Countless people pass over the Savannah River near Allendale each day while whizzing past an old truss swing bridge broken by time and left standing in the open position in the middle of the lower Savannah River. But few know the history of the old bridge, so we bring it to you today – along with a short trail from U.S. 301 that leads straight to the abandoned Burton’s Ferry Swing Bridge.
Passersby the old Burtons Ferry Swing Bridge may possibly wonder about the old relic sitting in the Savannah River. It’s clearly visible from the newer Highway 301 bridge that carries people between South Carolina and Georgia.
Google Maps
Found in a stretch of the Savannah River that’s clearly not as wide as other parts of the great waterway to the sea, the bridge and its steel stringer approach span leading from the South Carolina side of the crossing are still intact long after the new bridge was completed in 1965.
Google Maps
The history here is that long before the swing bridge was constructed in 1938, this crossing and its ferry carried pioneers from Virginia and South Carolina into Georgia for settling down. But the ferry closed in 1938 when Burton’s Ferry Swing Bridge was completed.
Google/Carol Platt Today, its approach from the Georgia side is but a short pier overlooking the now open swing portion of the bridge. But on the South Carolina side of the crossing, we get something else entirely.
A destination, if you will, for a short 1.2-mile (one-way distance) hike from near Allendale on the trail known as the Lower Savannah River Alliance Greenway to Burton’s Ferry. And a bench just waiting to provide unlimited glimpses into the past from this spot along the Savannah.
Google/SSS
Before reaching that bench, you’ll actually cross the old steel stringer span leading from the South Carolina side.
Google/Deputy Bingaman
The hike itself is super easy and can be completed in just over an hour out and back. A total elevation change of only 82 feet makes it more of a walk than a hike.
AllTrails
But still, if the Lower Savannah River Alliance is involved you know the trail and views are worthy regardless of how difficult (or not) the hike is.
AllTrails/Marty Bragg
Remember you’ll be facing the west as you admire the old swing span and its crumbling bridge operator’s quarters so bring your sunglasses if it’s late afternoon. And if you want to take photos then it’s best to get there before noon.
Google/Ana Collins
The trailhead for the Lower Savannah River Alliance Greenway to Burtons Ferry swing bridge starts 11.6 miles west of Allendale. Find more details about the trail by visiting AllTrails.com.
Google Maps
Google/Carol Platt
Today, its approach from the Georgia side is but a short pier overlooking the now open swing portion of the bridge. But on the South Carolina side of the crossing, we get something else entirely.
Google/SSS
Google/Deputy Bingaman
AllTrails
AllTrails/Marty Bragg
Google/Ana Collins
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Address: Allendale, SC 29810, USA
