Moscow is a small village located 10 miles southwest of the county seat of Rushville. I made a separate page of it because of the rebuilding of the covered bridge. I was there the day the second span was to be placed but the workmen didn't show so I may not have very many stages to show. If not I will place them in the Rural category.
Page 1
Site of the Destroyed Covered Bridge
As many people know by now, the covered bridge at Moscow was destroyed by a tornado on June 3, 2008. This three span 345′ bridge was one of the longest and probably the darkest in the state. It is to be rebuilt using old and new materials. This photo is looking northeast from Moscow.
Site of the Destroyed Covered Bridge
Looking southwest toward Moscow from the bridge abutment. It was impossible to get a good photo of this bridge, too much foliage and you couldn’t get far enough from it. It seemed a very dark tunnel that would magically transfer you from a town to the middle of nowhere, this was my feeling many years ago when I first visited it.
These photos were taken on July 21, 2009, well over a year after the tornado and the debris was cleaned up.
The Flatrock River at the Bridge Site
This view from the northeast abutment shows the Flatrock River. It appears so strange as this was so dense and dark from the trees and growth. I spend several mornings just enjoying the view and the sounds of the river among the quite of the area. Only one span of the bridge could be photographed, it just simply seemed to defy anyone of taking a great photo of it.
My ink drawing of the old bridge was among my very earliest drawings and I sold many prints of it. It is sort of like losing an old friend and I am glad to hear that it is going to be rebuilt. Not quite the same but wonderful that it is being done. It will take a long time for the area to heal somewhat and I wish everyone the best.
Moscow Covered Bridge
Here is the first span of the new/old Moscow covered bridge in place! It happened on April 29th, five days before this photo was taken. I had a feeling the night before to go check how they were coming along but I went somewhere else. I sure would have liked capturing those moments. Before the tornado you would not have been able to see any of the bridge from this view point. This view is looking toward Moscow.
Moscow Covered Bridge
Another view zoomed in toward Moscow for a closer look. From what I have read, about 40% of the bridge will consist of the old timbers.
Moscow Covered Bridge
Another view of the span from the town of Moscow. This view was taken on May 4, 2010.
The Second Span Being Constructed
The second span and the longer of the two being constructed nearby.
Moscow Covered Bridge
On July 2, nearly two months after the my last visit when I took the photos shown above, I felt I should stop by here and check the progress. Two old farmers that had been there since early morning told me that according the newspapers the second span was to set. By noon nobody had come to do so. This is one of the photos I took and thought I would add it to the collection.
I will probably be back in later in September, hopefully there will be new progress on this bridge.
Moscow Covered Bridge - Latest Photos
This photo was taken on the morning of September 17, 2010. It appears two painters are putting on the finishing touches. The grand ceremony is to take place on September 25th. This view is looking to the west toward Moscow.
A side view of whole bridge, something you couldn't do before the tornado. I will return in the autumn hopefully and take many photos. Sure is good to have her back!