Sewanee Natural Bridge, Natural sandstone arch in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States.
Sewanee Natural Bridge is a sandstone arch formation in Franklin County, Tennessee. The structure rises approximately 25 feet (7 meters) high and spans roughly 50 feet (15 meters) across, creating a natural opening above the surrounding forested terrain.
The arch formation developed over thousands of years through erosion shaped by water and climate exposure. The University of the South in Sewanee acquired the land and helped establish the site as a protected natural area.
The Silver Jews, an alternative rock band, named their 1996 album 'The Natural Bridge' after this geological structure in Tennessee.
The site is best reached by driving south on Highway 56 from Sewanee and turning onto Natural Bridge Road. The location is straightforward to visit, especially during dry weather when the paths around the formation are easier to walk.
A small spring in a rock cave behind the arch played a key role in shaping the formation. This water source eroded the sandstone gradually over time, creating the distinctive arch shape seen today.
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