The bridge over the Doe River in Elizabethton, Tennessee might seem unremarkable at first glance, seeing as how it does little more than connect 3rd Street and Hattie Avenue and only allows pedestrian traffic to cross it. However, the marker placed on it by the Tennessee Historical Commission is just a hint at the significance it has and continues to have on the history and culture of surrounding Carter County and the entire region.
“The Queen of the South”
While the history of Carter County extends back to the days of the Thirteen Colonies, the Covered Bridge was built in early 1882. Bridges were often covered during the 18th century to fend against harsh weather and keep horses from getting spooked. It contains one traffic lane and a single walkway and is believed to be the oldest covered bridge in the state.
Spanning the Doe River for 134 feet, and resting on earth and stone abutments on either side, the original structure was built entirely of wood, with steel spikes used to fasten together the massive oak pieces used in the flood. Termed an engineering feat, and listed in the Historic Engineering Record, the Covered Bridge survived numerous floods, including the great May flood of 1901, which destroyed all the other bridges in the county that crossed the Doe River. That contributed to it becoming known as the “Queen of the South,” although it has numerous other nicknames including the “Kissing Bridge” and “Queen of Landmarks.”
All of this history has contributed to seeing the Covered Bridge become one of the most photographed and most admired historical structures in Carter County.
A Bridge to the Past and Present of Carter County
Now closed to all motor vehicle traffic, a trip across the Elizabethton Covered Bridge enables visitors to experience the past and present of Carter County in a profound way. It is adjacent to a large city park area with walking trails, baseball diamonds, and picnic areas, along with the rest of downtown Elizabethton.
Most of Elizabethton’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its historical and architectural merits, and the Covered Bridge provided visitors with a means to easily access all of this history. That includes the Veteran’s Monument, which sits just a couple blocks away from the Covered Bridge.
The Elizabethton Walking & Bike Trail runs right along the Covered Bridge, but visitors can use the Bridge as a starting or ending spot for a trip that allows them to see that many more of these types of bridges across the state. It’s a distinction that underscores the different experiences the Bridge can directly and indirectly enable, which has impacted the culture and economy of the area in a major way.
One of the Most Prominent Points of Interest in Carter County
The Covered Bridge is prominently featured in materials designed to promote a visit to Elizabethton and Carter County and is also showcased as one of the prominent points of interests in the area. It’s an important landmark for residents as well though, since it’s along the Elk Avenue route for the annual July 4 and Christmas parades. It’s not the most significant event that draws an audience though.
The Annual Covered Bridge Celebration is a festival that features award-winning musicians, fantastic vendors and takes place right by the Covered Bridge. Activities from Ice Cream Socials to 5K Runs to yoga classes take place at the event, which pulls in an audience from across the region. This popularity has translated into a variety of merchandise opportunities for supporters of the event during and long after it has concluded.
In 2006, the Doe River Weir Dam received several improvements that enhanced the fish habitat and protected the water quality by stabilizing the river’s banks. These improvements happened within a few hundred yards of the Covered Bridge and are just a small example of the positive changes the Bridge has been involved with, which also include the stage and seating area for the Covered Bridge Park.
These developments have spurred economic activity as well, as the Covered Bridge is also a prominent feature on advertisements and in places like the Covered Bridge Café, which resides a couple blocks from the Bridge. They’re indicative of the sense of identity that the Covered Bridge has created for the area, which has important ramifications for the people and the entire community.
How Identity Can Influence Legacy
The form and function of the Elizabethton Covered Bridge aren’t especially distinct when compared to other covered bridges in the region, but the sense of identity it has created for the area is what makes it so monumentous. It’s an identity that has defined a legacy that continues to influence the economy and culture of the whole area in a positive way.
