Near Daviston in Tallapoosa County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Miller Covered Bridge

1908~1963

— Horseshoe Bend National Military Park —

Miller Covered Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 21, 2023

1. Miller Covered Bridge Marker

Inscription. Completed in 1908, the bridge was the first to span the Tallapoosa River between Dadeville and New Site. It was named in honor of Nora E. Miller, who owned the land upon which the bridge was located. Dadeville builder W. H. Wynn and his son, Will, constructed the bridge at a cost of $13,896. The five large support pilings were fashioned from stones from the riverbank. Local heart pine timber formed the trusses and lattice work. The original roof was made of wooden shingles, later replaced by tin. Instead of nails, 1600 oak pegs held the bridge together. At 858 feet, it was the longest covered bridge in Alabama and one of the longest in the United States.

Heavier automobiles rendered the Miller Bridge obsolete and in 1955 a new bridge made of concrete opened alongside. With disuse, the original structure deteriorated. After the creation of the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park in 1959, local preservationists hoped to raise enough funds to restore the old bridge as a pedestrian walkway. These hopes ended on June 23, 1963, when a large portion of the bridge collapsed into the river. The remnants of the bridge were removed soon thereafter.

Erected 2018 by the Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts

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. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the Covered Bridges series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1963.

Location. 32° 58.566′ N, 85° 44.473′ W. Marker is near Daviston, Alabama, in Tallapoosa County. It can be reached from Horseshoe Bend Road (Alabama Route 49) 2.1 miles north of Freeman Road, on the left when traveling north. Located at the Horseshoe Bend boat ramp, near the south end of the new bridge, within the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Daviston AL 36256, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Who Were the Creek? (a few steps from this marker); Futile Escape (approx. 0.2 miles away); Horseshoe Bend Battleground Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gun Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); While the Long Roll Was Beating (approx. 0.3 miles away); Charge! (approx. 0.3 miles away); Designed for Defense (approx. 0.3 miles away); Major Lemuel P. Montgomery (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Daviston.

Miller Covered Bridge Marker and support pilings across Tallapoosa River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 21, 2023

2. Miller Covered Bridge Marker and support pilings across Tallapoosa River.

Recent rains have fallen.

South end of bridge abutment. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 21, 2023

3. South end of bridge abutment.

The old Miller Covered Bridge. image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Tallapoosa County Tourism.

4. The old Miller Covered Bridge.

The Miller covered bridge was the only highway bridge across the Tallapoosa River between Tallassee and Wadley until Lake Martin was built. The massive bridge had a total length of 838 feet and a covered length of 600 feet. At the time it collapsed in 1963, it was the longest covered bridge in the U.S.

Public domain

5. The old Miller Covered Bridge

Miller Covered bridge showing signs of age and deterioration, possibly taken in 1960's near the time the bridge collapsed.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,520 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 21, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.