Watson Mill Bridge

One of the most picturesque state parks in Georgia, Watson Mill Bridge contains the longest covered bridge in the state, spanning 229 feet across the South Fork River. Built in 1885 by Washington (W.W.) King, son of freed slave and famous covered-bridge builder Horace King, the bridge is supported by a town lattice truss system held firmly together with tree nails. At one time, Georgia had more than 200 covered bridges; today, less than 20 remain.

WATSON MILL BRIDGE

Built by W.W. King in 1885, Watson Mill Bridge is Georgia’s longest existing covered bridge. Of the Town lattice type it has four spans and is 236 feet long.

Covered primarily to protect the structural timbers, the bridge served local traffic, the workers of the now missing grist mill and saw mill and even for picnics and square dances. The bridge was restored in 1973, by the Georgia Department of Transportation to serve as a nucleus for the surrounding state park.

109-8 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1974

We were here on a late Sunday afternoon, the visitor center was closed. Hiking trails and a nice campground make this park one to come back to in the future.