Little Gap Creek 2 Photograph by Lisa Wooten

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Little Gap Creek 2

by Lisa Wooten

Canvas Print

$73

Framed Print

$82

Art Print

$28

Poster

$28

Metal Print

$79

Acrylic Print

$87

Wood Print

$59

Tapestry

$44

Throw Pillow

$29

Fleece Blanket

$49

Duvet Cover

$105

Shower Curtain

$69

Bath Towel

$36

Ornament

$11

Jigsaw Puzzle

$40

Tote Bag

$29

Weekender Tote Bag

$44

Zip Pouch

$26

Portable Battery Charger

$48

Yoga Mat

$61

Greeting Card

$5.20

Spiral Notebook

$16

Sticker

$4.00

iPhone Case

$28

Beach Towel

$36

Round Beach Towel

$71

Weekender Tote Bag

$44

Coffee Mug

$15

Men's Clothing

$29

Women's Clothing

$29

Youth Clothing

$25

Toddler Clothing

$23

Baby Clothing

$27

Title

Little Gap Creek 2

Artist

Lisa Wooten

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Purchased: 2019

Poinsett Bridge over Little Gap Creek
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There is a historic bridge not far from home, built way back in 1820. It is located in Greenville County here in South Carolina, and is the oldest surviving bridge in the state, possibly in the southeast. It was constructed of stone and was one of the first completed elements of the State Road, which would ultimately connect Charleston to Columbia in South Carolina to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

I have ridden there three times so far. These photographs are from my first and second trips there, the first on a warm day in June of 2008, the second on a cool ride the day before Christmas, 2008.

The Poinsett Bridge is the only bridge left of the three originally constructed as part of the Saluda Mountain Road. It still stands in remarkably good shape. The Poinsett Bridge has a Gothic or pointed arch that is 15 feet high and 7 feet wide. The total length of the bridge is 130 feet. Stepped parapet walls were constructed on both sides of the bridge. The height of the bridge, from the water to the top of the parapets, is 24 feet.

Not much remains of the old Saluda Mountain Road except that portion adjacent to the bridge. The old roadbed has been masked by the construction of County Road 42, also known as Callahan Mountain Road.

Another original feature of the bridge was a railing or guardrail on either end of the stepped stone parapets. This would have served to protect travelers along those areas of the bridge, especially around the abutments, not protected by the highest section of the parapets. This railing was presumably made of wood.

Except for the arch, the stones used in the bridge are only roughly hewn. To ensure a good fit, mortar was used throughout. In fact, the only smooth-faced stones found in the whole bridge, are those that define the outer edges of the arch, technically called the �surround.� The arch, which rests on bedrock in the streambed, is formed by rectangular-shaped blocks or voussoirs that are slightly wedge-shaped and cut to fit into the arch. The stones facing outward are slightly raised to create relief. The alternating pattern, the relief, plus the pointed apex of the Gothic arch, give the bridge a medieval look. Overall, the bridge walls contain roughly coursed stone. Given the difficulty of transporting stone in the era of animal transportation, it is likely that the stone used in the bridge was quarried nearby.

The bridge�s date of construction is known because it is recorded in the key stone of the Gothic arch, which forms the passage for Little Gap Creek, called Callahan Branch today, a small tributary of the North Fork of the Saluda River.

The bridge is located immediately north of County Road 42, often known locally as Dividing Water Road. See the map of my entire ride today with Poinsett Bridge shown at pushpin "E." It is just down the road to the northwest of Boy Scout Camp Old Indian. Google