Hardin Bridge, near Kingston, is one of the very last iron steel truss bridges with a wooden deck left in the United States still open to traffic. Unfortunately, the bridge itself is also nearing its end as its weight limit was recently dropped from 12 tons to 3 tons. In fact, the only reason that this span hasn't already been replaced is that the project to replace it was delayed due to state funding issues. The bridge was scheduled to be replaced as early as 2003, but is now scheduled for 2007 and very likely to follow through this time considering the safety issues involved with this remaining relic. Unfortunately, no efforts have been made to rehabilitate the structure, proving that there is no desire to replace this very unique part of North Georgia.

Click on photo to view a larger image. Photo here is a side angle view looking south of the bridge and north pier. A small approach segment exists on the north side as well.The bank drops off steep from this point.

Hardin Bridge, located on the site of what was historically Gillem's Bridge historically, is a county-built structure. It was completed in 1930 under the direction of the commissioner of roads and revenue, A.V. Neal. The 76 year-old structure was built by Austin Brothers Bridge Company featuring four spans including short approach spans on each end and two main Pratt truss spans. The design was much sturdier than Douthit Bridge, and was obviously built later. Hardin Bridge, unlike Douthit, does not creak and groan as cars cross it. In all, the structure gets more attention these days because all other such structures in the county have long since been closed or replaced. In fact, since this page was published several online photo galleries have been published featuring this bridge. It is a living window into the past when life was not so complicated and Bartow County was farm country.

Speaking of the past, apparently the past has not forgotten it either. It is a local legend that the bridge is haunted from what sounds like people who have died on the bridge. I recall myself on a late night visit hearing what sounded like screaming when I first approached the bridge in the dark. Reports are that at night you can hear creepy noises and can even see what appears to be the headlights of a car driving off the bridge. Apparently something scared somebody, as you will see with the bridge damage photo in the gallery below.

Anyway, the time is growing very short for this bridge and a grass roots effort is needed to make sure that this bridge is preserved for future generations, although this will ultimately and unfortunately not include cars. In fact, it would be ideal if the structure could simply be rehabilitated in its current form (keeping the wooden deck) with weakened structural elements replaced or shored up to assure that it can last at least another decade. Just because the bridge cannot carry modern weight limits does not mean that it should be closed and abandoned. Although the new bridge will most likely run to the east of this structure, this is not for certain. Either way, every effort should be made to make sure that Hardin Bridge is saved, either in its present location or in some other location. When it is finally closed, a very unique piece of Bartow County and northwestern Georgia will be lost forever.

All photos below by J.T. Legg. Including the photo to the right, the first six photos and the last photo all taken January 24, 2006. Photos 7-12 were taken on December 30, 2004.