Located in the Pool's Mill Park, this one is very reminiscent of the covered bridge @ Stone Mountain.
There are two parking areas. One very large lot and a smaller side lot. Also found here are a pavilion, well-shaded playground, picnic tables, built in BBQ grills and benches both near the park and along the river banks. Several guys were fishing upstream of the covered bridge.
Poole's Mill is of American Indian heritage.
A sad and yet typical story on the historic marker reads as follows:
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"Cherokee Chief George Welch constructed a Grist Mill here on his extensive homeplace around 1820. An uncovered bridge was later added. With the 1838 removal of the Cherokees, the lad was sold to Jacob Scudder. DR. ML Pool purchased it from Scudder's family in 1880. Abandoned in 1947, the Mill burned in 1959. The original bridge washed away in 1899 and was replaced with the present 96-foot structure in 1901. Constructed in the Town lattice design by Bud Gentry, the bridge's web of planks crisscrossing at 45-to 60-degree angles are fastened with wooden pegs, or trunnels, at each intersection."
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While walking through the bridge I heard a rush of water on my left. Once I reached the other side, my curiosity compelled me to investigate. What I discovered is a gorgeous series of cascades flowing over a HUGE granite outcrop. It was serene and beautiful in all the ways that make a person feel like they just won a prize. I could have stayed here for the rest of the day enjoying the sights and sounds, but I was on the hunt for more of these treasured landmarks and had a long drive ahead of me to Euharlee, GA.
FINAL THOUGHTS
To all of you who've sent me "thank you's" for uncovering (so to speak) Georgia's only remaining wooden covered bridges on yelp, you give me great encouragement to finish out my list (which I have discovered is actually over 20). Hopefully I'll get to the others before winter!
In the mean time, this one has a spectacular setting and worth the drive. Bring a picnic lunch and stay for a while. read more