Love the bridge. Came during a rain storm and it was worth it. Can't wait to take a hike along the…read moreriver.

Swann Covered Bridge, also called Joy Covered Bridge or Swann-Joy Covered Bridge, is the longest of…read morethree remaining covered bridges located in Blount County as well as the longest covered bridge in the state of Alabama. INTERESTING NOTE - Since it was located on property owned by Swann Farms, it was generally called the Swann Bridge, although some residents also called it the Joy Bridge because it was on the road leading to Joy. [source ~ exploresouthernhistory.com] ~ HISTORY Swann Covered Bridge is 324 feet long and crosses the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River. It was completed/open for traffic in 1933 using the Town lattice truss system over three spans and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1981. It is the 2nd oldest of the three remaining covered bridges in the county (Easley & Horton Mill) even though construction for Horton Mill began in 1894. It was closed in 2009 after 76 years of continual use, but was restored and reopened to motor vehicle traffic in October of 2012. It was closed again in 2018 after being damaged from a motor vehicle accident, but reopened by December of the same year. All three covered bridges were restored starting in 2011 at a total restoration cost of approximately $540,000. Part of the money for these projects came from the federal National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program. [source ~ Wikipedia] Once upon a time as many as 12,000 covered bridges once existed in the United States. By 2018 there were less than one thousand, with Pennsylvania having the most at about 219, Ohio second with about 142 and Indiana third with about 130. SIDE NOTE: Did you know a covered wooden bridge can outlast a metal bridge? ~ THE EXPERIENCE Looking for things to do, we decided to travel to Alabama and visit a few landmarks and explore some of its natural beauty. Simply put, Swann's Covered Bridge is located in one of the most stunning settings I've seen of any covered bridge. Geologically, Locust Fork seems to have carved a wide canyon through this section of Alabama on its way to Black Warrior River. The results are tall cliffs & beautiful scenic views. There is a beach like feeling below the bridge with a thick layer of sand that locals seem to enjoy visiting. While there we actually met several other families out visiting off-the-grid locations for a little COVID-19 relief. Everyone just grateful to be able to get out while still maintaining social distancing protocols (although I must admit we learned children forget quickly when they see other kids, no matter how much you've reminded them). One guy told me that covered bridges initially became popular because horses didn't like crossing over wide open bridges. I'd never heard that before, but thought it was very interesting. I suppose that made it difficult for people traveling via horse drawn carriages. Sadly, many of our nations historic covered bridges were destroyed not by time or weather, but by vandals. So in 2015, after graffiti was found on nearby Easley bridges interior, security cameras were installed to help deter vandalism. ~ FACTS AT A GLANCE Year built: 1933 Construction method: Town Lattice Refurbished: 2012 Length: 324 ft Deck Width: 16.1 ft Horizontal Clearance: 10 ft (guesstimate) Vertical Clearance: 13 ft Under Clearance: 27 ft Open to vehicular traffic: YES [May 2020] FUN FACT - There is a Covered Bridge Festival held the fourth weekend of each October spotlighting Blount's three remaining Covered Bridges. It also includes arts & crafts, a pancake breakfast, car show, kids fun zone, entertainment, 5K run, quilt show, river walk and more. Not sure if they will host the 2020 edition of the festival, so best to call the County directly. ~ FINAL THOUGHTS Whether you are a covered bridge enthusiast like me, or you are looking for a great place to take interesting photos (such as engagement or pregnancy pics), or you just wanna find a place to explore the outdoors without a lot of people... this is a fantastic little spot to add to your drive, and your photo collection. After all, it is practically a destination all by itself with a relaxing beach just below its floor. Truly wish I had planned more time here! 2020 / 28

Nowhere near the size of a "big city" library, but certainly big enough. There is adequate setting…read moreto have several folks there and still leave "social distancing space". The staff was really nice and helpful.

I hate to say it, but, this is the noisiest library I've ever been in!…read moreThe staff carried on conversations in normal tone of voice, which easily carried to the table areas. A second day visiting was as bad as the first. A patron sitting BEHIND, and adjacent, was talking (loudly) to the staff seated behind their desk area and behind the plexiglass bio-weapon shield. They were talking back just as loudly to her. I had no choice but to get up and leave. An ear pod and a hand over the opposing ear just wasn't enough! And I should not have had to sit like that anyways trying to concentrate at my task at hand!

the Cullman is THE BEST office around. they are kind and friendly and know what they are talking…read moreabout. The Cullman office needs to teach the Trussville Alabama SS office how to treat people. so the Cullman Office is the greatest with great knowledgeable office in my book. Thank you Cullman Office. 10 Stars plus Pk

Kris (blonde lady) behind the counter today was very friendly and knowledgeable! We enjoyed doing…read morebusiness with her! Quick and efficient!

Easley Covered Bridge, also known as Old Easley Covered Bridge, is the smallest of three remaining…read morecovered bridges located in Blount County, Alabama. ~ HISTORY Easley Covered Bridge is 95 feet long and crosses a tributary of Little Warrior River. It was constructed in 1927 using the Town lattice truss system and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1981. While it is shorter than its three counterparts (Swann & Horton Mill), it is the oldest of the three. It was closed in in 2009 after 82 years of continual use, but was restored and reopened to motor vehicle traffic in October of 2012. All three covered bridges were restored starting in 2011 at a total restoration cost of approximately $540,000. Part of the money for these projects came from the federal National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program. [source ~ Wikipedia] Once upon a time as many as 12,000 covered bridges once existed in the United States. By 2018 there were less than one thousand, with Pennsylvania having the most at about 219, Ohio second with about 142 and Indiana third with about 130. SIDE NOTE: Did you know a covered wooden bridge can outlast a metal bridge? ~ THE EXPERIENCE Looking for things to do, we decided to travel to Alabama and visit a few landmarks and explore some of its natural beauty. We approached the bridge from the East and parked using a very small pull-off suitable for two or three cars. The bridge looks to be in very good shape, as all the wood appears to be cedar and nicely stained. A small trail on the right side of the road led to the creek below where my grandchildren were sure there might be trolls lurking and for some reason thought the bridge was the way to the Muffin Man's house... You know, who lives on Drury Lane! LOL The underbelly of the bridge looked strong and seemed to be even newer than its 2012 restoration date. As a matter of fact, I would have guessed the renovations had only happened a few months prior based on how new it looked in appearance. While there we actually met two other Georgia families out visiting off-the-grid locations for a little COVID-19 relief. Everyone just grateful to be able to get out while still maintaining social distancing protocols (although I must admit we learned children forget quickly when they see other kids, no matter how much you've reminded them). The small creek below isn't particularly large or scenic, unlike the absolutely stunning river below Swann Bridge. Sadly, many of our nations historic covered bridges were destroyed not by time or weather, but by vandals. So in 2015, after graffiti was found in the bridge interior, security cameras were installed to help deter vandalism. FACTS AT A GLANCE Year built: 1927 Construction method: Town Lattice Refurbished: 2012 Length: 95 ft Deck Width: 10.8 ft Horizontal Clearance: 9 ft Vertical Clearance: 8 ft Open to vehicular traffic: YES [May 2020] FUN FACT - There is a Covered Bridge Festival held the fourth weekend of each October spotlighting Blount's three remaining Covered Bridges. It also includes arts & crafts, a pancake breakfast, car show, kids fun zone, entertainment, 5K run, quilt show, river walk and more. Not sure if they will host the 2020 edition of the festival, so best to call the County directly. FINAL THOUGHTS Whether you are a covered bridge enthusiast like me, or you are looking for a great place to take interesting photos (such as engagement or pregnancy pics), or you just wanna find a place to explore the outdoors without a lot of people... this is a fantastic little spot to add to your drive, and your photo collection. 2020 / 25