Kesler Covered Bridge, Homer Georgia
The Kesler Covered Bridge was built in 1925 with Robert Verner as foreman of the construction crew. Others who worked on this bridge were Eugene Vaughn, J. A. Kesler, Grady Crump and Daye Crump. The bridge was named for the Kesler family who, at that time, owned land adjoining the bridge. J. A. Kesler, who helped to build this bridge, was a member of that family.
The bridge was built to replace an earlier bridge that was washed away in a flood. The foundations were raised and the present bridge is a few feet higher than the previous bridge.
This bridge is unusual because of the fact it is constructed of two different truss designs for a single span. On the north end of this bridge is a Kingpost Truss and on the south end, a Queenpost Truss. Normally, a bridge no longer than this would have been designed with a single truss, a Queenpost Truss.
The Kesler Covered Bridge is one of 21 covered bridges remaining in Georgia and one of only 13 that are still in use. Six of Georgia's covered bridges are built of the Kingpost and Queenpost Truss design. Three are of the Kingpost design and two of the Queenpost design and the Kesler Covered Bridge is made of both designs. These truss designs are the earliest and simplist used in covered bridge construction.
Bridge Description
The Kesler Covered Bridge spans the Middle Fork of the Broad River on County Line Road on the border of Banks and Franklin Counties, Georgia. County Line Road is an unpaved dirt road. The bridge is completely covered and extends 69 feet in length with one span. The bridge is 14 feet wide, overall, and 14 feet high from the deck to the ridge line at the center of the roof. Vehicle clearance is 11 feet.
Construction of this bridge is unusual because the single span is supported by two trusses of different design. One is of the Kingpost design, on the north end, and the other is of the Queenpost design, on the south end. The timbers used in these trusses are 6 x 10 inches in size and of heart pine. The compression rods are 1½ inches in diameter and made of iron. The floor sills are 4 x 10 inches in size and joists are of the same size. The deck is made of 2 x 6 inch planks and there are no longitudinal runners. There is very little cross bracing overhead. The roof is supported by rafters only and this lack of overhead bracing has caused the bridge to list. The metal roof is in good shape and protects the bridge.
This bridge rests on concrete abutments at each end. The sides are covered with pine boards and batten and some boards are missing. The roof overhang is about one foot on the sides and two feet on the ends.
The bridge is in fair condition and needs some repairs to the ends of the roof, the siding, the floor, and additional bracing at the top. Installation of longitudinal runners would help considerably. The bridge is in use and sustains a moderate amount of traffic.
The Kesler Covered Bridge is listed as No. 10-06-11 in the World Guide to Covered Bridges, published by the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, 1972 edition.
