Buzzard Roost Bridge
Buzzard Roost Bridge or Buzzard's Roost Bridge was a 94-foot, three-span covered bridge located over Buzzard's Roost Creek at Chicsa Road or Allsboro Road off U. S. Highway 72 near Cherokee in Colbert County.
Local residents believe it was originally constructed about 1820, the same year that Ithiel Town of Connecticut patented the Town lattice truss that was employed in its construction. It is more likely that the bridge was built, or re-built, about 1860.
In 1955 a large sign was erected above at least one end of the bridge.
It read:
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BUZZARD ROOST BRIDGE OLDEST COVERED BRIDGE IN ALABAMA BUILT 1820 RESTORED AND MAINTAINED BY COUNTY BOARD OF REVENUE GRESHAM HALE CHAIRMAN PAUL KEETON NW. CARL WALDROP SW. A. L. HORTON NE. CURTIS SPANGLER SE. SPONSORED BY THE CHEROKEE LIONS CLUB |
The bridge was damaged by floodwaters in 1965 and again restored by the County, with new abutments and concrete piles. It was later entrusted to the care of the National Park Service as part of the Natchez Trace Parkway.
The bridge was destroyed by arson on July 15, 1972.
References
- Prince, A. G. (1981) Alabama's Covered Bridges: Past and Present. revised edition. Ensley: Best Printing Service