Near Shorterville in Henry County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Chattahoochee River Crossings

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 26, 2014

1. Chattahoochee River Crossings Marker

Inscription. First settler crossings were made here prior to 1817 on a log ferry operated by Robert Irwin. First bridge built by Prescott and Bemis and destroyed by flood of 1855. Second wooden covered bridge was completed in 1869 by ex-slave Horace King. Third was the Henry-Clay cantilever bridge opened in 1925. Fourth is the present McKemie Bridge opened in 1973. This river was the number one highway for local prehistorical man long before Christ.

Erected 1978 by the Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Henry County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 31° 36.254′ N, 85° 3.561′ W. Marker is near Shorterville, Alabama, in Henry County. It is on Hartford Road (Alabama Route 10) 0.6 miles east of County Road 46, on the left when traveling east. Located about 1000 ft west of the AL/GA line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shorterville AL 36373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Wiregrass.

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 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: Franklin - First Beachhead into East Alabama (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Gaines (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); The 1836 Fort

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(approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); The Old Lattice Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia); Old Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away in Georgia); Site of the First Clay County Courthouse and Jail (approx. half a mile away in Georgia); Fort Gaines Guards (approx. 0.6 miles away in Georgia); Queen City of the Chattahoochee (approx. 0.6 miles away in Georgia).

Other markers no longer nearby. In the Confederacy (was approx. 0.3 miles away in Georgia but has been confirmed missing); Site of Fort Gaines Female College (was approx. 0.4 miles away in Georgia but has been confirmed missing).

Chattahoochee River Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 14, 2014

2. Chattahoochee River Bridge

Chattahoochee River Crossing in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, February 16, 2014

3. Chattahoochee River Crossing in background

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,036 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 17, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.