Midland Bridge over the White River to be disassembled & stored at Conner Prairie as part of the Reimagine Pleasant Street project
The City of Noblesville and Conner Prairie have formed a partnership to store the historic Midland Bridge over the White River at the outdoor history museum, a critical step in Noblesville’s efforts to preserve the bridge.
The bridge is being removed as part of Reimagine Pleasant Street – a transformative project that will enhance mobility through Noblesville and increase trail connectivity to create a safe, vibrant corridor for residents to drive, walk, or bike to the city’s downtown.
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Construction crews have begun the complex process of disassembling, inspecting, and cataloging the bridge onsite in consultation with Indiana’s State Historic Preservation Officer and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Once this work is completed, the bridge will be transported to Conner Prairie for storage. Plans for the final destination of the refurbished, reassembled bridge are still being developed.
“We’re proud to play a role in preserving the Midland Bridge over the White River,” Conner Prairie President and CEO Norman Burns. “This bridge is part of our shared history as Noblesville, Hamilton County, and the Conner House celebrate bicentennials this year. Being part of preserving our community’s transportation and river history is an example of Conner Prairie’s core values in action – a heart for the past, head for the present, and an eye to the future.”
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The historic structure carried the Midland Railway over the White River. Portions of the bridge were fabricated by the Union Bridge Company of Buffalo, N.Y., and Athens, Pa., in 1893. The bridge was eventually used by the Central Indiana Railway Company. The two-span steel through truss bridge is approximately 200 feet long and spanned the White River just west of downtown Noblesville.
“Conner Prairie was a logical choice for storage as it is a special place dedicated to history,” Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen said. “Not only is it in Hamilton County, but it will provide an up-close opportunity to see a historic railroad bridge. We’re excited to partner with Conner Prairie to preserve this critical part of our shared history.”
Learn more about Reimagine Project at ReimaginePleasantSt.com.
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The bridge is junk and needs to go to Lusco. Whos paying for the dismantling, refurbish, and reassembling ? Read the article by Adam Aasen “why Carmel is great”. Come on Noblesville lets move ahead.
Your total disregard for an historic structure is sad, and your aggressive expression of disdain for those who would preserve examples of the engineering accomplishments of past generations is downright rude.
The small price paid to preserve an important part of our transportation heritage is a drop in a bucket, especially when compared to the egregious price tag on this questionable new road.
It is narrow-minded to only look forward, without being able to look back.
Your historic structure is a railroad bridge, and its in the way of real progress for the people of Noblesville. I can see the city is up against non progressives which will make it hard the city to modernize.
The Midland bridge will likely be used when Conor Prairie & the City of Carmel develop the SW corner of 146th & White river, the plans indicate a bridge over the river connecting east & west portions.
Noblesville should pay very close attention to any new bridge structures downstream of the City.
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