Georgia has a rich history of covered bridges; many are still in existence today.
This weekend I rode to visit the Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge in Thomaston, GA. Designed by Dr. J. W. Herring in 1892 for the sum $1,194.98.
The bridge had a span of 96 feet between the stone piers and total length of 120 feet 9 inches. The Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge was designed using the Town Truss design, which was patented in 1820, by Ithiel Town of Connecticut.
The original bridge was the fourth bridge that stood at this site. The bridges here have also had several names including the Hootenville Bridge, Wilmont Bridge, and Respess Bridge because they took their name from the owners of the nearby mill.
In July 1994 tropical storm Alberto dumped 15 inches of rain onto the area in a single day and turned placid Auchumpkee Creek into a raging river. Washing a huge tree limb along like a battering ram, it knocked the Auchmpkee Creek Bridge from its stacked stone moorings and smashed it against the overpass on Allen Road, 30 yards downstream.
With more than $200,000 in federal disaster relief money, the Upson County Commission and Historic Preservation Commission were able to hire one of the few abiding covered-bridge craftsmen in America, Arnold M. Graton of Ashland, N.H. to re-create the bridge. In 1997, the Auchumpkee Creek Covered Bridge, now 96 feet in length, was completed.
This bridge is now closed to traffic. There is free parking at this site. Please see address below.
Location:
Allen Rd., Hwy. 80
Thomaston GA 30286
Safe riding,
Lolo
Motorcycle Riding Moms, LLC