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or the first time in more than five years all Sitton said Smith Construction went “above and three of Blount County’s historic covered beyond” all his expectations in restoring the bridges bridges – Easley Bridge, Horton Mill Bridge and that all three are today in better shape now than and Swann Bridge – are again open to traffic follow- they have been for decades. ing major renovations. According to Sharon Murphree, president of Repairs were completed to Swann and Easley Friends of the Covered Bridges of Blount County, bridges last fall and those single-lane wooden spans there were once a total of 13 covered bridges within were reopened in October. Horton Mill Bridge re- Blount County’s borders. opened March 11. All three remaining bridges are of the same design These are the last three historic covered bridges and construction – called “Townley Truss” - and all in the state that carry daily traffic and are all within were built between 1927 and 1935 by Zelmar Tidwell a few minutes drive of each other. This makes the and his 15-man crew. The timber to build the bridges historic bridges a perfect destination for a one-day was felled and the lumber milled in the areas nearby outing from most places in Alabama. each site. Blount County Sitton explained has for years prothat the wide planks moted itself as the arrayed in a diago“Covered Bridge nal, criss-cross patCapital of Alatern along the sides bama,” but the title of these bridges rang hollow while carry the weight, all three of its reunlike later designs maining bridges which support the were closed in reweight using a steel cent years. framework overThe problems head or concrete started in the sumunderneath. The mer of 2007 when roofs of the covered vandals damaged bridges were needCloseup of the Easley Bridge construction. ed to keep rain and Horton Mill Bridge, located off Alabama weather off these Highway 75 a few miles north of the county seat in supporting timbers to prevent rotting, he said. Each Oneonta, forcing officials to close it for safety reasons. of the bridges has a metal roof similar to a barn roof, When 2009 inspections of Swann and Easley bridges plus metal covering the side timbers. found structural problems these were also closed for The design has proven to be a good one. All three safety reasons. bridges have been in almost daily use for more than A long process followed of first soliciting grants three quarters of a century. Certainly few non-covto fund repairs, letting bids and awarding a contract ered bridges built in the 1930s are still in use today. for the needed repairs. The $469,000 construction Blount County hosts a Covered Bridge Festival contract to renovate all three bridges went to Bob each fall which includes driving tours to all three Smith Construction of Trussville. The total cost bridges as well as other events. A “Covered Bridge for all repairs to all the bridges was approximately Trail” (see map on Page 14) gives visitors clear and $540,000, including the county’s expenditures and easy-to-follow directions to each of the three bridges. federal money from the National Historic Covered Most visitors will want to begin their covered Bridge Preservation Program and Transportation En- bridge tour at either Swann Bridge or Horton Mill hancement Funds, Blount County Engineer Winston Bridge, because Easley Bridge is roughly halfway beSitton said. tween the two.
These are the last three historic covered bridges in the state that carry daily traffic and are all within a few minutes’ drive of each other.
Below: The 330-foot Swann Bridge serves as the backdrop for these kayakers. Left: Picturesque Easley Bridge spans a swiftly moving creek.
Alabama Living
may 2013 13