Waldo Covered Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waldo CB |
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The Waldo Covered Bridge near Talladega, Alabama.
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| Coordinates | 33°22′44.78″N 86°01′43.87″W / 33.3791056°N 86.0288528°W |
| Carries | Bridge Inaccessible |
| Crosses | Talladega Creek |
| Locale | Waldo, Alabama |
| Maintained by | PRIVATE USE |
| ID number | 01-61-02 (WGCB) |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Howe truss and Queen-post truss combination |
| Total length | 115 ft (35 m) |
| History | |
| Construction end | 1858 |
The Waldo Covered Bridge, also known as the Riddle Mill Covered Bridge, is a special old bridge in Talladega County, Alabama, United States. It's made of wood and metal and crosses Talladega Creek. You can find it near the town of Waldo, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) southeast of Talladega. This bridge is unique because it's privately owned. Its exact location is 33°22′44.78″N 86°01′43.87″W / 33.3791056°N 86.0288528°W.
Built in 1858, this 115-foot (35 m) bridge is very old. It uses a mix of two special designs: the Howe truss and the Queen-post truss. These designs help make the bridge strong. It is the second oldest covered bridge still standing in Alabama. It is also the only one that is not regularly maintained by the state. The Waldo Covered Bridge is currently being considered for the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical sites across the country.
Contents
History of the Waldo Covered Bridge
Early Uses and Connections
The Waldo Covered Bridge was built in 1858. It stands on an old trail once used by the Socopatoy Indian tribe. Right behind the bridge was Riddle's Mill. This mill ground grain and later became the Waldo Town Hall. It then turned into a restaurant.
Not far from the bridge is the Riddle's Hole gold mine. This mine was active from 1840 until World War II. The bridge was an important way to get to the mine.
The Bridge During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, the bridge played a small role. In April 1865, a group of soldiers called Wilson's Raiders used it. These were cavalry (horseback) soldiers led by Union Army General James H. Wilson. They used the bridge as a route during their operations.
Changes Over Time
For many years, the bridge was open for people to use. It was likely important for accessing the gold mine while it was working. However, in the 1960s, the state decided the bridge was no longer safe. The roads leading to it were removed, and it was not kept up.
In recent years, there were plans to fix the bridge. The idea was to make it part of a new park. But this project did not work out. So, the bridge was left on its two stone supports, just as it was.
Current Status
Today, the Waldo Covered Bridge is not open for cars or people to cross. However, if you get permission from the Old Mill Restaurant, you can walk around the area. The owners had hoped to fix the bridge again. But finding enough time and money has been a big challenge. The restaurant closed for a while but is now open again under new owners.
