Built in 1929, the Old Dunham Bridge is a steel truss bridge which stretches over the Saluda River in Greenville County. It is located near present-day SC 81 and was once along the main route from Downtown Greenville to Anderson. This bridge was still being used into the late 1990s.
Joseph Baker of Summerville, 2008 © Do Not Use Without Written ConsentThe bridge is one of the last remaining steel truss bridges in the state that still has its complete structure intact. Now it can be accessed by the adjacent Dolly Cooper Park on the Powdersville side of the Saluda or the Greenville side by walking or riding a bike.
Photographer Joseph Baker writes, “During my teenage years I had the pleasure of driving over it, and I remember that is was so narrow only one car could cross at a time. But there was always that daredevil who just couldn’t be patient.”
I have kayaked down the Saluda. Just up stream from the Dunham bridge on the left lies the old abutment. I also would like to know history of that crossing.
I would like to know more about the old bridge ruins that are located inside Dolly Cooper park.
Can you actually walk on the bridge?
The chain link gates at either end of the bridge are now unlocked and open, so yes you can walk across it.
What about the really old Dunham bridge, which was a covered bridge??
Only the pillars of the bridge you’re talking about remain.