Legend has it, that is was Estel Baird’s Chevy that left its mark on this old bridge in the 1950s.

STINKING CREEK, TN (WLAF) – Even when Estel Baird hit the old bridge with his blue and white 1953 Chevy, as legend has it, the stately bridge lasted another 65 years or so. However, on Monday, a stronger force than Baird’s car will hit the bridge; the wrecking ball. The ball will bring down the first bridge built on Stinking Creek Road, now known as Old Stinking Creek Road.

The new bridge in this photo came decades after the original Stinking Creek Bridge, a stone’s throw from the road sign.

Delmus Bruce knows the bridge well. It sits between the original Stanfield Church of God and the old Stinking Creek Elementary School. The legendary minister said, Andy McCullah was the county commissioner when the bridge was built by a company out of Chattanooga in 1929. Bruce can’t recall the name of the bridge but remembers that it did have a name though the sign is long gone.

Baird’s lick on the bridge left only a blemish compared to what the wrecking ball will do come Monday. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/12/2020-6AM)

One Reply to “Every bridge has a story”

  1. Hate to see such a beautiful piece of history get destroyed. I’m sure there are a lot of wonderful memories of that old bridge for most all from that area.

Comments are closed.

Related