CARL E. FEATHER / Star Beacon
ROBERT BENSON stands in front of the Graham Road Covered Bridge, which, thanks to his donation of land, was saved from destruction in 1971. His grandfather built the bridge on Graham Road in 1913, using the timbers from another bridge.
Graham Road bridge has traveling in its old timbers
By CARL E. FEATHER - Staff Writer - cfeather@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
With all that family connection, it’s easy to understand why Benson offered to donate the land. Well into his 80s, he still mows the grass around the bridge and takes pride in its history and appearance. He says a day seldom passes that the bridge does not get at least one visitor, and on Covered Bridge Festival weekend, he has had as many as 150 motorcyclists stop at one time.
He can think of at least seven or eight weddings that have been held in the bridge, including a New Year’s Day ceremony when the temperature was around zero. Bob assists with events at the bridge by running a power cord to the structure if electricity is needed.
He says most of the bridge visitors are considerate of his property. “Once in a while during Covered Bridge Festival, you’ll find people who assume the whole property belongs to them,” he says.
Benson says the fishing hole around the new bridge draws people to the little park, as well.
“There was a fellow who parked up on top of the hill and pulled in so his truck was facing the bridge,” Benson says. “He didn’t put the truck in gear, and it rolled down the hill and hit the abutment (of the new bridge).”
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