As you drive down Greensboro Highway and turn on to Elder Mill Road, you’ll notice a peculiar wooden structure that lies ahead. What you’ve just discovered isn’t some abandoned cabin in the woods. It’s the Elder Mill Covered Bridge.
If you’re a native to Oconee County you’ve probably seen, heard of, or encountered the Elder Mill Bridge in some form or fashion. It’s listed on the Oconee Tourism website as one of the best things to visit in Oconee County. Its photo is frequently plastered on flyers highlighting Oconee County’s unique historical roots. We even included an artistic rendition of the Bridge in our OSB Calendar for 2020.
Its unique appearance might be familiar, but its deep historical roots are the thing that make this bridge one of Oconee County’s most iconic spots.
Nathaniel Richardson built the bridge in 1897, hoping to better connect Watkinsville and Athens. Richardson built the bridge without using steel beams, a difficult task at the time. Instead Richardson relied on a technique known as Lattice Truss Form, developed by Ithiel Town in 1820. This technique relies on a large number of small, interwoven planks to support the weight of the object passing over the bridge.
The bridge connected Watkinsville and Athens until 1924, when it was moved to its current resting spot on Elder Road. The new location connected Highway 15 to the Elder family’s mill, and thus the name “Elder Mill Covered Bridge” was born. The Elders have lived in Oconee County for more than 200 years. David Elder served in the Revolutionary War. As repayment for his war efforts he was granted land in Oconee County. You can find a memorial to David Elder just down the road at the Elder Cemetery.
The bridge sat largely idle for years. Its wooden structure faced rot and termite damage that ultimately rendered the bridge unsafe for traffic by 1974. Recognizing the historical significance the bridge possessed, an Oconee resident asked Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter for funds to repair the bridge. Carter sent $2,500 to restore the bridge to working condition.
Today the Elder Mill Covered Bridge is one of Georgia’s 13 covered bridges. Its intricate array of wooden
beams possess over 120 years of history that make it one of Oconee County’s most unique spots!
Want to learn more about the Elder Mill Covered Bridge?
Sources: VisitOconee, Explore Georgia