James B. Garrison Bridge

James B. Garrison Bridge is a reinforced concrete arch bridge spanning across Lake Tillery to connect Stanly and Montgomery Counties. The structure carries traffic on NC 24/27/73 with its series of arches supporting vehicles between the eastern and western shorelines.

The bridge opened in 1927 to replace the earlier Swift Island Ferry Bridge, which was submerged when Lake Tillery was created by Carolina Power and Light. This construction marked an important shift from ferry transportation to a permanent road connection across the water.

Named after North Carolina State Senator James B. Garrison in 1979, the structure represents the engineering capabilities of early 20th century American infrastructure.

The bridge is open daily for vehicle traffic and provides an important crossing point for those traveling between the two counties. You can drive across or stop at nearby viewing areas to take in views of the lake and surrounding landscape.

The original Swift Island Bridge required unconventional demolition methods involving multiple attempts with artillery and aerial attacks before explosives finally brought it down. This dramatic removal process reflects the challenges of infrastructure transition during a major landscape transformation.

Location: North Carolina

Official opening: 1927

GPS coordinates: 35.30830,-80.07950

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:08