The Moscow covered bridge was built by E.L. Kennedy in 1886.  It was one of the longest covered bridges in existence, measuring 345 feet long, 15 feet 6 inches wide, and had an arch of 13 feet 6 inches.  It was also the only bridge to have lattice ventilators on the sides, and was especially famous for its Burr Arches.  The small town of Moscow, Indiana (located in Rush County on county road 650 W), was shaped around the bridge.  The bridge held the heart and history of the town, and a yearly festival had been held since 1986 to celebrate the bridge and the ancestors of those who built it.  The bridge was restored in 1990 and again in 2002, when a rededication ceremony was held at the festival and the descendants of E.L. Kennedy were honored in a ceremony. 

 

On June 3, 2008, a tornado--rated by the NWS as an EF-3--swept through Moscow.  In its wake were 13 Rush County homes destroyed, a historic Moscow school damaged, and the bridge--to many the heart of the town--destroyed.  The façade from the end was intact (although on the ground), and pieces were scattered around, bust most of the bridge was in the Flat Rock river.  Steel cables were strung across and attached to the debris to prevent it from being washed downstream.

Inmates from two separate Indiana corrections facilities have volunteered their various expertise in recovering pieces of and beginning to rebuild the bridge.  State and Federal Aid will cover 80% of the costs to rebuild the bridge.  However, the last 20% must be funded by the county.  The last estimates we heard for the restoration was $3-$4 million.  This bridge was a treasure not just for the community of Moscow, but for Rush county for Indiana, and especially for the descendents of E.L. Kennedy.  I am one of those descendents.  I have been going to the festival for as long as I can remember.  When I found out that the bridge had been destroyed, I felt as though I had just been told a family member was dead.  Still, a month and a half later, I can’t believe its gone.  It is so important to me, the rest of the Kennedy descendents, and the community that the bridge be rebuild so visitors and residents alike can once again enjoy its serenity and beauty. 

The MainSource Bank has set up a special fund for the restoration efforts.  If you would like to donate to this effort, your contribution can be delivered to any MainSource Bank location  or mailed to:

Moscow Covered Bridge Restoration Fund
c/o MainSource Bank
P.O. box 249
Rushville, IN  46173

Checks should be made payable to “Moscow Covered Bridge Restoration Fund” or “MCBRF”.  Thank you all.