Athens in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

River Overview

The Mill Bridge

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022

1. River Overview Marker

Inscription. Built around 1885, a wooden covered bridge connected the mill community of Potterytown to the Check Factory textile mill.

On this site the mill bridge brought East Broad Street to the front door of the mill. By 1909, this bridge was replaced with an iron bridge. The present concrete bridge was built in 1975, when the road was shifted away from the mill entrance to its current location. Covered bridges were also once located at College Avenue, North Avenue, Oconee Street, and Sandy Creek.

(captions)
Top: Circa 1860 engraving of the Oconee St. Covered Bridge with the University of Georgia campus and downtown Athens in the background.

Right: Circa 1900 photo of the North Ave. covered bridge with large train trestle in background.

This circa 1900 photo shows the Check Factory with mill housing on the hill behind the covered bridge.
Reprinted by permission from David Lewis Earnest Photo Collection, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, UGA Libraries.

Circa 1920 Post card view of Check Factory with Iron bridge

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Covered Bridges series list.

Location. 33° 57.52′

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N, 83° 22.02′ W. Marker is in Athens, Georgia, in Athens-Clarke County. Marker can be reached from East Broad Street east of Wilkerson Street, on the right. Located along the Athens-North Oconee River Greenway overlooking the river. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Athens GA 30601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named River Overview (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named River Overview (a few steps from this marker); A View to History (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Power (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Water Power (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Water Power (about 300 feet away); Cook & Brother Armory Building (about 300 feet away); Cook & Brother Confederate Armory (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, September 23, 2022

2. River Overview Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2022, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.