Title
Brookwood Covered Bridge
Subject
Covered bridges
Description
This covered bridge was located about 5 miles south of Brookwood, Ala., on Covered Bridge Road. It was thought to built about 1850 and was destroyed by fire in 1962. It was the last covered bridge in Tuscaloosa County.
The bridge was constructed of heavy pine timbers put together by wooden pegs. The roof was of tin with nails, put there about 1945 when re-roofing was ordered by the Tuscaloosa County Board of Revenue. The board said the old bridge should be preserved as long as possible as a historical landmark in the county.
The bridge stood about 50 feet over the waters of Hurricane Creek, supported by creosoted logs, part of them resting on an abridgement of solid rock. The bridge spanned 200 feet, with the covered portion 100 feet long. In an article in The Tuscaloosa News on Feb. 6, 1955, writer Bob Kyle said bridges like this one were used extensively in olden times when houses and towns were few and far between. The covered bridges provided wagon travelers places where they could spend nights out of the cold and rain.
The bridge survived in good shape even when it was bypassed when the road was paved in 1957 and a new concrete and steel bridge built and the covered bridge was closed to traffic.
The members of the Alabama Federation of Garden Clubs agreed to maintain and preserve the historic landmark. Dates before the Civil War were carved into the walls with lovers' initials and Cupid's hearts.
Looking Back, Tuscaloosa News, August 21, 2017
In June of 1962, the bridge burned with arson suspected. By the time firefighters arrived, the middle section of the bridge had collapsed into Hurricane Creek. Ten University of Alabama students admitted they were possibly responsible for the fire; they said they had been picnicking and built a fire on the end of the bridge, but thought they had put out the fire before leaving. With no evidence to indicate any intent to burn the bridge, Circuit Solicitor Fred Nichol indicated that no criminal charges would be filed.
The bridge was constructed of heavy pine timbers put together by wooden pegs. The roof was of tin with nails, put there about 1945 when re-roofing was ordered by the Tuscaloosa County Board of Revenue. The board said the old bridge should be preserved as long as possible as a historical landmark in the county.
The bridge stood about 50 feet over the waters of Hurricane Creek, supported by creosoted logs, part of them resting on an abridgement of solid rock. The bridge spanned 200 feet, with the covered portion 100 feet long. In an article in The Tuscaloosa News on Feb. 6, 1955, writer Bob Kyle said bridges like this one were used extensively in olden times when houses and towns were few and far between. The covered bridges provided wagon travelers places where they could spend nights out of the cold and rain.
The bridge survived in good shape even when it was bypassed when the road was paved in 1957 and a new concrete and steel bridge built and the covered bridge was closed to traffic.
The members of the Alabama Federation of Garden Clubs agreed to maintain and preserve the historic landmark. Dates before the Civil War were carved into the walls with lovers' initials and Cupid's hearts.
Looking Back, Tuscaloosa News, August 21, 2017
In June of 1962, the bridge burned with arson suspected. By the time firefighters arrived, the middle section of the bridge had collapsed into Hurricane Creek. Ten University of Alabama students admitted they were possibly responsible for the fire; they said they had been picnicking and built a fire on the end of the bridge, but thought they had put out the fire before leaving. With no evidence to indicate any intent to burn the bridge, Circuit Solicitor Fred Nichol indicated that no criminal charges would be filed.
Source
Personal Collection of James Baughman
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
362
Coverage
Tuscaloosa County (AL)
Original Format
Photograph