Coldwater Covered Bridge
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox Bridge
| bridge_name = Coldwater CB
| image = ColdwaterCB.jpg
| caption = The Coldwater Covered Bridge in Oxford, Alabama.
| official_name =
| carries = pedestrian traffic
| crosses = outflow from Oxford Lake (marble springs)
| locale = Oxford, Alabama
| maint = City of Oxford
| id = 01-08-01 (WGCB)
| design = Multiple King-post truss with Town Lattice combination
| material = wood
| mainspan =
| length = {{convert|63|ft|m|abbr=on}}{{Structurae|id=20005749|name=Coldwater Bridge}}
| width =
| height =
| load =
| clearance =
| below =
| traffic =
| begin =
| complete = ca. 1850
| coordinates = {{coord|33|36|26.97|N|85|48|59.73|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| extra = {{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = Coldwater Creek Covered Bridge
| nrhp_type =
| locmapin = Alabama#USA
| area = less than one acre
| architecture = One Span Modified Kingpost
| added = April 11, 1973
| refnum = 73000333{{NRISref|version=2010a}}
}}
}}
The Coldwater Covered Bridge, also known as the Hughes Mill Covered Bridge, is a locally owned wooden covered bridge that spans the outflow from Oxford Lake (marble springs) in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. It is located at Oxford Lake Park off State Route 21 in the city of Oxford, about {{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} south of Anniston.
Built circa 1850, the {{convert|63|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us|adj=on}} bridge is a rare construction of Multiple King-post truss with Town Lattice over a single span. The Tallahatchee Covered Bridge, which was also located in Calhoun County, had a similar resemblance. Its World Guide to Covered Bridges (WGCB) number is 01–08–01. As Coldwater Creek Covered Bridge, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 11, 1973. It is currently the oldest existing covered bridge in Alabama. The bridge is maintained by the City of Oxford.
History
The Coldwater Covered Bridge was built by a former slave around 1850 (although some sources say it was built as early as 1839), originally located over Coldwater Creek on what is now Airport Road along the border of Calhoun and Talladega counties near the community of Coldwater (coordinates {{coord|33|35|9.29|N|85|54|46.8|W|type:city}} (33.585914, -85.913)). This is about {{convert|8|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} west of its current location. Nearby was Coldwater Mill, also known as Hughes Mill, a local saw and lumber mill owned by Peter N. Hughes and Humphrey Hughes. The bridge partially burned in the early morning hours of August 11, 1920, but was able to be repaired and remain open to motor vehicle traffic. A concrete and steel bridge eventually replaced the aging Coldwater Covered Bridge in 1974, which was soon left to temporarily survive the elements. In 1990, the bridge was fully restored and moved to Oxford Lake Park. The tin roof which was originally on the covered bridge has been replaced with a shingled roof. It is now one of many visited tourist attractions within the Anniston area.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{Cite web |title=01-08-01 |url=https://www.dalejtravis.com/bridge/alabama/htm/0100801.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183126/https://www.dalejtravis.com/bridge/alabama/htm/0100801.htm |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2007 |website=Dale J. Travis Covered Bridges}}
- {{Cite web |title=Bridges to the Past: Alabama's Covered Bridges |url=http://www.alabamatv.org/bridges/photos.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821040148/http://www.alabamatv.org/bridges/photos.htm |archive-date=August 21, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2007 |website=The University of Alabama: The Alabama Experience}}.
- {{Cite web |title=Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel |url=http://800alabama.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816130039/http://800alabama.com/ |archive-date=August 16, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2007 |website=Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel}}
- {{Cite news |date=November 1, 2006 |title=State offers 12 sites on 'Covered Bridge Trail' |url=http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061101/covered.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070928055911/http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061101/covered.shtml |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2007 |work=The Decatur Daily}}
- {{Cite web |last=Alabama Historical Commission |author-link=Alabama Historical Commission |title=Alabama Covered Bridges |url=http://www.al.com/alabamiana/index.ssf?bridges.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205084210/http://www.al.com/alabamiana/index.ssf?bridges.html |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=August 15, 2007 |website=Alabamiana: A Guide to Alabama}}
- {{Cite web |title=AIRPORT ROAD over COLDWATER CREEK, Calhoun County, Alabama |url=http://uglybridges.com/1009637 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705095739/http://uglybridges.com/1009637 |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |access-date=August 12, 2013 |website=Ugly Bridges}}
- {{Cite news |date=August 11, 1920 |title= |work=The Anniston Star |pages=5}}
- {{Cite web |title=Documenting North America's past & present covered bridges |url=http://www.lostbridges.org/details.aspx?id=AL/01-08-15x&loc=n |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031019/http://www.lostbridges.org/details.aspx?id=AL/01-08-15x&loc=n |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=August 12, 2013 |website=Lost Bridges}}
- {{Cite web |title=Coldwater Covered Bridge |url=http://bridgehunter.com/al/calhoun/coldwater-covered/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406072856/http://bridgehunter.com/al/calhoun/coldwater-covered/ |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |website=Bridgehunter}}
- {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ekELAAAAYAAJ&dq=peter+n.+hughes+coldwater+alabama&pg=PA637 |title=The Southern Reporter |publisher=West Publishing Company |year=1898 |series=National reporter system: State series |volume=23 |pages=637 |access-date=June 3, 2014 |via=Google Books}}
External links
- [http://maxshores.com/bridges-to-the-past/ Bridges to the Past: Alabama's Covered Bridges]
{{Registered Historic Places}}
Category:Bridges completed in 1850
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Calhoun County, Alabama
Category:Covered bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Alabama
Category:Wooden bridges in Alabama
Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Calhoun County, Alabama
Category:Tourist attractions in Calhoun County, Alabama
Category:Relocated buildings and structures in Alabama
Category:Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Alabama