Black History Month: Red Oak Bridge – Woodbury, GA
by Chaundra Grant
Black people’s ingenuity and skill have literally built much of this nation’s foundation. Sadly, due to their enslaved status from 1619 to 1863, history doesn’t always give credit to those whose free labor set the stage for America’s rise to prominence. But the truth is strong and it prevails, much like the historic Red Oak Bridge near Warm Springs, Georgia.
This covered bridge was built by Horace King, a freed slave who is known for his remarkable skill as a builder.
Bridges help us find our way conveniently from one point to another. They often carry us over rocky terrain or bodies of water, but they move us forward with ease. The building of a bridge, requires skill and foresight. The Red Oak Bridge still stands today as an example.
It attracts hundreds of visitors every year. At 391 feet, including the approaches, this structure is the oldest and longest covered bridge still used in Georgia and might be one of the sturdiest. Known as the “Kissing Bridge” it’s still open to traffic and was featured in the film “Lawless.”
Visit exploresouthernhistory.com/redoak.html to learn more about Horace King and his work.
