Campbell’s Covered Bridge is the last remaining covered bridge in South Carolina. It was built in 1909 and is located in Greenville County near the small town of Gowensville.
One of four covered bridges built in northeastern Greenville County in the early 20th century, this one was named for Lafayette Campbell, the owner of a nearby grist mill who allowed his land to be used for the bridge’s construction.
At the time, covered bridges were especially popular in the mountains because they provided extra protection for river and creek crossings in snow and ice. Easier access across the creeks in all kinds of weather significantly reduced travel time and helped connect the small communities scattered through this rural area.
Among the many benefits, and perhaps foremost in the mind of Lafayette Campbell, was the fact that it was easier for farmers to bring their corn to his mill.
The Campbell Covered Bridge site is now owned by Greenville County. It was permanently closed to traffic in the early 1980s. Major restorations have been undertaken twice, first in 1964 and again in 1990.
As you enter the bridge, a marker reads: “This bridge, built in 1909, is the last extant covered bridge in S.C. Built by Charles Irwin Willis (1878–1966), it was named for Alexander Lafayette Campbell (1836–1920), who owned and operated a grist mill here for many years. Measuring 35 feet long and 12 feet wide, it is an excellent example of a four-span Howe truss, featuring diagonal timbers and vertical iron rods.”
Campbell’s Covered Bridge is listed in the National Register:
Campbell’s Covered Bridge, built in 1909, is significant for its role in transportation in early twentieth century Greenville County and as an excellent intact example of a Howe truss covered bridge, the only surviving covered bridge in the state. Charles Irwin Willis, an accomplished local builder in the northern part of Greenville County, built the bridge. The bridge was named for Alexander Lafayette Campbell, local landowner and millwright who lived at the site and operated a corn grist mill about 50 feet downstream from the bridge. The bridge was one of four covered bridges built in this part of northern Greenville County in the first decade of the twentieth century. Campbell’s Covered Bridge was the largest and most sophisticated of the four.
The construction of this bridge connected several rural communities and small towns in the immediate vicinity, so that a 25-mile trip which had once taken a full day before the bridge was completed could be made in about an hour afterwards. Campbell’s Covered Bridge is a four-span Howe truss bridge with counter braces. The two outer spans are 9’ long and the two inner spans are 8’ long. Each truss is 4” x 8”, and each counter brace is made from 2” x 8” pine boards nailed together in an interlocking pattern. Vertical tie rods called kingposts, made from 1” diameter iron rods, are in between each span, tying the top and bottom chords together. This method of truss construction absorbs and transfers a passing vehicle’s weight to the rock abutments on each end of the bridge. The bridge is 35’ long by 12’ wide and has a metal roof.
More Pictures of Campbell’s Covered Bridge
Campbell’s Covered Bridge Info
Address: 171 Campbell Covered Bridge Road, Landrum, SC 29456
GPS Coordinates: 35.085771,-82.264147
Campbell’s Covered Bridge Map
Take Me There
Martha, my mother, walked this bridge in the early ’40s. She’s 82 now and remembers it well.
I love the bridge and would like to buy note cards of Cambell Bridge. I grew up in the area but have been gone from SC for years.
Does anyone know if it’s possible to fly a small drone there to shoot HD video of this covered bridge? A good time when no one is around the bridge for safety purposes. It would be a great “point of interest” subject if possible?
Absolutely
Can someone direct me to the person I would need to contact in regards of doing a small wedding here? I can’t find much information on it.
Hi, Misty. A link above the map on the page should direct you to someone who can answer your questions about private use of the bridge. Good luck!
My people know how to build a bridge…:)
Sherry Vanburen, dogs are allowed if on a leash, We like to take Poppy to Poinsett Bridge as we let her loose if no one else is there. We take the 25 minute ride just to go out there. We usually go during the week as we find ourselves there alone. If no one is around we let her loose as she listens good. Have to keep an eye out in case someone shows up than we use leash. May get busy now that school will be out soon. Worth a ride out to check. Let me know how you like either if you go.
Was this a good stop for your dog? Finding it difficult to find much about it online, regarding bringing the pooch.
Heading there today with my Lady and my Poppy (boxer/hound).
This is beautiful. I enjoyed looking at the pictures.
This was built by my great, great grandfather. Glad everyone is able to enjoy it as we did growing up!
I have special memories for the bridge and surrounding grounds because of my grandparents, J.D.Smith and Belle Smith, whose former home is now the park. I played on that bridge and in the creek as a little girl. Their youngest son, Louis, is my dad, and my mom and dad had their first kiss on this bridge. Such special memories for our family.
I am wondering if I have to have permission to take family photos for a family on the bridge or property this weekend. I do not want to do the session for the family if it would be illegal to have the bridge in their family pictures or if they use them for Christmas cards. If I do need permission, can you please direct me to who I need to contact. Thanks so much!
It’s a park you should have no problems
This place is beautiful! I was wanting to know if it were open for small weddings (between 25-100 people)? Thanks!
I believe this is a family member. I do not have access to my family information right now, but I am pretty sure. Just amazing.
I visited this wonderful bridge and took some great pics… There were two families there at the same time getting family pics done, I waited my turn to take pics of this historical bridge… It is a very peaceful place… I would love to post my pics on here to share.
Lorene, that would be great! Here is the form where you can submit your pictures to the SC Picture Project:
https://www.sciway.net/forms/pictures.html
I think it is a very beautiful place. So peaceful and quiet. A very nice place to take photos at too. I love it there…
I would like to write a poem about this and would appreciate some feedback. Thank you
Hi Angela – that sounds like an interesting idea and we would enjoy reading it!
I visited this bridge with family who lived in Greenville, probably around 2005. It seemed a beautiful place until we discovered the remains of a house which appeared to have been razed to the ground. One thing which disturbed me was a statue of Christ with one arm missing and a garland of flowers draped over it. I’m from Scotland and that image has stayed with me. Does anyone have an explanation?
Saw the sign on the way home from Greenville Highland games. It was a sunny beautiful day and the 11 mile drive from 25 was so pretty. There wasn’t a soul there when we were there, and it was surreal – so postcard perfect and pristine. We walked down to the river, and walked on the rock beds and just soaked in the quiet beauty. Thank you Greenville!
I moved to North Carolina 4 years ago and now have lots of visitors from up north. While showing them the sights last week we saw the sign on Highway 25 and followed it to this lovely bridge. We had a picnic lunch with us and enjoyed the beautiful day. Be sure to bring a camera, our pictures came out great. I hope this beautiful bridge is here for many more years for others to enjoy.
We had passed the sign many times. Decided it was time to take a look at a covered bridge. It was worth the short trip to such a delightful spot. I felt like I was in New England.It is a beautiful place to take the children or just spend quiet moments. Thanks Greenville, for this beautiful place.
Visited the bridge yesterday on a clear fall afternoon. It is a quiet place, and has some adjacent trails. It would be a nice place to spend a few hours for a picnic lunch.
I was very pleased to see your coverage and pictures of the Campbell Covered Bridge. We visit the site about once a year and enjoy the views of and around the bridge. My father was Byrd B.Campbell, Sr. and the son of Lafayette Campbell. Thank you for providing good information and pictures and for keeping the site updated and current.
My husband and I happened to see the sign for Campbell Covered Bridge on our way back from Hendersonville, NC on Highway 25. We decided to go and take a look at it since we were in no hurry to get back home. We both loved it. It is such a beautiful bridge and it was so peaceful around it. We hope to come back again soon and bring our grandsons with us. Hearing the sounds of the creek were so soothing and it would be the perfect place for a picnic. We hope Greenville County will keep the property in good shape. We both felt like we had taken a step back in history. Again, we loved it!
Beautiful picture of a classic structure! Too bad it’s the last one in the state. Hopefully Greenville County will continue to place a high priority on the maintenance of this historic bridge!