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Kymulga Covered Bridge and Old Grist Mill Park

Updated: Jul 17

Kymulga Grist Mill Park and Covered Bridge are a unique part of history near Childersburg, Alabama.


Kymulga Grist Mill lest, and Kymulga Covered Bridge, background, near Childersburg, Alabama
Kymulga Grist Mill and Covered Bridge

Back around 1850, before any of us were born. (before our Grandparents were born) down in Talladega County, Alabama, an Indian road ran from the lower part of Alabama over to parts of what is now Georgia. Many called it the Georgia Road, but its official name was the McIntosh Road. Where the road crossed the Talladega Creek the local government decided to build a covered bridge.


Kymulga Covered Bridge across Talladega Creek, near Childersburg, Alabama
Kymulga Covered Bridge

Note that this was the 1850's, so building a road or a bridge was much different than today. There were plenty of forests in the area to supply trees, plus there were a few sawmills around.


The plan was that all the major beams and pieces would be cut to size at one of the sawmills and hauled to the site by mule and wagon. When officials sent out word that they were accepting quotes for the labor - only the labor to build the covered bridge - the first bid came in at 75 dollars. That bid was rejected for being too high!


But the bridge was completed around 1861, the same year that the Civil War started.


Rocky Baker poses inside the Kymulga Bridge near Childersburg, Alabama.
The author inside the covered bridge

Before long the man who owned the adjoining land decided to build a grist mil to produce flour and corn meal. The grist mill would be powered by that same Talladega Creek. However the mill was not a waterwheel mill. It was powered by horizontal turbines down in the water. To direct the water to the turbines a seven foot high dam was built just upstream of the mill


The three-story Kymulga grist mill still stands today near Childersburg.
The Kymulga grist mill still stands today.

Kymulga Covered Bridge and Old Grist Mill


Both the mill and the bridge still stand today.

The old Kymulga mill now serves as a museum and gift shop.
Kymulga Visitor Center

The mill and covered bridge have been turned into a park that is open to the public 5 days a week.



The Kymulga grist mill is a three story building.
Three story mill

Probably the coolest thing about the mill is that most of the old machinery still works. The main water-powered drive has been disconnected and electric motors have been installed to drive the individual machines, but the actual machines that grind the corn or wheat still work and still make corn meal or flour that is sold at the gift shop at the mill!



Old machinery at the Kymulga Grist Mill Park
Old Grist Mill machinery


One can see that 150 years ago, they did not have the safety standards that we see in a business today. Most of the machines don't have guards and safety precautions that we have on machines today. And when I say that they have electric motors to make them work, they don't run very often, mostly just as demonstrations.

A machine in the Kymulga Grist Mill, around 150 years old.
Most of the grain started at the third floor and flowed down

One may also notice that compared to today's machinery, these old machines have less steel, almost no plastic, and lots of wood. It is impressive that these old machines are still capable after 150 years of so.


This old drive pulley is made of wood and small amount of iron.
Wooden pulley

The park is operated by the Childersburg Historical Society. They do a great job of giving tours and telling the stories about the old mill and bridge.


And if you just want to kick back and discuss the history of Alabama, this is a good place to do that!

The Kymulga Park tour guide talking about the machinery.
Tour Guides Explaining the Machinery

The lower section of the mill is a museum.

A display of old tools in the Kymulga Park museum
Old Tools Display

At Kymulga, one can get the feeling that maybe 1870 wasn't that long ago....

Kymulga Grist Mill Park includes display of some local wildlife.
Nature Display

There are lots of things to see at Kymulga and the people who run the park are very friendly.

The Kymulga Grist Mill Park includes a unique gift shop.
Kymulga Gift Shop

The Kymulga mill is not only beside the covered bridge, but it is also on a train track.
The front side of the mill, facing the old train track.

Back years ago when the mill was still in operation, they liked to use bee's was to lubricate some of the machines. So bees were encouraged to live in the wooden walls of the building. And bees live there still.

Bees still live in the walls where once their wax was used to lubricate the machinery.
Bees' wax was once used to grease the machinery.

Across the creek are hiking trails leading into the woods.

The Kymulga covered bridge is very Americana.
Kymulga Covered Bridge, circa 1861

In addition to being historically rich, the park is great for photography.

Kymulga Covered Bridges stands across Talladega Creek in Talladega County, Alabama
Kymulga covered bridge and Talladega Creek

The park is sometimes used for weddings, musical events, and other local events, and holiday celebrations as well.


So if you like to see old stuff, and old covered bridges in particular, check out Kymulga Grist Mill Park! It is truly a one of a kind place!


Remember that comments are welcomed here in the box at the bottom of this page. I really like reading those comments. You can ask questions there as well. I will try hard to give you a good answer.


Also note that if you hit that "Log In" button at the top of this page and become a member of Picture Americana, you will get an email notification whenever a new blog is posted. I really appreciate people becoming members.


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14 Comments


Frederick Patterson
Frederick Patterson
Jul 23

That’s a really nice & historic place! I would be interested to know if there are other such stops between there and the Huntsville area.

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rockydbaker
Jul 25
Replying to

Yea it really is cool.


As to other places along the way, there are some covered bridges in Blount County. And there is another old covered bridge there in Talladega County called Waldo covered bridge.


Thanks for the comments!


Rocky

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Guest
Jul 22

great pics! thanks for sharing

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rockydbaker
Sep 02
Replying to

Thank you very much!

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Guest
Jul 17

Very interesting!

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rockydbaker
Sep 02
Replying to

Thank you. Yea it is an interesting place....

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Rhonda Smith
Rhonda Smith
Jul 17

Such a beautiful place and such a great part of history!!

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rockydbaker
Sep 02
Replying to

Thanks Rhonda!

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Guest
Jul 17

I love those stone walls that the bridge sits on.

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rockydbaker
Sep 02
Replying to

Yea they are cool. Thanks for the comments!


Rocky

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