Covered Bridges Cross North Georgia

By John Dalton

North Georgia is fortunate to have nearly 70% of the State’s 16 covered bridges spanning its rivers and creeks. Eleven of Georgia’s 16 covered bridges are located north of Interstate 20. All of these “wooden wonders” are restored and refurbished to original builders’ standards and practices of the time and include many of the original timbers and planks.

I recently took a short day trip from West Cobb up to Bartow County to see the Euharlee Bridge located some eight miles west of Cartersville. Like other bridge locations, the 138-foot long crossing of the Euharlee Creek is off the beaten path, which allows for a picturesque setting and refuge from encroaching development. Somehow, these gentle giants always seem to be at one with nature, and their surroundings.

Located adjacent to the bridge are many restored buildings from the 1840s through the 1860s, including a museum, livery, commissary, boarding house and a general store. The museum is housed in a restored cow shed. Along the creek are ruins of an old mill.

The Euharlee Bridge, using the wooden-latticetruss- support design, one of four different types of bridge design, was built in 1886 by a son of a freed slave, Washington W. King. His design became both popular and widespread due to its strength. There are seven covered bridges in Georgia using this design. Two other bridges built by Mr. King are the Stone Mountain Bridge and the graceful-looking 228-foot long Watson Mill Bridge.

The Euharlee Bridge actually replaced two others that fell apart due to a less robust design of the bridge and supporting pillars.

Three “bridges of yesteryear” are located in Northwest Georgia: Concord Bridge (no parking) in Cobb, Euharlee in Bartow and Poole’s Mill in Forsyth.

Why were they covered? Well, the original intent was to protect the bridge from the weather, but there was an added bonus in that a strong roof and sides actually helped support the bridge’s massive weight. Incidentally, railroad bridges were almost always built without a roof and sides because the hot ashes and sparks from the trains’ smokestack could cause a fire.

The museum at Euharlee is closed on weekends, but you can call ahead to the City Hall (770- 386-7542) to request special tours.

A good source for covered bridge info and helpful websites that provide locations, maps and descriptions is to search “Georgia’s covered bridges” or “north Georgia’s covered bridges” on Google.

This one covered bridge I will definitely revisit in the fall. 

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John Dalton lives in Powder Springs, GA.