Hurricane Shoals 1872
The 1872 Hurricane Shoals Covered Bridge - Early settlement began in the 1780s at an area that was once a Creek and Cherokee Indian camping ground, called Yamtrahoochee. At the time, several buildings were built including a fort, schoolhouse, grist mill, and Baptist church.
A covered bridge was constructed in 1872, spanning 127 feet over the North Oconee River in Jackson County.
1n 1925, a hydroelectric generating plant was built that would provide electricity to the nearby booming town of Maysville. Two turbines were built, but only one was operational. Georgia Power purchased and operated the plant in 1930, but abandoned it after two years of operation.
With the intention to protect the historic area as a recreational facility, The Hurricane Shoals Park Association, Inc., was formed in 1962 to purchase much of the current property from Georgia Power. Federal, state, and local funding secured through 1977 led to the development of a pavilion, picnic shelters, restrooms, a footbridge, and picnic tables and grills.
There were over 250 covered bridges in Georgia, but now only 15 remain.
Located at: N34 12.840 W83 32.603 - WGCB #10-78-01 #2
Photographed in late November of 2018.