Elizabethton Covered Bridge

The Elizabethton Covered Bridge is a convert|134|ft|m|adj=on covered bridge over the Doe River in Elizabethton, the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee. It was built in 1882 and connects 3rd Street and Hattie Avenue, and is adjacent to a significant city park area.

Features

Structurally, the covered bridge contains one span, a covered wooden Howe Truss (typically constructed of timber diagonals and iron verticals) that is convert|137|ft|m long. The total length is convert|154.3|ft|m. The covered bridge contains one traffic lane and a single walkway. The curb-to-curb width is convert|16.4|ft|m and the out-to-out width is convert|20.4|ft|m. The substructure is masonry, stone, and concrete. Each end of the bridge features a projecting truncated gabled roofline.

While allowing for pedestrian and bicycle transit over the Doe River, the Elizabethton Covered Bridge is now closed to motor vehicle traffic.

History

As the county seat, Elizabethton grew throughout the 1800s. However, Lynn Mountain hemmed it in to the east and the Watauga River lay to the north. The Doe River flooded often and limited growth to the south. To span westward, to the site of the current downtown, the city would need a bridge over the Doe River. After extensive debate, in 1882 the Carter County Court approved $3,000 for the bridge and $300 for approaches. The court appointed a committee to select a site for the bridge. However, the committee encountered an unexpected problem — the men could not find a qualified contractor to erect the bridge.

After county officials were unable to find a bridge contractor, a local doctor, E.E. Hunter, accepted the contract and hired experienced people to work on the bridge. Hunter selected Thomas Matson, who had been an engineer for the narrow gauge Tweetsie Railroad as an engineer and architect. Hunter referred to the bridge as his "$5 bridge" since he made a profit of $5 as contractor.

Although logs from a lumber operation and a barn were thrown against the covered bridge and its supports during a disastrous flood in 1901, this was the only major bridge in the area to survive.

Historic place

As part of downtown Elizabethton, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Elizabethton Covered Bridge is a focal point and a well-known landmark in Tennessee.

References

* [http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/bridges/existing/Elizabethtonbridge.htm Elizabethton Covered Bridge] , Tennessee Department of Transportation
* [http://www.tourelizabethton.com/scenic-historic/ Doe River Covered Bridge at Elizabethton, Tennessee] , Carter County/Elizabethton Tourism