Waldo Covered Bridge

The Waldo Covered Bridge is a wooden bridge spanning Talladega Creek in Talladega County that uses both Howe truss and Queen-post truss design elements. The structure measures 115 feet (35 meters) long and was built using methods typical of rural bridge construction in the mid-1800s.

The bridge was built in 1858 to provide access to the Riddle's Hole gold mine in the area. It later served as a passage for Union General Wilson's troops during the Civil War.

The bridge name comes from its location near Waldo, a small settlement that once thrived around the mill operation downstream. Locals regard it as a reminder of how rural communities built their infrastructure to support daily work and trade.

The bridge sits on private property, so viewing from the ground requires permission from the Old Mill Restaurant, which manages the surrounding area. Plan your visit accordingly and ask for access before approaching the site.

This structure ranks as the second oldest covered bridge in Alabama and one of the few surviving examples from the 1800s in the state. What makes it stand out is that it has endured without any formal maintenance program, a testament to its original craftsmanship.

Location: Alabama

Inception: 1858

GPS coordinates: 33.37910,-86.02890

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:02