Covered Bridges of Atlanta

Bridges of Madison County inspired post! Okay, so it’s not Bridges of Fulton County, because that would be inaccurate for our purposes, but you get the gist. Covered bridges inspire romanticism, as seen in classic film mentioned in the first line, but also perform(ed) a necessary function. Some of these bridges are a testament to days past while others are every bit part of modern transportation. So, let’s take a look at 5 covered bridges of the metro Atlanta, Georgia area!

Haralson Mill Covered Bridge
Status: In use – quiet area with minimal traffic
Access: There is a small pull off just ahead of the bridge. You can park here and walk down the trail to get a side view of the bridge or just walk straight to it. The trail also leads out to the creek and has a picnic table.
About: Built in 1997, this is the youngest covered bridge in the state. Unlike the other bridges, this one has 2 lanes. It’s a lot of fun to walk through actually, you get a nice view of Big Haynes Creek through the intricate wooden lattice. It may not be antique but it definitely would fit in with the other features!

Euharlee Creek Covered Bridge
Status: Out of use
Access: There is a gravel parking lot next to a free museum that is by the bridge. You can walk down to the creek from either side.
About: There are no peekaboo designs here looking out at the creek, which is probably good that you don’t have to worry about cars when walking through. Built in 1886, Euharlee Bridge was front row to horse drawn carriages post civil war reconstruction. If these walls could talk!

 

Poole’s Mill Covered Bridge
Status: Out of use
Access: Tucked into the woods, you’ll come upon this bridge after following a trail from a park’s parking lot in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot off an empty road. 
About: While it’s in a peaceful setting, the history here is anything but. The bridge was part of a grist mill landscape owned by Cherokee Chief George Welch around 1820. A slight against American history began in 1838 as the Native Americans were forced from their homes and onto the Trail of Tears out west. Chief Welch’s land was sold and in 1880 came into the hands of Dr. Pool. After being abandoned in 1947, the mill burned down in 1959. The bridge, however, had been washed away in 1899. The current installment was built in 1901. Now there are several picnic tables along the riverbanks for great views. This was also the covered bridge with the loudest, most active water where there was even a group of kids playing.

Concord Covered Bridge
Status: In use – main thoroughfare on busy road
Access: There is a tight squeeze spot for 1 car next to the entrance. There’s a private residence immediately to the right of the spot but across the street is the grist mill.
About: I came at a busy time of day so there was no time or space to enjoy it. This bridge is so busy that cars wait on either side for others to go through. Making it up to go through takes quite a while as the traffic is no joke, which makes the title of Busiest Covered Bridge In Georgia very fitting. There’s been a bridge on this spot over Nickajack Creek since the 1840s but after being rebuilt a couple of times, this specific edition is dated 1891.

Stone Mountain Bridge
Status: In use – lightly to a small parking lot
Access: To see this bridge, you must already have a pass to Stone Mountain Park. To get there, you must drive past the main and skylift parking lots and continue going until you see signs for covered bridge. Like the last one, this too is nestled in the woods so you will drive around a pavilion and continue on. There’s no great side view but there is a 3 car parking lot at the entrance.
About: It’s so far in the park that there’s no cars around. The inside of the bridge is only 1 lane but they make sure to give pedestrians space by the walls. On the other side is a parking lot for people who want to take the walking trail or have a picnic on one of the many tables by the water. Like some of the antebellum homes at Stone Mountain, this bridge is not from here. Originally from Athens, this it was built in 1891 for almost $2,500 and moved 60 miles in 1969 at a cost of $18k.

All of the covered bridges seen here are free to visit and walk through. These fine bridges are actually listed here in the order by which I visited them. It took 3 tries to get to Stone Mountain Bridge, the last time being a couple of weeks ago when I was told a movie was being filmed there and it was off limits. Keep on the lookout for it on the big screen!

Are you a fan of any type of bridge? Tell me if there’s a particular type you’d like to see featured! Find me on Facebook and Instagram for more photos of these lovely covered bridges and budget friendly things to do!

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