Georgia was once full of covered bridges, most built between the late 1700 — 1800’s. Sadly decay, floods and even purposeful mutilation have done away with most of these treasures. There are less than 20 remaining in the state, but in 1997 the County of Rockdale boldly decided to add another to the numbers. Probably more popularly known as the Rockdale County Covered Bridge, it spans a full 150 feet over a historic ford where Mill Rock Creek is located. Jack Turner Dam was to be completed in 1998 to form a reservoir by impound the water from neighboring creeks and rivers. Engineers calculated the creek would swell from just a few inches deep to several feet, thus a bridge would be required. Nearby is also an old historic mill house, a general store, the old mill site and a blacksmith shop according to the Rockdale County website. However, the only visible buildings I saw south of the bridge were clearly marked with no trespassing signs. There is a trail on the north side of the bridge that allows for better side view pictures, but vegetation has grown enough to block most of the view except the very center of the span. FINALTHOUGHTS The County spent almost $ 900,000 completing the wooden bridge and designed it to look similar to other Town & Lattice styled bridges from the 1800’s. It took 248 cubic yards of concrete and 31,000 lbs of steel to form the base columns for the bridge. It utilized Georgia wood and labor in hopes of promoting new timber bridge technology. But after 17 short years, I could see some obvious wear on the bridge floor and need of repairs. Still, it’s a marvelous structure, even if it’s not exactly historic.
