Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The old iron bridge accepts only pedestrian traffic now, spanning the Tippecanoe River south of old U.S. 30 since 1891.
In her day, the Chinworth carried traffic from the old Lincoln Highway from CR 350W to 100S. Arriving in Kosciusko County from the Bellefontaine Bridge and Iron Co., Ohio, she was closed to vehicular traffic in 1970.
Soon, though, through the efforts of the Kosciusko County Historical Society and a $43,300 Build Indiana Grant earmarked for her rehabilitation, the bridge will enjoy new life as the trailhead to the Lake City Greenway.
The 140-foot iron single-span bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and was recently showcased in an Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation of Archaeology, calendar.
The Chinworth's stringers (the horizontal bars reaching the length of the bridge) and support beams are corroding, according to Neal Carlson, a historical society member.
Bids will be let later this fall to refurbish the bridge with the Build Indiana funds.
The structure's bright red color will be retained and the walkway, currently surfaced with lumpy asphalt, will be relaid.
In addition to the society's sponsorship, 20 percent matching funds were donated by R.R. Donnelley and Sons, National City Bank, Century 21 Foundation and the Kosciusko County Foundation.
Just east of the Chinworth, the Warsaw Kiwanis Club and the Kosciusko County Foundation have installed a picnic shelter that completes the Trailhead Park.
From the Chinworth Bridge the bike/pedestrian trail will travel along the north side of the City-County Athletic Complex and along the R.R. Donnelley property, cross the Marsh Ditch and enter Dewamac Park.
Another historic bridge, owned by Tom Groninger and built by the Elkhart Bridge and Iron Co., was installed on Packerton Road in 1915. It will be placed at the Marsh Ditch crossing. The 10-foot-wide path will travel up the east side of the park and cross the ditch again and continue onto property owned by Zimmer Inc.
A separate path will be constructed on the west side of Zimmer Road up to Center Street, follow Market Street and cross the bridge over Walnut Creek.
At the Market Street/Center Street intersection, the bike path will follow the CSX Railroad track to the Train Depot. The path splits past Lake Street where the alleys are divided for one-way traffic.
The path will turn east at Pope Street, north at Grant Street and follow Winona Avenue and enter Winona Lake.
