The covered bridges in Alabama

The covered bridges in Alabama

Posted by Jennifer Frazier on November 17, 2015

We take you on a photo tour of 14 beautiful covered bridges in Alabama and tell the history behind them.

The Bridges of Madison County made something as simple as an architectural structure purely fascinating and even romantic. Yes, the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller and movie, starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, added a romance to covered bridges.

Subscribe to Rethink:Rural's monthly e-newsletterFirst built in the 1790s, these structures did not become popular until after 1814. At one time, Kentucky alone boasted more than 400 of them. Today, however, they are few and far between. Some were destroyed during the Civil War, others just wasted away with the passage of time. They’ve been moved, burned down and rebuilt. So, when you do find one, it feels somewhat magical.

“The sound you hear while driving across a covered bridge makes you think you won't make it across. And on some, you might not,” says Gary Clark, former Southern Living Magazine travel photographer and photographer of the United States Postal Service 2014 Star-Spangled Banner Forever stamp. “This is how many bridges used to be built, particularly in the South. They are links to history, though, and photographically fun, since they are all different.”

Gary took to the back roads of Alabama, braving a few storms and arriving before sunrise and at sunset. He has captured, in photograph, the best of these covered bridges that Alabama has to offer, showing what true art lies in these architectural structures.

Many of them are located on private property, others are difficult to reach. But our extensive list offers a variety, even the somewhat hidden ones that Gary uncovered in his travels. Plan to visit these structures on your own, or if you can’t, enjoy what Gary has photographed for us.

 

1) Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge

Learn about the Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge and see more photos of it here.

Alamuchee-Bellamy Covered Bridge

2) Clarkson-Legg Covered Bridge

Learn more about the Clarkson-Legg Covered Bridge and see additional photos of it here.

Clarkson-Legg Covered Bridge

3) Coldwater Covered Bridge

Learn more about Coldwater Covered Bridge and see more photos of it here.

Coldwater Covered Bridge

4) Easley Covered Bridge, a.k.a. Rosa Covered Bridge

Learn about Easley Covered Bridge and see more photos of it here.

Easley Covered Bridge

5) Gilliland's-Reese Covered Bridge

Learn about Gilliland Covered Bridge and see more images of it here.

Gillaland's Reese Covered Bridge

6) Horton Mill Covered Bridge

Read the story behind Horton Mill Bridge and see more images of it here.

Horton's Mill Covered Bridge

7) Kymulga Mill & Covered Bridge

 Learn more about Kymulga Mill Covered Bridge and see more pics of it here.

Kymulga Covered Bridge

8) Old Union Crossing Covered Bridge

Learn more about the Old Union Crossing Covered Bridge and see more images of it here.

Old Union Crossing Covered Bridge

9) Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge

Read about the Salem Shotwell Bridge and see more photos here.

Salem Shotwell Covered Bridge Opelika Alabama

10) Swann Covered Bridge

Read about the longest bridge in Alabama and see more photos of Swann Covered Bridge here.

Swann Covered Bridge

11) Waldo Covered Bridge (a.k.a. Riddle Mill Covered Bridge)

Read more about this bridge on private property and see more Waldo Covered Bridge photos here.

Waldo Covered Bridge Waldo Alabama

12) Bob Saunders Family Covered Bridge

See another one of our photos of Saunders Covered Bridge and read about its origin here.

Saunders Mill Covered Bridge

13) Horace King Memorial Covered Bridge

See more of our photos of Horace King Memorial Covered Bridge and find out who it's named for here.

Horace King Covered Bridge

14) Cambron Covered Bridge

See more of photos of this mountaintop bridge and learn more of the Cambron Covered Bridge's story here.

Cambron Covered Bridge

The locations of the covered bridges in Alabama are marked on the official Alabama State Highway map and directions to each bridge are given. These maps are available at no cost by calling: 1-800-ALABAMA (1-800-252-2262).

Looking for land to start a healthier life?  Visit RaydientPlaces.com

All photography by Gary Clark, a former Southern Living Magazine travel photographer and photographer of the United States Postal Service 2014 Star-Spangled Banner Forever stamp. See more of Gary's work and contact him at www.thegaryclark.com.


 

 

Jennifer Frazier

After 10 years as a travel writer for Southern Living Magazine, Jen Frazier traded in the corporate world to stay home with her two children, three dogs and three hermit crabs.

Now she juggles carpool and laundry with writing for the Great American Country website, AAA Texas Journey Magazine and Texas Monthly Magazine, as well as blogging for thejensource.blogspot.com While she lives in the big metropolis of Dallas, she longs for weekends in the country. To learn more about this award-winning writer (recipient of the Barbara Jordan Award and the Luce Award), visit her website at jennifermfrazier.com

Want more from our blog? Subscribe to Rethink:Rural here

Subscribe to get all of our latest content sent directly to your inbox, or contact us directly with any questions you have.

Subscribe Here

Comments