Swann & Easley Covered Bridges, Blount County, Alabama

Posted by J Goforth July 31, 2007 12:24 AM A Goforth When I posted about the Horton Mill covered bridge , I mentioned that we had been unable to find these two bridges. via Alabama Live

[William Glenn]

When I went to Blount County High School in 1944 , we hung out at the covered bridges. It was great. Who built the covered bridges , when ??

[becky]

William Glenn wrote:

When I went to Blount County High School in 1944 , we hung out at the covered bridges. It was great. Who built the covered bridges , when ??

easley bridge was built in 1927 horton bridge in 1935

[becky]

you can go to yahoo.com and type in blount county alabama covered bridges and search and you will find a lot of imformation i did

[William Glenn]

Thank you becky, I went to yahoo .com & typed in blount county Covered Bridges & asked who built Blount County coveres bridges...... The Tidwell families built them.

[becky]

you are welcome come back to blount county again . glad to help you

[Tammy]

does anyone know why there is a sign on swan bridge road that reads "bridge out 1 mile"

[John D]

Tammy wrote:

does anyone know why there is a sign on swan bridge road that reads "bridge out 1 mile"

I visited the Horton Mill and Easley bridges this weekend. Both are closed. Relatives who live near the bridges told me the Horton Mill Bridge was recently damaged by vandalism. It hasn't been determined whether the bridge is safe, so it's been closed. The other covered bridges may be closed because they could have suffered similar abuse. It may take a long time and a lot of money to determine the extent of damage and make repairs, if indeed the bridges can be repaired. At least they're still there, and can be visited even if they can't be used. I'm reminded of the historic L&N Cane Creek Branch railroad trestle in north Jefferson County, which was totally destroyed by arson about three years ago (google 'l&n cane creek railroad trestle' for information on that historic structure).

[Lindsey]

Are you still able to drive up to the bridges? i remember my taking us all around to see all the covered bridges when i was little and have seriously been considering taking my own trip now. I want to get pictures too. Does anyone know??

[Charlie]

I went to Swann Covered Bridge last week (March 24) and parked at the bridge. You just can not drive across the bridge.

[whistlin_dixie]

Blount County is known as the Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama because it is the only county with three historic covered bridges still standing.

In Spring of 2011 a group of concerned citizens came together to our damaged covered bridges fixed. Within a few short months these citizens were able to push the issue forward with the State of Alabama and the Blount County Commission.

In October/November 2011, repairs began on the Easley covered bridge (c1927). The Swann bridge (c1933) has had the decking removed and is awaiting replacement. This Summer the Horton Mill (c1934) bridge will get it's restoration also.

It has been a long time coming but action by a few citizens, assistance from the media and cooperation with local and state officials, our bridges are set to reopen to take weight-limited vehicles; i.e. cars, small trucks and the like.

The Covered Bridge Festival is held in October. There is a website to the group to formed a non-profit and got the ball rolling. There is a lot of history about the bridges, with photos, too.

Hope this helps.

[whistlin_dixie]

The website (oops) is:

www.FriendsoftheCoveredBridgesofBlountCounty....

[Diane]

Swann, Horton and Easley Bridges are all closed due to them not passing inspection is what I was told.

[Mitt Sucks]

yup