Elder Mill Covered Bridge, Oconee County - Covered Bridges on Waymarking.com

Here, mills were an important gathering place where local news and gossip could be exchanged while farmers had their products prepared for consumption or market. A area mill, Elder's, was near Rose Creek, a local creek that would experience "freshets" every spring. The river would rise and occasionally take the bridge downstream.

In 1924 the old covered bridge in Watkinsville along the Watkinsville-Athens Road was going to be rebuilt as a more sturdy concrete and steel structure. Road crews were building what would soon become Highway 441. The covered bridge being used was only 25 years old and still in good condition, so it was moved to handle traffic to the mill across Rose Creek. The road was rerouted, and customers found it easy to get to Elder's Mill, which is near the bridge (on private property). There is an old cemetery in the area as well.

For 27 years the bridge provided access to the mill, which closed in 1941. During Jimmy Carter's term as governor the bridge was rebuilt, according to signage on the bridge.

Current Condition of Bridge: Really good Web Address: [Web Link] Description of Covered Bridge: Constructed in 1897 in the town lattice style, the bridge originally spanned Calls Creek on the Watkinsville-Athens Road and was moved by wagon to its present location by John Chandler of Watkinsville in 1924. Recently restored, it is one of only a few bridges in Georgia that still carries traffic without help from underlying steel beams. Local community support is in evidence at the site with the Watkinsville Garden Club's planting at the East end of the bridge. A neighbor decorates the bridge with Christmas lights every December. Year Built: 1897/01/01 Location (Road - City - State - Country): Off of Hwy 15 Parking (If not at the bridge):: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   11/04/2009 Lat34North visited it 12/30/2008 dlooney visited it

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