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. 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 near Watkinsville, Georgia, in Oconee County. It 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

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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.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Antebellum Trail,

in the Classic City Area,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

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); Bishop Historic District (approx. 4.3 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); Civil War Memorial (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 2,412 times since then and 33 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.