SCCF Director of Development Jacque Ryan (center) pictured presenting Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund grant check to Knox Gateway members Steve Dodge, Mayor Dennis Estok, Jeff Houston, Van Janovic, Melba Shilling and Brenda Palmer
Bridge No. 39, more commonly known as the walking bridge into Wythogan Park in Knox, moved closer to an inspection funding goal this week with help from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund.
The bridge is on the National Historic Registry and is the last of its kind in Indiana. It was built in 1915 and was placed on 1100 E. near Oak Grove at that time. It was taken from that location in 1992 to where it currently resides at the corner of Main and Water Streets in Knox. It acts as a walking bridge for residents to access Wythogan Park.
The 104-foot bridge is in need of inspection and maintenance in order to keep up with preservation efforts. The total cost for such a project is about $15,000 and the Knox Gateway, Inc. representatives started a fundraising campaign to complete that inspection. The Knox Gateway, Inc., a vision of the late Jim Shilling, acts to beautify the entrances to Knox, as well as maintain the county’s remaining historic structures.
After hearing that there were plans in the works to have Starke County’s historic bridge inspected and renovated, the donor-advisor of the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund with the Starke County Community Foundation was eager to help provide funding to help realize those goals, especially considering Jim Hardesty’s engagement with historic preservation and community improvement efforts during his lifetime.
As a result, Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development Jacque Ryan presented the organization with a $6,600 grant from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund to assist with the cost of the inspection. The presentation was held Friday, November 19.
Fundraising efforts continue toward payment of the inspection. Donors may contribute toward the Knox Gateway’s fundraising efforts by learning more on the organization’s Facebook page, by emailing knoxgateway@gmail.com.
