Travel

Alamachee

The Alamuchee Bridge now rests on the campus of the University of West Alabama in Livingston. Records reflect that in the Civil War, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest used this facility to move forces from Mississippi into Alabama. Folklore has it that the bridge was used as a gallows to hang convicted horse thief Stephen Renfroe, who was serving as the county sheriff when arrested.

Clarkson-Legg

Constructed in 1908, the Clarkson-Legg bridge spans a massive 250 feet across the gorge of Crooked Creek in Cullman County, named for James Woodrow Legg who provided all materials for the bridge. Legg was the local mail carrier who, better than anyone else, realized the need for a bridge.

Coldwater

Spanning Coldwater Creek just west of Oxford, the Coldwater Bridge was constructed in 1850 of heart pine, as were most covered bridges. Thus, the bridge was a prime target for vandals and arsonists. A valiant effort to save this cherished piece of history was made several years ago by relocating it to Oxford Park just off Interstate 20. Traces of the original dam and mill can still be recognized at the original site on Coldwater Creek.

Easley

Blount County has always been known for an abundant storehouse of covered bridges with a "Covered Bridge Festival" each October. The festival attracts several hundred tourists with musical acts and arts and crafts. This year's event will be October 25 and 26. The Easley Bridge, built in 1927, is the oldest of the remaining covered bridges of Blount County.

Gilliland

Originally located on Gilliland Plantation, the bridge was relocated with the help of private funds to Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden. Local lore has it that during the age of horse and buggy, a couple met a preacher on the Gilliland Bridge after traveling to Gadsden to purchase a marriage license. They continued on their journey after being married by their new-found preacher friend.

Horton Mill

The Horton Mill Bridge was constructed in 1935 to connect the deep gorge created by the Warrior River in Blount County. The Horton is the highest covered bridge above a stream ever constructed in the U.S. Named for the family who operated the local grist mill for many years, the bridge is said by family members to have taken "15 men working sun up to sun down for 18 months" to build.

Kymulga

No better example of a restored historic and maintained bridge and mill facility exist than the Kymulga Mill and Bridge owned by the city of Childersburg. Built in 1861, the Kymulga straddles Talladega Creek.

Visitors can watch corn milled as it was more than 100 years ago on genuine stones driven by water power.

Oakachoy

Although in very poor condition, the Oakachoy Bridge of Coosa County still stands. Originally built to connect the two county seats of Coosa and Tallapoosa counties, the Oakachoy provided a vital link to remote areas in central Alabama.

Salem-Shotwell

The Salem-Shotwell Bridge of Lee County spans Wacooche Creek and was designed to link the communities of Salem and Shotwell. Unique in design, this bridge is the only Alabama bridge constructed with hand-carved oak pegs.

Swann-Joy

At 324 feet long, the Swann-Joy Bridge has the longest span of a surviving covered bridge in Alabama. It crosses the Warrior River at Locust Fork in Blount County. Very popular with visitors and picnickers, this bridge is aptly named for the Swann family on whose farm it was initially built to link the Swann and Joy communities.

Waldo

The 1858 Waldo Bridge in Talladega County across Talladega Creek is the primary attraction of the town of Waldo. In somewhat a poor state, the bridge is picturesque, and sits with a restored mill facility and restaurant on Alabama 77 about 8 miles south of Talladega.

Saunders Family

The Saunders Family Bridge is privately owned and not advertised. It is well maintained and rests on the north end of Lake Lura Lee and is part of the Twin Pines Resort and Conference Center in Shelby County.