Remains of an old bridge on Upper Mullica

[pinelandpaddler]

This past weekend, I paddled the Mullica from Atsion to Sweetwater. The low water-levels made for a strenuous trip on the upper stretches, but also provided some opportunities to discover evidence of past operations along the river.

At one location, approximately midway between the confluence of SLeepy Creek and Constable bridge, I noticed supports of an old bridge.

If I recall, I think the location was around here:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18&n=4391971&e=528807&s=100&size=l&datum=nad83

I know that this information is imprecise, but if anyone has a clue I'd be very appreciative!

 

[Teegate]

It probably was just one of the numerous bridges that crossed these rivers years ago. They are always fun to find and explore, but they drive you crazy wondering when there were in use.

There always is the possibility that a land owner before Wharton owned property on both sides of the river. He would then build his own private bridge across it which would never show up on any map.

Edit: I did a quick search on numerious old maps and did not find anything. But an aerial view makes me think the location MAY have been a little more south.

Guy

 

[woodjin]

I found a couple old bridges on the Sleeper and vincinity that seemed ancient. Of course, it was low water level also. I know what you mean, the low water levels do reveal alot. It is neat, although alot more work to get through.

Jeff

 

[Oriental]

Are we talking about Lock's Bridge? If so, there are some previous posts about it if you search "Lock's Bridge".

Rich

 

[pinelandpaddler]

Guy,

I never even thought of the possibility that it could have been a private bridge from the post-wharton era. Good suggestion. And you're right about the location being further south than I had suggested.

Jeff,

Are you talking about the stretch of the Sleeper above 206? If so, are the remains located below the old bogs?

Rich,

No, I'm not thinking of locks bridge, but rather a location several miles downstream.

 

[BEHR655]

Are we talking about Lock's Bridge? If so, there are some previous posts about it if you search "Lock's Bridge".

Rich

No, this is much further down.

Steve

 

[woodjin]

Guy,


Jeff,

Are you talking about the stretch of the Sleeper above 206? If so, are the remains located below the old bogs?

Yes, above (west) of 206 between 206 and the RR crossing. There is another on the Clark branch near by.

Jeff

 

[onehand]

in paddling the mullica i too have seen it and many others on different waterways in the pines, they seem to go nowhere now, all woods on both sides. they would for the most part be hard to find by land if you did not mark them by GPS when on the water

on my gps map some of these gone bridges show roads that cross where no bridge remains can be seen at all, i always look for them

when these bridge remains are just below water level i sometimes catch them on the recessed gunnels on the bottom of my kayak and get spun around, fun, fun

 

[pinelandpaddler]

About a mile above Constable bridge on the Mullica is an old iron mining site in the form of a bog. There is a passageway which connects the bog to the river which I suspect was used to load small vessels. One can see wooden remains and several pipes sticking out of the mud. Does anyone know what the function of these pipes would have been? I'm trying to picture the operation, but I'm afraid I don't know enough to reconstruct it in my imagination.