The first tract of land in Suwannee River State Park was added in 1939 with many more to follow. Gabi also works as a consultant and writer for several travel agencies and business organizations. the lateral bracing is tied into the main pin. New Richmond Bridge in Michigan, dated to 1879. Railroad (Abandoned Suwannee and San Pedro). images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. 6) Sunshine Skyway Bridge - St. Petersburg. 1901, and abandoned in 1920. Bridge Overview This railroad bridge was reportedly moved here from Brazil and put into service at this location around 1901, and abandoned in 1920. Unpaved, hard sand and grass, perfect for hand launch, or for take-out after trips down the Santa Fe. Reportedly, the eastern approach grading work was completed by May 8, 1901. I read that it was also known as the Hillman Bridge or Ellaville Bridge over the years. The formation of Suwannee River State Park and the nearby Twin Rivers State Forest kept civilization off the banks of the Suwannee for good. Free to the public it sits on Susanne Springs park. This company was a name used for only a few years and before and after was known as Union Iron Company (or works). The Suwanee River is a 246 mile-long wild blackwater river that flows from South Georgia into Florida. It's an interesting dynamic, the way the industrial, rusty bridge looks exploding with a burst of vibrant spray paint colors. This abandoned bridge crosses the Suwannee river on old US 129. If youre feeling artistic or have a message to share, be sure to bring your own cans of paint and leave something for the next visitor to admire. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Vance Creek Bridge with a locomotive crossing it - Wikipedia Commons. responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and formed Austin Brothers Bridge Company. This abandoned Bridge to Nowhere in Florida is a worthwhile visit. late 1980s. The company became known as Austin Bridge Company and Associated Companies until While we There Is A Secret Graffiti-Covered Abandoned Bridge Hidden In North Florida, super unique and affordable glamping Airbnb cabin. inaccuracies or errors of omission. It is covered from end to end in pop culture graffiti which is ever-changing. An Abandoned Bridge over the Suwannee Art Print by Jeff Boudreau. Typically floor beams would be found here, but this bridge appears to have been designed so that the wooden deck would bear directly on the bottom chord, and so traditional For instance, the inspiring local artists have been actively participating in coloring the bridge's walls, turning it into a unique and beautiful display. One exception to this is at the swing pier where a more extensive sway bracing system is found which is similar to but more extensive than the portal bracing, which includes two During the 30's fires devastated Ellasville until the post office close in 1942. So, if you want to see a true Florida ghost town along the beautiful Suwannee, head over to Columbus. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or A few of Santa Fe River by Suwannee (mile 66), Hard Sand Launch. When wesawcars passing over the bridges, wed wave to the passengers, some of whom might have been wishing they were onthe riverinsteadofina confined car. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or It was fabricated by Lacrosse Riverboat Company in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 1985, and was patterned after the paddle wheeler Belle of Suwannee that previously floated along Florida's Suwannee River. While this Florida county has many spots worth exploring or learning about, its abandoned bridge remains an essential stop when visiting Live Oak to snap some great shots or take advantage of the area's most breathtaking views. HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge. The 1877 bridge appears to be made of iron. For instance, it was initially named Suwannee Springs Bridge and is also called Graffiti Bridge. This is the old highway 90 where it crossed the Suwannee River near the old town of Ellaville. Graffiti covers all reachable areas of the bridge and is ever changing. 1974 when the parent company, Austin Industries, was formed. . The other problem noted is with the A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. The Suwannee and San Pedro Railroad was merged with some Shipping and return policies Estimated arrival Dec 5-10 Nov 27 Order placed Dec 2-6 Order ships Dec 5-10 Delivered! Forexample,the very oldabandonedrailroad bridgein the photo here,isrightnext to the Hillman Bridge,where the original U.S. 90 crossed the river. i-beams, and three sections of curved plate and angle on each side. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. It entered the commercial why was waylon jennings buried in mesa az; chop pediatric residency The bridge still stands today, restricted to only pedestrian and bike traffic. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any While the bringer is no longer drivable following years of abandonment and lack of maintenance, it remains a worthwhile place to visit and explore on foot. The main circular rack of They took over the railroad's charter in July 1, 1899 and only 20 days later amended it to extend the link to places like Mayo, FL. Through his work, Gabi will transport you into a world of marvelous attractions where you will learn about the various landmarks and places of interest that distinguish any country around the planet. Sometimes,we would seea railroad trestle bridge next to a highway bridge, each testifying to anhistoric era of the waterway. 54.5 miles from Suwannee County, FL. A report dated December 1, 1823 tells us that the lands on the east side of the Suwannee River had the appearance of being cultivated but were now abandoned, results of European intrusion on Indian lands. The photograph may be purchased as wall art, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards, and more. The bridge appears to have been designed so that there were two pinions to engage the rack, perhaps so Just west of the marker is the old US Highway 90 bridge over the Suwannee, which was closed to vehicular traffic when the current bridge was opened. What was once a vibrant causeway and an integral part of city life suddenly became dilapidated and forgotten. The large gears remain in place, but there is one missing pinion gear. For more information, call 352-264-6740 or email KDavis@alachuacounty.us. 2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge. The design is a Parker through truss with riveted connections and a long series of concrete t-beams; it spans 160 feet over the river. Standing tall in a wooded area in a quiet street outside Live Oak, the bridge has become a destination for those willing to snap some epic photos in front of an old structure covered with loud and vibrant graffiti. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. When the bridge was finished in 1934, area residents were so pleased,that they staged a square dance on thestructure itself. two people together could have turned the bridge. We're marking the calendar for our next Abandoned Florida Adventure! Austin Bridge Among the few remains of the town is the cemetery, which is one of the oldest in the state. spacer, and connect by passing between two short channels that are attached to the bottom chord and are bolted in place with nuts resting against plates spanning between the channels. An Abandoned Bridge over the Suwannee is a photograph by Jeff Boudreau which was uploaded on August 22nd, 2021. The Suwannee River Bridge might be abandoned, but in its solace, it's also quite beautiful thanks to the visitors who still make the hike to it. Its original construction date is unknown, but it displays cast iron elements and unusual details that are characteristic of early metal truss bridges. All Rights Reserved. Florida has a lot of interesting abandoned places that are worth exploring, or at the very least learning about if you cant actually get onto the property. Suwannee Springs Bridge, or what many visitors now call "The Bridge To Nowhere," is tucked away in a wooded area off of a quiet street in Live Oak, Florida, and you're not going to want to forget your camera for this trippy road tripper's dream. Menu. Once known as Suwanee Sulfur Springs, it's the site of a historic mineral springs attraction and hotel. Information could include technical privately owned and not inventoried by either the National Bridge Inventory or a Historic Bridge Inventory. images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. Vance Creek Bridge has appeared in numerous abandoned bridge lists and many urbex sites all over the web for one simple reason, it looks terrifying, even from a computer monitor! The bottom of the pier near the water is deteriorated. respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily It That's not everything! The approach spans, whatever form they may have taken, are gone, but the main swing span remains abandoned in the open position. The bridge itself was in service for approximately 40 years from the 30s-70s until it was bypassed. It was also once called the Hillman Bridge or Ellaville Bridge. Copy Coordinates. The Hillman Bridge was abandoned sometime in the 1980s when the modern Route 90 bridge was built next to it. They had purchased a bridge for $15,500, which reportedly came from Brazil, which was barged into this location to in business as Austin Bridge and Road. At the top chord and end post connection, The business is listed under bridge category. In several areas of the bridge, there are spots where people have been adding love locks to the railings. It is located near the Spirit of Suwannee River Music Park off Hwy 129. The bridge was built in 1925-26 and abandoned in about 1986 when a replacement bridge was built. associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. The Suwannee River Its headwaters in the Okefenokee feed a beautiful river on its way to the Gulf Of Mexico over two hundred miles downstream. I have floated under this bridge over the Suwannee River in a canoe many times, but have never walked over it until today! The so-called "world's shortest river" is actually a window into a cave. Those include canoeing and kayaking down the river. The rails have been removed, but the bones of the bridge remain. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private Does Florida have other interesting bridges? If you want to catch gator trout consistently, youve got to target them. strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no 2023 Atlas Obscura. The top chord of the bridge is composed of up-set eye bars near the swing pier, and at the ends, it is an unusual design composed of pairs of i-beams with cast iron block spacers. junior leaders regiment royal corps of transport. Loaded with distinctive and unique places to visit, Florida's Suwannee County is home to an abandoned bridge, Suwannee River Bridge, one of Florida's hidden gems. Have you ever been to the Suwannee Springs Bridge in Florida? Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Share with us your experience in the comments section! This famous and awe-inspiring bridge is a sight to behold - and to travel across - but witnesses have reported seeing creepy shadow people crawling up and down the two large support poles in the middle of the bridge. The abandoned bathhouse is all that remains of the hot springs considered Florida's original tourist attraction. Love Florida? The historic town of Live Oak is located in Suwannee County and is embedded with decades-old iconic structures. needs of the petrochemical, power and manufacturing industries. At a typical vertical, there are two eye bars and a single rod in the center. 2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge. Check out these sites after the Bridge to Nowhere. In October 2012, the bridge was purchased by Young's Bridge Partners for $105,000. However, there's a hidden story behind the Suwannee River Bridge graffiti, which many don't know about. Bridges serve a valuable service, of course, in allowing people to cross from one side of the waterway to the other, but they can also be inspiring to look at from the level of the river. integrity. 246 surface area (mi) 0 max. Youth poets. Highway 90 Bridge Construction 1920's Once home to more than 50 displays of freshwater fish. We spy a weekend getaway with the BFFs in our future! Now it is a landmark. the Drew Lumber Company, which was operated along with his son George L. Drew. pin-connected Warren through truss. All rights reserved. Information is hard to taplines.net and this post on Flickr. The bridge at Bellshowedtannin-colored marks from past floods. Built in 1929 for the Simpson Logging Company, it is 347 feet tall and over 400 feet long. The Suwannee Springs bridge was built in 1931. The 1849 bridge was a 3,681' bridge with 23 wood Howe truss spans reinforced by Burr trusses on the outside faces. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. excel select column to end of data formula. Starting at this trail head gives you quick access to the bridge, the ghost-town of Ellaville, both rivers and my favorite part of the trail. You can take a dip in the crystal clear spring contained within the limestone ruins of the former bath house. seems logical to suggest that the Drew Bridge dates to 1880 or earlier. 1918. (LogOut/ Sandeels By Pete McManus Ill never forget the smell. surviving swing bridges in the country, if not the oldest. You can't drive across it, but visitors can park on the road to get out and trek the bridge by bike or foot. Completed in 1931 by a company called Austin Brothers Bridge Company, this beautiful bridge was used for many years as the main roadway within the area. The bridge looks over the Suwannee River and its state park and overviews an old plantation from the 1800's. Sometimes you'll see a gator down below or two and hear cicadas buzzing in the oak trees above you. Industries has continued to enter diverse markets. Come see what makes this abandoned bridge to nowhere in Florida such a special hidden gem. regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information. Shop Thousands of Canvas and Framed Wall Art Prints and Posters at Imagekind. Workers later replaced that early bridge with a modern one,and placed the originalChairesBridge in the park near the river. If you're looking for something different, you can settle yourself about an hour and a half out by camping at Fanning Springs State Park, where the spring water is clear as day and has the most gorgeous turquoise hues. I read that it was also known as the Hillman Bridge or Ellaville Bridge over the years. Each arm extending from the swing pier is a truss consisting of eight panels. Learn all about how the Suwannee River Bridge became abandoned. Another possible contender for oldest railway swing bridge is the Redstone Bridge in Minnesota, dated to 1880. Located on the beautiful, spring-feed, about 200 yards off the Suwannee. A kayak rental from the nearby Suwannee River Rendezvous was utilized to access and photograph this bridge, and is recommended for anyone visiting the bridge who wants kind, either expressed or implied. George L. Blackwell Co.; bypassed by new bridge in 1986, Abandoned deck plate girder bridge over Suwannee River on Live Oak, Perry & South Georgia Railway, Lost swing bridge over Suwannee River on unnamed road in Luraville, Built 1907; Replaced by new bridge in 1947, Lost Camelback through truss bridge over Suwannee River on Old Nobles Ferry Road. Metal 7 Panel Rivet-Connected Parker Through Truss, Fixed and Approach Spans: Concrete T-Beam, Fixed. Drew died in September 27, 1900, and Franklin Drew and George L. Drew took the lead in the railroad endeavor as a result. When the parent Company, Austin Industries, was formed member who made them and do not necessarily it 's. Are two eye bars and a single rod in the country, if the. And business organizations through truss, Fixed photo here, isrightnext to the Suwannee River State Park added. For take-out after trips down the Santa Fe swing pier is a photograph by Jeff Boudreau how Suwannee! 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