Dunn’s Bridge

​Dunn’s Bridge was built by a farmer named J.D. Dunn and Lane Bridge & Iron Works Company, although the construction date is unknown. It is commonly rumored that the bridge was built in the mid-1890’s using pieces from the original Ferris Wheel, which premiered in the 1893 Columbian World’s Fair in Chicago. Unfortunately, this is untrue, since the arches are not concentric, and they flatten out at the top. In addition, the 1893 Ferris Wheel was disassembled and moved to the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. On May 11, 1906, the Ferris Wheel was demolished using dynamite and the pieces were sold as scrap. Interestingly, metal tests suggest that the trusses did come from the same foundry that cast the Ferris Wheel.

Other sources argue that the trusses are salvaged roof trusses from the Administration Building at the 1893 Columbian​ World’s Fair, which is much more likely. The arched sway bracing and arched lattice approach railing were likely salvaged from the same building. Still other sources say the trusses were salvaged from the Indiana Building at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. However, the bridge predates this expo.

In 1915, the middle 60 feet of the 180-foot-long bridge was removed to allow passage of the McWilliams dredge. This section of bridge was removed, swung to the bank of the river, then replaced after the passage of the dredge.

By the 1980’s, the bridge had fallen into disrepair. It was purchased by Porter County Parks and Recreation in 1994, and was restored in the early 2000’s.