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Greene
County, Tennessee
(WGN
42-78-01) (WGCB TN-78-01) (1875; restored 1972; restored
2002) A single-span Queenpost truss 63' 8" over the East Fork of
the Little Pigeon River. Located: In Harrisburg, Tennessee
on Old Covered Bridge Road. Directions: From Sevierville, Tennessee
at the intersection of US 411/SR 35, and SR 66, go east 4.2 miles on US
411/SR 35 to SR 339, on the right; follow 0.9 mile to Harrisburg Road,
on the right (Bridge informational sign); follow to Old Covered Bridge
Road; go right to the bridge. An earlier bridge, at this site, was
washed away in 1875 and rebuilt the same year. The bridge was named
after the local community and is the oldest remaining authentic covered
bridge in Tennessee. This structure, along with the Elizabethton
Covered Bridge (WGN 42-10-01), are the only
two historic covered bridges in Tennessee still carrying motor traffic.
The bridge had severely deteriorated and was destined for destruction when
it was saved and restored in 1972. Under the National Historic Covered
Bridge Preservation Program, the Federal Highway Administration approved
$96,392.00 on September 26, 2001 for additional restoration work.
The restoration was completed and the bridge reopened for
traffic, with a 15 ton weight limit, on December 2, 2004. The bridge
is supported by a non modified half-height Queenpost truss, set on mortared
cut stone piers at each portal. The bridge sits among dense woods
along the river, with some homes nearby. An informational sign about
the bridge is nearby, at the jct. of Harrisburg Road and SR 239.
Also known as the Pigeon Covered Bridge and the McNutts Covered
Bridge. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on June 10, 1975. (Mar 2006) |
