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The Bell Ford Bridge will find its permanent home in Geist Park in Fishers in early September, with final completion scheduled for spring 2025.
The bridge is scheduled to be moved from Fishers Parks’ AgriPark, where it was reconstructed, to Hamilton County Parks and Recreation’s Geist Park, less than a quarter mile away, on September 5 and 6. During the relocation, Florida Road will be closed from 113th Street to Martha Street. Access to properties in the affected area will be maintained while the bridge is being relocated.
Built in 1869, the Bell Ford Bridge originally came from Seymour, Indiana, in Jackson County. It allowed people to cross the White River for about 100 years until it was deemed unsafe. A storm destroyed half of the structure, and the other half collapsed into the White River in 2006.
The Bell Ford Bridge, which originally spanned the White River in Jackson County, has been restored and will soon be permanently installed at Geist Park in Fishers. (Photo provided by Hamilton County Parks & Recreation)
Fortunately, the pieces of the bridge were recovered from the river and stored in a barn in Jackson County by a bridge historian and engineer. In 2018, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt and Hamilton County Parks and Recreation worked with the Jackson County Commissioners to acquire the bridge. The pieces of the historic bridge were then stored at the Hamilton County Jail. Six years after the bridge was acquired, it will finally be placed in Geist Park and used as a pedestrian and bike path, completing part of the Geist Greenway Trail. The bridge will serve as the focal point of Geist Park, making it an attractive destination for visitors.
The Bell Ford Bridge is of historical significance as the only combined post-truss bridge in the world and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2005. It has been reassembled using most of its original components, but modified to suit its new location and purpose. The bridge will not be as long or wide as it originally was, but the historic integrity of the structure will be preserved.
The project will cost approximately $7.5 million, with nearly $3 million coming from federal funds. This project was made possible through the collaboration of several agencies, including the Hamilton County Highway Department, Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department, Jackson County, the City of Fishers, INDOT and Duke Energy.
Stice
“The construction of the Bell Ford Bridge in Geist Park is a tremendous accomplishment made possible by the efforts of many partners,” said Chris Stice, Hamilton County Parks Director. “We are pleased that this historic structure will become a new landmark that the community can enjoy for years to come.”
The construction of the Bell Ford Bridge is one of several upgrades Geist Park will receive. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation plans to upgrade the restrooms and shelter and add more parking.
Geist Park is a great destination for nature lovers and offers hiking trails, wetlands and prairie areas, fishing spots, a canoe launch and a playground. The new facilities will allow even more visitors to enjoy this beautiful place.
