Poinsett Bridge

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox bridge

|bridge_name= Poinsett Bridge

|image = Poinsett Bridge in Greenville County South Carolina.jpg

|image_size = frameless

|image_upright =1.20

|caption= Poinsett Bridge

|official_name=

|also_known_as=

|carries=

|crosses= Little Gap Creek

|locale= Greenville County, South Carolina

|maint=

|id=

|design=

|mainspan=

|length= {{convert|130|ft|m|0}}

|width=

|clearance= {{convert|15|ft|m|0}}

|below=

|traffic=

|open=

|closed=

|toll=

{{Infobox NRHP

| embed = yes

| name = Poinsett Bridge

| nrhp_type =

| image =

| caption = Bridge site in U.S. state of South Carolina

| nearest_city= Tigerville, South Carolina

| locmapin = South Carolina#USA

| coordinates = {{coord|35|07|46.1|N|82|23|03.4|W|type:landmark_region:US-SC|display=inline,title}}

| area = {{convert|6|acre|ha|1}}

| built = 1820

| added = October 22, 1970

| refnum = 70000590{{NRISref|version=2010a}}}}

}}

File:Poinsett Bridge from afar.jpg

Poinsett Bridge is the oldest bridge in South Carolina and perhaps in the entire southeastern United States.{{Cite web |url=http://www.travelersresthere.com/the-real-story-of-south-carolinas-oldest-most-memorable-bridge/ |title=The Real Story of South Carolina's Oldest, Most Memorable Bridge |last=Hawkins |first=Celeste |work=Travelers Rest Here}}{{Cite news |last=Sowell |first=Charles |title=Poinsett Bridge is always worth the trip |newspaper=Greenville News |date=March 6, 2015 |page=23}} Named for Joel Roberts Poinsett, it was built in 1820 as part of the Old Buncombe Road from Columbia, South Carolina, to Saluda Mountain.{{Cite web |last=Schuette |first=Mary |title=Poinsett Bridge |work=National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory |date=August 29, 1970 |url=http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/greenville/S10817723003/S10817723003.pdf |access-date=7 July 2012}}{{Cite web |title=Poinsett Bridge, Greenville County (S.C. Sec. Rd. 42, Tigerville vicinity) |work=National Register Properties in South Carolina |publisher=South Carolina Department of Archives and History |url=http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/greenville/S10817723003/index.htm |access-date=7 July 2012}} The stone bridge, which includes a {{Convert|14|ft|m|adj=on}} Gothic arch and stretches {{Convert|130|ft|m}} over Little Gap Creek, may have been designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument.{{Cite web |url=http://greenvillerec.com/parks/poinsett-bridge |title=Poinsett Bridge |publisher=Greenville County Recreation District}} The Tulane University library has a brush drawing by Mills of a similar bridge, lending credence to the belief that Mills designed it. Though no longer in use, the bridge remains largely intact{{Cite book |editor-last=Edgar |editor-first=Walter |title=The South Carolina Encyclopedia |publisher=University of South Carolina Press |date=2006 |isbn=1-57003-598-9 |pages=739–740}}{{Cite web|last=|date=|title=The Adventure Files: Poinsett Bridge|url=https://www.thegreeneaffect.com/the-adventure-files-poinsett-bridge/|access-date=2022-01-17|website=The Greene Affect|language=en-US}} and is part of the {{convert|400|acre|ha|1|adj=on}} Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve. There is a nature trail a few hundred yards from the bridge.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/heritage/poinsettbr/description.html |title=Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve |publisher=South Carolina Department of Natural Resources |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314003623/https://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/heritage/poinsettbr/description.html |archive-date=2007-03-14}} The bridge, about which ghost stories have been told for decades,"The History and Haunting of Poinsett Bridge," Library Now (Greenville County Library System), Fall 2021, 8-10. is located off U.S. Highway 25 north of Greenville, South Carolina.After passing South Carolina Highway 11, turn right onto Old US 25. Then turn right onto Callahan Mountain Road near North Saluda Reservoir. Poinsett Bridge is on the left side of Callahan Mountain Road. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.