Swann Bridge: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Swann Bridge.JPG|right|thumb|375px|Swann Bridge in September 2004]] | [[Image:Swann Bridge.JPG|right|thumb|375px|Swann Bridge in September 2004]] | ||
[[Image:Entrance_to_Swann_Bridge.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Entrance to Swann Bridge in Nov. 2012. Photo by Robert Matthews.]] | |||
The '''Swann Bridge''' (sometimes called '''Joy Bridge''' or '''Swann-Joy Bridge''') is, at 324 feet, the longest covered bridge in Alabama. Completed in [[1933]] with its roadbed about 27 feet above the water, the triple-span traverses the waters of the [[Locust Fork River|Locust Fork]] of the [[Black Warrior River]] just below [[Bullard Shoal]] and above [[Big Scirum Creek]]. The bridge was constructed to provide access to the [[Joy]] community from [[Swann Farm]]. | The '''Swann Bridge''' (sometimes called '''Joy Bridge''' or '''Swann-Joy Bridge''') is, at 324 feet, the longest covered bridge in Alabama. Completed in [[1933]] with its roadbed about 27 feet above the water, the triple-span traverses the waters of the [[Locust Fork River|Locust Fork]] of the [[Black Warrior River]] just below [[Bullard Shoal]] and above [[Big Scirum Creek]]. The bridge was constructed to provide access to the [[Joy]] community from [[Swann Farm]]. | ||
Swann Bridge is located on [[Swann Bridge Road]] near [[Alabama Highway 79]] just west of [[Cleveland]]. it is one of three remaining covered bridges in Blount County, all built by [[Forrest Tidwell]] and his nephew [[Zelmer Tidwell|Zelmer]]. The elder Tidwell earned $2.75 per day for his efforts, while his carpenters earned $1.75 and his laborers $1.25. The lumber was supplied for $14 per 1,000 board feet. | Swann Bridge is located on [[Swann Bridge Road]] near [[Alabama Highway 79]] just west of [[Cleveland]]. it is one of three remaining covered bridges in Blount County, all built by [[Forrest Tidwell]] and his nephew [[Zelmer Tidwell|Zelmer]]. The elder Tidwell earned $2.75 per day for his efforts, while his carpenters earned $1.75 and his laborers $1.25. The lumber was supplied for $14 per 1,000 board feet. | ||
Like their other bridges, the timber frame is constructed in the "Town lattice truss" style, using small pieces pegged together to form the structural walls on either side of the 14 foot-wide roadway. The intermediate piers are constructed of concrete. The original wood-shingle roof has been replaced by galvanized metal. The structure was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on [[August 20]], [[1981]]. | Like their other bridges, the timber frame is constructed in the "Town lattice truss" style, using small pieces pegged together to form the structural walls on either side of the 14 foot-wide roadway. The intermediate piers are constructed of concrete. The original wood-shingle roof has been replaced by galvanized metal. The structure was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places in Blount County|National Register of Historic Places]] on [[August 20]], [[1981]]. | ||
A network of trails on the western side lead to the stream banks below. Not far downstream from the bridge a stone cliff has been carved by the river. The area is popular with picnickers and ATV riders. | |||
The bridge, along with two others, was closed to vehicular traffic in [[2007]] as the county worked to secure funding for structural analysis and conservation. [[Bob Smith Construction]] began the restoration work in December [[2011]] and the bridge re-opened after a ceremony on [[October 22]], [[2012]]. Another incident where a truck driver ignored signs and damaged the bridge occurred in [[2021]]. In early [[2022]] the [[Blount County Commission]] voted to close the bridge to vehicular traffic. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* {{Prince-1981}} | * {{Prince-1981}} | ||
* University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio. ''Bridges to the Past''. | * University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio. ''Bridges to the Past''. | ||
* Gray, Jeremy (July 2, 2011) "Blount County's covered bridges could get facelift starting this fall." {{BN}} | |||
* Spencer, Thomas (December 17, 2011) "Restoration of Blount County's covered bridges begins." {{BN}} | |||
* Wilson, Aimee (January 12, 2022) "Horton Mill bridge to close to traffic April 1." ''The Blount Countian'' | |||
* Thornton, William (February 23, 2023) "2 of Blount County’s historic covered bridges now closed: Efforts underway to preserve them for generations." {{AL}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| Line 21: | Line 27: | ||
[[Category:Zelmer Tidwell buildings]] | [[Category:Zelmer Tidwell buildings]] | ||
[[Category:Locust Fork River]] | [[Category:Locust Fork River]] | ||
[[Category:Blount County]] | [[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Blount County]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:40, 24 February 2023
The Swann Bridge (sometimes called Joy Bridge or Swann-Joy Bridge) is, at 324 feet, the longest covered bridge in Alabama. Completed in 1933 with its roadbed about 27 feet above the water, the triple-span traverses the waters of the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River just below Bullard Shoal and above Big Scirum Creek. The bridge was constructed to provide access to the Joy community from Swann Farm.
Swann Bridge is located on Swann Bridge Road near Alabama Highway 79 just west of Cleveland. it is one of three remaining covered bridges in Blount County, all built by Forrest Tidwell and his nephew Zelmer. The elder Tidwell earned $2.75 per day for his efforts, while his carpenters earned $1.75 and his laborers $1.25. The lumber was supplied for $14 per 1,000 board feet.
Like their other bridges, the timber frame is constructed in the "Town lattice truss" style, using small pieces pegged together to form the structural walls on either side of the 14 foot-wide roadway. The intermediate piers are constructed of concrete. The original wood-shingle roof has been replaced by galvanized metal. The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1981.
A network of trails on the western side lead to the stream banks below. Not far downstream from the bridge a stone cliff has been carved by the river. The area is popular with picnickers and ATV riders.
The bridge, along with two others, was closed to vehicular traffic in 2007 as the county worked to secure funding for structural analysis and conservation. Bob Smith Construction began the restoration work in December 2011 and the bridge re-opened after a ceremony on October 22, 2012. Another incident where a truck driver ignored signs and damaged the bridge occurred in 2021. In early 2022 the Blount County Commission voted to close the bridge to vehicular traffic.
References
- Prince, A. G. (1981) Alabama's Covered Bridges: Past and Present. revised edition. Ensley: Best Printing Service
- University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio. Bridges to the Past.
- Gray, Jeremy (July 2, 2011) "Blount County's covered bridges could get facelift starting this fall." The Birmingham News
- Spencer, Thomas (December 17, 2011) "Restoration of Blount County's covered bridges begins." The Birmingham News
- Wilson, Aimee (January 12, 2022) "Horton Mill bridge to close to traffic April 1." The Blount Countian
- Thornton, William (February 23, 2023) "2 of Blount County’s historic covered bridges now closed: Efforts underway to preserve them for generations." AL.com