I can’t locate anything about the history of this bridge, but it provides one of the most scenic views in all of South Georgia. Kyle West writes: I worked out there for about 8 years. In fact, I installed the lights on the bridge for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. The story of the bridge as was told to me was that it was the original Highway 91 bridge and when the state moved the highway to the present location they were going to demo and Mr. Woodruff bought it from the state to keep them from doing away with it.
The girder style construction is a bit complex for a dirt road and the view as you near the end of the bridge is of the iconic Ichauway Store.
In 1960 while helping my granddaddy (Paul Gray) move from Mitchell County to Baker county, I drove a corn picker across this bridge. My granddaddy walked ahead of the picker to help me keep it “between the rails.” At 14, this task was probably the scariest thing I’d ever done. For doing a “good job, boy,” we stopped at the service station next to the court house for a soft drink.
Thanks for sharing, Mr. Harrell. Great memory.
I looked for this bridge a couple
weeks ago. Didn’t find it. It is not located on Hoggards Mill Road.
No, it’s at Ichauway Plantation. It was moved there by Mr. Woodruff.
Ben B. Stevens of Stevens Crossing in northern Emanuel County was my husband’s grandfather. In 1899 he spent nine months working at Hoggard’s Milll in Baker County. He was 22 years old at the time. We have in our possession 36 letters written to Ben from the folks at home during this time. I was thrilled to see your post here which put flesh on the bones of the letters. Thank you.
I worked out there for about 8 yrs. In fact the lights on the bridge I installed for 1996 olympic torch run the story of the bridge as was told to me was that it was the original hwy 91 bridge and when the state moved hwy to present location they were going to demo and mr woodruff who owned ichaway bought it from the state to keep them from doing away with it it is the only one left in working order and was the only bridge that was ever sold to an idvidual
Note that this site says it’s the “Old Hoggard’s Mill Bridge.”
(http://southwestgeorgiainphotographs.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/ichauway-plantation-hoggards-mill-baker-county/)
Thanks Kay! I know her photographs well and don’t know how I missed this!
Another tantalizing batch of photos. I would love to explore this way-off-the-interstate spot. Thanks for sharing. More from Baker County, please!
Maybe you could contact this lady, who seems to have a lot of information you could use!
(http://www.lanascooking.com/2010/07/18/ichauway-plantation/)
http://www.lanascooking.com/2010/07/18/ichauway-plantation/
Check this out