Poinsett Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Poinsett Bridge |
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Poinsett Bridge
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| Crosses | Little Gap Creek |
| Locale | Greenville County, South Carolina |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 130 feet (40 m) |
| Clearance above | 15 feet (5 m) |
| Statistics | |
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Poinsett Bridge
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Tigerville, South Carolina |
| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1820 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000590 |
| Added to NRHP | October 22, 1970 |
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The Poinsett Bridge is a very old stone bridge located in Greenville County, South Carolina. It is believed to be the oldest bridge in South Carolina. Some even think it might be the oldest bridge in the entire southeastern United States!
This historic bridge was built in 1820. It was an important part of a road that connected Columbia, South Carolina to Saluda Mountain. Today, the bridge is no longer used for travel, but it is still standing strong.
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History of Poinsett Bridge
The Poinsett Bridge was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett. He was a famous American statesman and botanist. The bridge was built to help people travel more easily across the land. It was part of a major road project in the early 1800s.
Who Designed the Bridge?
The design of the Poinsett Bridge is quite special. It features a beautiful 14-foot Gothic arch. This type of arch is pointed at the top, like those seen in old cathedrals. The bridge stretches 130 feet over a small stream called Little Gap Creek.
Many people believe that Robert Mills (architect) might have designed this bridge. Robert Mills was a very famous architect. He is known for designing the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. While we are not 100% sure, it's cool to think such a famous person might have designed this old bridge!
Visiting Poinsett Bridge Today
Even though it's almost 200 years old, the Poinsett Bridge is still in great shape. It is now part of the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve. This preserve covers about 120 acres of land.
If you visit, you can enjoy a nature trail. This trail is just a short walk from the bridge. It's a great place to explore history and nature at the same time. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Images for kids
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Poinsett Bridge from afar
