4-Way Bridge
4-Way Bridge
A four-way bridge is one with a four-way intersection that runs across it. The Four-Way Bridge is located on the Sullivan-Greene County line. White Rose Road crosses the bridge from the east and west, while County Line Road intersects from the north and south. Underneath the bridge Black Creek and Hamilton Ditch (often referred to as Goose Pond Creek)) also intersect. A functional bridge that would safely cross this unusual combination of roads and water-ways resulted in a great engineering feat.
The Four-Way Bridge was built around 1920. The bridge had solid concrete sides. It cost about $6,000 to build, but today it would cost about $13,500 to repair. Although the bridge is falling apart with the foundation cracking and graffiti covering it, the Four-Way Bridge still has several distinguishing features such as its impressive span and its drainage function. Besides simply providing a way to get across these bodies of water, the Four-Way Bridge also helps keep the water level under control. It does this because it was designed not only to cross but also to drain the Black Creek and Goose Pond lowlands.
The Four-Way Bridge is also important as a landmark used by many area residents to give and understand directions as it is far more easily distinguished than more commonplace points of interest such as buildings or roads. The Four-Way Bridge has achieved its fair share of notoriety and not just in local newspapers. It has been featured in many newspapers in the "Ripley’s Believe It or Not" column. Its unusual span and functions not only make it an excellent and useful bridge but also gain it a taste of fame.
These facts about the Four-Way Bridge all help to account for the bridge’s success and importance to the area. However, other things also make this bridge important. To the people who live in the area near the Four-Way Bridge, it is more than a landmark or a way to get across two bodies of water. It is a way of life. Fisherman come from other states to fish the lakes surrounding the Four-Way Bridge. This fishing and the Four-Way Bridge have combined to create a thriving local enterprise dealing in fishing equipment. And where is the best place to pick up some bait and a great home-cooked breakfast? That’s right--the Four-Way Bridge Bait Shop!
This information was used with permission from the Linton-Stockton School Corporation.
Pictures can be found in our photogallery.
