The Georgia–Carolina Memorial Bridge was a highway crossing over the

Savannah River The Savannah River is a major river in the Southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia and South Carolina. The river flows from the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, ...

between the states of

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

and

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

that was in service from 1927 to 1981. The completion of this bridge marked the beginning of the end for Savannah River ferry traffic.

History

In November 1921, the Calhoun Highway Association requested the Georgia State Highway Department to conduct surveys of the

near

Calhoun Falls, South Carolina Calhoun Falls is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,724 at the 2020 census, down from 2,004 at the 2010 census. The town derives its name from James Edward Colhoun (or Calhoun). Geography Calhoun Fa ...

, to determine a site for a bridge. In March 1925, R. E. Toms, District 8 Engineer of Georgia, approved the Burton's Ferry site just above the homestead of James Edward Calhoun, a son of

John C. Calhoun John Caldwell Calhoun (; March 18, 1782March 31, 1850) was an American statesman and political theorist who served as the seventh vice president of the United States from 1825 to 1832. Born in South Carolina, he adamantly defended American s ...

, at Millwood, South Carolina, estimated to cost at around $200,000 (equivalent to $ in ). The federal government committed $100,000 (equivalent to $ in ) with the states of Georgia and South Carolina each committing the same amount.

Elbert County, Georgia Elbert County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,637. The county seat is Elberton. The county was established on December 10, 1790, and was named for Samue ...

, and

Abbeville County, South Carolina Abbeville County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,295. Its county seat is Abbeville. It is the first county (or county equivalent) in the United States alphabetically. Abbevi ...

, each would contribute $25,000 (equivalent to $ in ) to their state's obligation. In April 1925, Abbeville County voted for a $25,000 bridge bond, and in August, Elbert County matched the sum. In June 1925, Elbert County Commissioners were assured by the State Highway Board that the Calhoun Highway would be funded from Johnsontown, Georgia, to the bridge site on the Savannah River at Burton's Ferry. In August 1925, Searcy B. Slack offered two plans for the crossing, a steel deck truss bridge and a reinforced concrete arch bridge. In February 1926, Emmett M. Williams of

Monroe, Georgia Monroe is a city and the county seat of Walton County, Georgia, Walton County, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States. It is located both one hour east of Atlanta via U.S. Route 78 in Georgia, US 78 and Georgia State Route 138, GA 138 to I ...

, secured the lowest bid for the concrete arch bridge at $213,992 (equivalent to $ in ). An unnamed bridge company from

Greensboro, North Carolina Greensboro (; ) is a city in Guilford County, North Carolina, United States, and its county seat. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, its population was 299,035; it was estimated to be 307,381 in 2024. It is the List of municipalitie ...

, was the low bidder for the steel deck truss bridge. Despite the higher cost, Abbeville County insisted on the concrete arch design. Ground was broken March 23, 1926, by James Y. Swift of Elberton.

Design and construction

The bridge was an eleven-span concrete arch design, with the symmetrical arches of two ribs and open spandrels. The approach girders were long and the bridge had a vertical clearance of above the river surface. The spans were long and wide. Two memorial tablets, bolted to the banisters, were later removed. At the time of its construction, it was one of the largest reinforced concrete bridges in the southeastern United States.

Dedication

The

American Legion The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is an Voluntary association, organization of United States, U.S. war veterans headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. It comprises U.S. state, state, Territories of the United States, U.S. terr ...

posts in both counties suggested that the bridge be a memorial to American soldiers who lost their lives in the

Great War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, and by September 1927, the span was being referred to as the Georgia–Carolina Memorial Bridge. The crossing was officially opened at a large dedication ceremony on

Armistice Day Armistice Day, later known as Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth and Veterans Day in the United States, is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark Armistice of 11 November 1918, the armistice signed between th ...

1927. Miss Ida Calhoun, lineal descendant of

, broke a bottle of ginger ale over the concrete banister at the center of the bridge.

Replacement

The bridge was replaced by a new crossing in 1981.

References

External links