Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal Inc. has received a $10,000 grant from the Efroymson Fund a family trust administered by Central Indiana Community Foundation.

Dan McCain, president of the canal association, said the association's early efforts to retrieve the Winamac/Stearns truss iron bridge from Pulaski County had been recognized by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and then their endorsement of the restoration efforts helped win this $10,000 grant.

"With this money we will delve deeper into our rehabilitation of the 76 ft. long 1913 bridge," McCain said. "Volunteers have been working two-three days per week on 'pack rust' removal, riveting, loosening rusted turnbuckles, assessing metal restoration needs, and planning for the eventual re-erection of the bridge."

Next year, volunteers want to re-erect the historic span across the canal, the old-fashioned way with no cranes or modern hydraulic lifts. McCain said this would be the method used to put a bridge in place 100 years ago, using gin-poles and ingenuity.

"We have been consulting with Vern Mesler, a volunteer from Michigan who brings expert experience," McCain said. "He has guided and inspired us onsite in Delphi with his restoration techniques and background."

McCain said site preparation for the bridge will begin this fall behind Dairy Queen and Pizza Hut in west Delphi.

"We are well into the restoration of the chords and tightening rods," McCain said. "Our project needs time (about another year of labor by the volunteers) and donations. If you care to help out with our restoration of this one-of-a-kind treasure (no other known remaining in the US), then make out a check to the Wabash & Erie Canal Association, 1030 West Washington Street, Delphi, IN 46923."

"If anybody has some seasoned six-inch channel steel or wrought iron in one to three-foot pieces that we could have to repair the damaged chord members where heavy rust is taking its toll, please let us know," McCain said. He can be reached at 765564-6297.