Near Watkinsville in Oconee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Elder Mill Covered Bridge

Photographed By David Seibert, March 30, 2006

1. Elder Mill Covered Bridge Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Built in 1897 by Nathaniel Richardson, this 99-foot-long bridge originally carried the Watkinsville-Athens Road over Calls Creek. It was moved here to Rose Creek in 1924 and the road was relocated to its present site. The nearby c. 1900 grist mill ceased operation in 1941. Constructed in the Town lattice design, the bridge's web of planks crisscrossing at 45- to 60-degree angles are fastened with wooden pegs, or trunnels, at each intersection. It is one of the few covered bridges in Georgia continuing to carry traffic without underlying steel beams.

Erected 2001 by Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration. (Marker Number 108-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 33° 48.192′ N, 83° 21.822′ W. Marker is

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near Watkinsville, Georgia, in Oconee County. Marker is on Elder Mill Road, 0.3 miles north of Saxon Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is at the north end of the bridge, where a small park (with room to park a few cars) has been created. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Watkinsville GA 30677, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John Andrew (approx. 3.6 miles away); E. D. Stroud School (approx. 4 miles away); In Honor of all American Veterans (approx. 4½ miles away); Birthplace of Bishop A. G. Haygood and Miss Laura A. Haygood (approx. 4.6 miles away); In Honor of Our Revolutionary War Patriots (approx. 4.7 miles away); Oconee County (approx. 4.9 miles away); Civilians Abducted During Stoneman’s Raid (approx. 4.9 miles away); The Stoneman Raid (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watkinsville.

Elder Mill Covered Bridge Marker and the Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, March 30, 2006

2. Elder Mill Covered Bridge Marker and the Bridge

Elder Mill Covered Bridge Marker, prior to the erection of the Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, June 10, 2000

3. Elder Mill Covered Bridge Marker, prior to the erection of the Marker.

Elder Mill Covered Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, June 10, 2000

4. Elder Mill Covered Bridge

The Town lattice construction is clearly visible.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,062 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.