COHEELEE CREEK COVERED BRIDGE - HILTON, GA POSTCARD

Located in the Hilton Community just southwest of the town of Blakely, Georgia, can be found the southernmost original covered bridge in the United States. The 96-foot long Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge was built in 1891 at the old McDonald Ford on Coheelee Creek. Built by John William Baughman, the bridge cost only $490.41, but still stands today as one of the most beautiful and unique landmarks in the Deep South. Making the setting even more picturesque is the fact that swiftly flowing Coheelee Creek rushes over a small waterfall just after it passes beneath the covered bridge. Such scenes are rare in Southwest Georgia, where waterfalls are few and far between and the Coheelee Creek structure is the last surviving covered bridge. Of the 17 original covered bridges that still survive in Georgia, only the Coheelee Creek bridge is located south of Macon. Bypassed by modern highways, the bridge fell into disuse over the years and its survival is almost miraculous. Concerned citizens of Early County, a corner of Georgia that is extremely rich in history, took note of the neglected condition of the Coheelee Creek Covered Bridge in 1984. An expensive and far-sighted restoration project was launched to stabilise and repair the bridge, which remains in sound condition today. An interpretive marker at the west end of the bridge provides visitors with a summary of its history. The view of the small waterfall that tumbles over the rocks beneath the old bridge is well worth the sometimes slippery walk down to the banks of the creek.