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Covered Bridge Days is a long-time Elizabethton tradition, featuring a variety of music and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Presented by the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, the festival will be held in the east end of town in and around the Covered Bridge Park. 

The festival celebrates Elizabethton’s Covered Bridge, built in 1882. It is believed

to be the oldest such bridge that is still in use for pedestrians.

The bridge over the Doe River in Elizabethton, Tennessee might seem unremarkable at first glance, seeing as how it does little more than connect 3rd Street and Hattie Avenue and only allows pedestrian traffic to cross it. However, the marker placed on it by the Tennessee Historical Commission is just a hint at the significance it has and continues to have on the history and culture of Elizabethton and Carter County and the entire region.

As the county seat, Elizabethton grew throughout the 1800s. However, Lynn Mountain hemmed it in to the east and the Watauga River lay to the north. The Doe River flooded often and limited growth to the south. To span westward, to the site of the current downtown, the city would need a bridge over the Doe River. After extensive debate, in 1882 the County Court approved $3,000 for the bridge and $300 for approaches. The court appointed a committee to select a site for the bridge. However, the committee encountered an unexpected problem – the men could not find a qualified contractor to erect the bridge.

After county officials were unable to find a bridge contractor, a local doctor, E.E. Hunter, accepted the contract and hired experienced people to work on the bridge. Hunter selected Thomas Matson, who had been an engineer for the Narrow Gauge (Tweetsie) Railroad as an engineer and architect. Hunter referred to the bridge as his “$5 bridge” since he made a profit of $5 as contractor.

Constructed at a cost of $3,000 by contractor Dr. E.E. Hunter, George Lindamood and three carpenters, it spans the river for 134 feet, resting on earth and limestone abutments. Hunter hired Colonel Thomas Matson, who had engineered the elevated railroad tracks in New York City, to design the bridge and serve as construction chief. The original structure was made entirely of wood; mainly mountain oak and white pine beams that were hauled down the steep 

slopes of the mountains by draft horses and mules, weatherboard of mountain poplar, and shingles cleaved by mallet and from chestnut. Hand forged steel spikes and hand threaded bolts fastened together the massive pieces of oak flooring. Termed an “engineering feat” and listed in the Historic Engineering Record, the Covered Bridge survived numerous floods, including the great flood of 1901, which destroyed all the other bridges in the county that crossed the Doe River.

Elizabethton’s Covered Bridge is one of two bridges in Tennessee identified by a Tennessee Historical marker and is included on the National Registry of Historic Sites.

The Elizabethton Historic District contains a variety of properties ranging in age from the late 1700s through the 1930s. However, the Elizabethton Covered Bridge is a focal point and a well-known landmark in the state. In addition to this bridge, the district also contains a significant 1926 concrete arch bridge over the Doe River.

The Covered Bridge is an important landmark for residents since it’s along the Elk Avenue route for the annual Christmas parades and other downtown events. However, the Covered Bridge is the most significant event that draws an audience.

The Annual Covered Bridge festival is a festival that features award-winning musicians, fantastic vendors and takes place right by the Covered Bridge. The festival pulls in an audience from across the region. This popularity has translated into a variety of merchandise opportunities for supporters of the event during and long after it has concluded.

This weekend we invite you to enjoy the music and all the events designed to celebrate the historic bridge. It is a very fitting birthday party for the old bridge.