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Elizabethton, Carter County

If you find errors in the data please contact Bill Caswell.

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Inventory Number: TN/42-10-01
County: Carter County
Township:
Town/Village: Elizabethton
Bridge Name: Elizabethton
Crosses: Doe River
Truss type: Howe
Spans: 1
Length: 134'
Roadway Width:
Built: 1882
Builder:
When Lost: standing
Cause:
Latitude: N36 20.841
Longitude: W082 12.706
See a map of the area
Topographic map of the area
Directions: 0.2 miles south of jct TN91 (Broad St.) on US19E/321/PA37, then 0.1 miles right on Elk Ave., then 0.1 miles left on Main St. and 0.1 miles right on 3rd St. Between Main St. and Riverside Dr.

Elizabethton Bridge, Elizabethton, Carter County, TN Built 1882
Bill Caswell Photo, July 27, 2008

Comments:
Elizabethton Bridge over Doe River was built in 1882. As the county seat, Elizabethton grew throughout the 19th century. However, Lynn Mountain hemmed it in to the east and the Watauga River lay to the north. The Doe River flooded often and limited growth to the south. To span westward, to the site of the current downtown, the city would need a bridge over the Doe River. After extensive debate, in 1882 the Carter County Court approved $3,000 for the bridge and $300 for approaches. The court appointed a committee to select a site for the bridge. However, the committee encountered an unexpected problem — the men could not find a qualified contractor to erect the bridge. A local doctor, E.E. Hunter, accepted the contract and hired experienced people to work on the bridge. Hunter selected Thomas Matson, who had been an engineer for the narrow gauge Tweetsie Railroad as an engineer and architect. Hunter referred to the bridge as his "five dollar bridge" since he made a profit of $5 as contractor. Although logs from a lumber operation and a barn were thrown against the covered bridge and its supports during a disastrous flood in 1901, this was the only major bridge in the area to survive.

Source:
National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. World Guide to Covered Bridges, 2021, page 136

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