Sewanee Natural Bridge facts for kids
Sewanee Natural Bridge is an amazing natural stone arch located in Franklin County, Tennessee. It stands about 25 feet (8 meters) tall and stretches 50 feet (15 meters) wide. Imagine a huge stone bridge formed by nature! This special place is a designated state natural area, covering about 3 acres (12,000 square meters).
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What is Sewanee Natural Bridge?
Sewanee Natural Bridge is a type of landform called a natural arch. It's like a giant doorway made of rock. This particular arch is made from strong sandstone. It was once part of a large sinkhole. Over a very long time, water and weather slowly carved out the rock, creating the bridge shape we see today.
How Was This Stone Arch Formed?
The formation of Sewanee Natural Bridge is a cool example of how nature shapes our world. It started as a big sinkhole. A sinkhole is a hole in the ground that opens up, often when underground water dissolves rock. For this bridge, a wet weather spring, which is a small stream that flows during rainy times, played a big part. This spring, located in a rock cave behind the bridge, helped erode the stone.
Erosion is the process where wind, water, or ice slowly wear away rock and soil. Over thousands of years, the water from the spring slowly carved away the softer parts of the sandstone. This left behind the harder rock, forming the arch. It's like water patiently sculpting a masterpiece!
Why is it Called Sewanee Natural Bridge?
The bridge gets its name because it was once owned by the University of the South. This university is located nearby in Sewanee, Tennessee. The name helps connect this natural wonder to its local history and the community around it.
Visiting Sewanee Natural Bridge
If you want to visit this incredible natural arch, it's easy to find. The natural area is located off Highway Alt. 41. When you are in Sewanee, you will turn south onto Highway 56. Drive about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) on Highway 56 until you reach Natural Bridge Road. Turn left onto Natural Bridge Road. After about half a mile (800 meters), you will see the parking area. From there, you can walk to explore the bridge and enjoy the surrounding nature.
