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Kymulga Mill & Covered Bridge facts for kids

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Kymulga Mill
KymulgaMill.jpg
Kymulga Mill near Childersburg, Alabama
Kymulga Mill & Covered Bridge is located in Alabama
Kymulga Mill & Covered Bridge
Location in Alabama
Kymulga Mill & Covered Bridge is located in the United States
Kymulga Mill & Covered Bridge
Location in the United States
Nearest city Childersburg, Alabama
Built 1864
NRHP reference No. 76000356
Added to NRHP October 29, 1976
Kymulga Covered Bridge
KymulgaCB.jpg
Kymulga Covered Bridge near Childersburg, Alabama.
Coordinates 33°20′3″N 86°18′0″W / 33.33417°N 86.30000°W / 33.33417; -86.30000
Carries pedestrian traffic
Crosses Talladega Creek
Locale Childersburg, Alabama
Maintained by City of Childersburg
ID number 01-61-01 (WGCB)
Characteristics
Design Howe truss
Total length 105 ft (32 m)
History
Construction end 1861

The Kymulga Mill & Covered Bridge are two amazing historic places. They are located at Kymulga Park in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. You can find the park about 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of Childersburg, Alabama. It's a great spot to learn about history and enjoy nature.

Both the mill and the bridge were built a long time ago, during the American Civil War. They were fixed up in 1974 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means they are very important historical sites. In 1988, a group called the Childersburg Heritage Committee bought the land. They worked with the Alabama Historical Commission to create Kymulga Park. More repairs were done to keep these old structures safe. Today, there's a small fee to visit the park. This money helps take care of the buildings and the nature trails. The City of Childersburg now manages Kymulga Park.

Kymulga Mill: A Historic Grinding Place

The Kymulga Mill is a working gristmill that was built in 1864. A German builder named G.E. Morris constructed it. It was for a soldier named George H. Forney, who was a major in the Confederate Army. Sadly, Forney died in a battle before the mill was finished. But his wife allowed Morris to complete the project.

During the Civil War, many mills in the area were burned by soldiers. However, Kymulga Mill was lucky and was not destroyed. The mill was sold several times over the years. It kept working for a long time, grinding grain. In 1988, the Childersburg Heritage Committee bought it.

How the Mill Works

The Kymulga Mill used to run on water power. Three water turbines powered the four-story mill. These turbines also ran the lights, a grain elevator, and the huge millstones. Millstones are big, heavy stones used for grinding grain into flour or cornmeal. Two of the mill's five sets of millstones are made of French buhrs. These are thought to be some of the hardest rocks in the world.

Today, Kymulga Mill still works, but it uses electricity instead of water. It still makes cornmeal with its original millstones! The mill is now a fun place for visitors. You can take guided tours to see how it works. It also has a gift shop and the park office.

Kymulga Covered Bridge: A Journey Through Time

The Kymulga Covered Bridge is a special bridge made of wood and metal. It crosses over Talladega Creek, right next to Kymulga Mill. This bridge was built in 1861. It is 105 feet (32 m) long and uses a design called a Howe truss. This design makes the bridge very strong.

The Kymulga Covered Bridge is one of only two covered bridges from the 1800s in Alabama that are still in their original spot. The other one is the Waldo Covered Bridge, also in Talladega County.

Bridge History and Use

This bridge was once part of an old road called the Old Georgia Road. This road was an important trade route used by Native Americans. Later, settlers and pioneers also used it to travel. Over time, farms and towns grew up along this old trail.

In 1941, the United States government bought land near Kymulga Mill. They built a military base there called the Alabama Army Ammunition Plant. Because of this, some communities had to move. Today, the Kymulga Covered Bridge helps park visitors get to nature trails. These trails are north of Talladega Creek. As you walk, you might even find parts of the Old Georgia Road or other signs of the past.

See also