Hiding within Greene County, Indiana, is a modern marvel that few seem to remember nowadays; it’s a stunning, 157-foot-high railroad trestle bridge, and despite having been constructed back in 1906, it’s still in use today. It may not look like much from a distance, but as you come closer, you can’t help but notice the intricacies in its engineering and the fascinating graffiti which graces it from decades of human civilization. It’s called the Tulip Trestle Bridge, and it’s the tallest bridge in Indiana! Check it out:
Though it’s known as Tulip Trestle, locals just call it “the Viaduct.”
David Wicks/Flickr Its official “name,” however, is Bridge X75-6.
It’s quite striking, garnering the attention of even folks who aren’t the least bit fascinated by bridges.
David Wicks/Flickr It consists of 17 75-foot desk-plate girder tower spans alternating with 18 40-foot girder tower spans, as well as two 50-foot spans at the western end, and two 45-foot spans at the eastern end.
It shows its age; rusty and paint-covered, it looms over the landscape, commanding the respect of all who stumble upon it during a walk.
Eli Duke/Flickr At the time of its construction, it totaled $246,504 - today, that would be about $3,425,764. It was quite an ambitious project, and it has certainly held up through varied tests of time.
Despite its less-than-sturdy appearance, the structure is remarkably sound.
Eli Duke/Flickr The rail is still considered “in operation” today, albeit at a much lesser rate than during its heyday in the 1920s and ’30s.
No matter which way you look at it - from above or from below - it’s sure to make you appreciate human engineering.
David Wicks/Flickr The graffiti adorning the structure has become something of a local meme. The most famous (or maybe infamous) piece is the simple words “MICHELLE, WILL YOU MARRY ME?” scrawled in the center of the trestle beneath the tracks.
We don’t know what Michelle said to this proposal, but we wish her the best.
Eli Duke/Flickr Tell her to get in touch with us about this engagement if you happen to know her!
Have you ever checked out the tallest bridge in Indiana? Did you walk across the top of it? Tell us about your adventures in the comments! For more of Indiana’s oddly intriguing bridges, check out this list of some of Indiana’s most epic covered bridges!
David Wicks/Flickr
Its official “name,” however, is Bridge X75-6.
It consists of 17 75-foot desk-plate girder tower spans alternating with 18 40-foot girder tower spans, as well as two 50-foot spans at the western end, and two 45-foot spans at the eastern end.
Eli Duke/Flickr
At the time of its construction, it totaled $246,504 - today, that would be about $3,425,764. It was quite an ambitious project, and it has certainly held up through varied tests of time.
The rail is still considered “in operation” today, albeit at a much lesser rate than during its heyday in the 1920s and ’30s.
The graffiti adorning the structure has become something of a local meme. The most famous (or maybe infamous) piece is the simple words “MICHELLE, WILL YOU MARRY ME?” scrawled in the center of the trestle beneath the tracks.
Tell her to get in touch with us about this engagement if you happen to know her!
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Address: Tulip Trestle, County Rd 480 E, Bloomfield, IN 47424, USA
