Auchumpkee Creek Bridge

The Auchumpkee Creek bridge was destroyed in the floods of 1994, after its 100th birthday. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided $166,000, and Upson County Historic Preservation Commission chairman Bobby C. Smith, a Thomaston real estate agent, helped raise over $42,000 for retrieving the leftover bridge members and restoring the bridge.

The framework of the bridge was rebuilt on the banks of the creek by Arnold Graton of New Hampshire. Graton used traditional construction techniques, including wooden pegs ("trunnels"), to hold the bridge together. On July 3, 1997, a team of horses pulled the bridge into place. That type of event has not been seen in Georgia since the beginning of the century (if then).

After being pulled across the creek, the bridge was placed on temporary dunnage until the stone abutments supporting the ends of the bridge could be built up higher than future floods. The roof was then put on, weatherboarding put in place, and the approaches were built.

The dedication for this bridge took place during the nearby city of Thomaston's Covered Bridge Arts Festival October 9-11, 1998.

Facts

• County: Upson
• Other names: Hootenville Bridge
• Length: 96 ft.
• Width: ft.
• Built: 1892, rebuilt 1997
• Builder: W. Alford/Dr. J. Herring
• Truss: Town lattice
• Stream: Auchumpkee Creek
• Road name: Adjacent to Allen Road
• Traffic: No
• WGCB Number: 10-145-02#2
• Parking: Yes
• Picnic area: Yes
• Historic marker: No
• Owner: Upson County