Ruff's Mill and Concord Covered Bridge, Civil War historic district in Smyrna, US
Ruff's Mill and Concord Covered Bridge is a historic site in Smyrna featuring a wooden bridge spanning 130 feet (40 meters) across Nickajack Creek, built with timber and steel reinforcements. The grounds include the mill building, residential structures, and the stone-built bridge, all representing the rural infrastructure of the 19th century.
The site was established around 1830 as a mill operation and became important to the local economy throughout the 19th century. During the Civil War in 1864, it was the location of a significant battle that left damage on the buildings.
The mill complex shows rural industrial life in Georgia, with the Miller's House reflecting the architectural style typical of the 1850s. The site preserves the character of a former working place where daily activities centered around grain processing and family living.
The site is best explored on foot, as the bridge has a low clearance and cannot be used by large vehicles. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time to walk through the buildings and outdoor areas.
The fieldstone walls of the mill building still show bullet holes from 1864, revealing the direct impact of the battle on the structure. The building was briefly used as a field hospital after the fighting, then returned to its original purpose.
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