Few People Know The History Behind Waldo Covered Bridge, The Second Oldest In Alabama

Alabama is home to several covered bridges, including Waldo Covered Bridge. Although this covered bridge is more than 150 years old, many people still aren't familiar with its history. For information about Waldo Covered Bridge, including its history, take a look below.

Alabama's Waldo Covered Bridge, which spans the Talladega Creek, is located on private property in the tiny town of Waldo off Alabama Highway 77. Built in 1858, it's also the state's second oldest surviving covered bridge.

Also known as Riddle Mill Covered Bridge, Waldo Covered Bridge is 115 feet long and was constructed from metal and wood using two different bridge styles that were popular during the mid-1850s: Howe Truss and Queenpost Truss. It was originally built to provide access to Riddle’s Hole, a nearby gold mine.

This historic bridge was built on a Socopatoy Indian trail. Just a few steps away is a circa-1840s grist mill, which was once used as a town hall and a popular restaurant.

Another interesting fact about this bridge, according to legend, is that Union Gen. James H. Wilson used it during the Civil War to get his men through the area.

Currently, Waldo Covered Bridge rests on two stone piers and is sadly in danger of collapsing. Its front and back sections have been removed to keep people from driving across it.

Were you already familiar with the history of Alabama's Waldo Covered Bridge? Let us know in the comments below!

To experience more of Alabama's covered bridges, you'll want to take the state's covered bridge trail. For information, be sure to take a look at the following article: There’s A Covered Bridge Trail In Alabama And You’ll Want To Take It.