Dandridge in Jefferson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Bridging the French Broad River at Dandridge

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 11, 2023

1. Bridging the French Broad River at Dandridge Marker

Inscription. A Bridge Over Time From 1942 to 1944, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) designed and built a new State Route 92 bridge over the French Broad River and Douglas Reservoir at Dandridge. The two-lane bridge was impressive for its time: 1,468 feet long and 20 feet wide, with concrete piers holding up its center steel truss, concrete approach spans, and Art Moderne railings.

Structural problems spelled the end of the bridge, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation replaced it in 2017. The new bridge was dedicated in September 2019.

“I appeal to the Tennessee Valley Authority…for a proper development of this region – for a development that leads to a fuller life for our people…The function of East Tennessee is that of a Democratic community to the welfare of the whole. I beg of you, preserve it in this right.” James D. Hoskins, Knoxville News-Sentinel, Sept. 7, 1941

Captions
Original Bridge Completed in 1914, the original bridge connected Dandridge with Newport and often carried tourist traffic along the Dixie Highway. When this bridge was replaced in 1942, TVA moved the center truss to Sevier County.

Between Old and New Seven concrete piers and abutments await the new bridge at the Dandridge Dike. The TVA-constructed dike saved the town of Dandridge from flooding and destruction. The 1914 bridge is visible to the right of the new bridge under construction.

How to Keep a Bridge Up Designed by TVA, the 888-foot central Warren truss seemed to hang in mid-air, but the cantilevered truss was self-supporting through an innovative system of triangular steel beams and structural components.

Hometown Heroes The bridge opened in 1944. Later, it was named in honor of two Dandridge natives who helped save the town: Dr. James D. Hoskins, president of the University of Tennessee (1933-1946), and Herbert B. Jarnigan, mayor of Dandridge (1930-1971).

Background Image: National Archives and Records Administration, 1945

Erected 2020

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2019.

Location. 36° 0.614′ N, 83° 24.689′ W. Marker is in Dandridge, Tennessee, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of Chestnut Hill Road (Tennessee Route 92) and Public Drive, on the right when traveling north on Chestnut Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dandridge TN 37725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dandridge and the TVA: “Good News Came to Dandridge”

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 11, 2023

2. Bridging the French Broad River at Dandridge Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Dike That Saved Dandridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Blant’s Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Memory of the Revolutionary Soldiers Buried Here (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jefferson County Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away); J. C. Turnley's Mill Place Grindstone (approx. 0.4 miles away); Roper Mansion (approx. 0.4 miles away); Jefferson County Jail (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dandridge.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Bridge over the French Broad River at Dandridge, TN image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 11, 2023

3. Bridge over the French Broad River at Dandridge, TN

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 11, 2023

4. Bridge over the French Broad River at Dandridge, TN

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 866 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 12, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.