Dip Bridge built before road was paved
By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The old Dip Bridge (sometimes called the Humpty- Dumpty Bridge) on old Beeline Highway south of town could spin some interesting stories about what Hartselle was like prior to World War I if it could talk. That’s because it was built in 1915 when motor vehicles were few and far between and paved roads were hard to find.
Still used as part of a shortcut from South Sparkman Street to Highway 31, South. The steel-reinforced concrete structure still undergoes a bi-annual inspection and continues to meet safety standards, which are mandated by the Alabama Department of Transportation.
Following a recent inspection, the bridge was deemed to be in satisfactory condition with the exceptions of a few scrapes and scars on the original side rails and erosion around the foundation piers in the bed of Shoal Creek.
The bridge is 155 feet long , 17 feet wide and has a crown that reaches a height of about two feet at the center. It’s the crown that give the bridge its dip and causes the rider of a motor vehicle to get a floating feeling when crossing over at a fast speed.
Header cutline:The “Old Jailhouse” still stands as a reminder of the 1800s era when Somerville was Morgan County’s seat of government. The two-story frame building was probably built about the same time the town’s old county courthouse was built—in 1837—and housed inmates until the county seat was moved to Decatur in 1891. The property is owned by Joe and Leah Rodgers, owners of The Jailhouse Barbecue. Their plans are to restore it for a sit-down restaurant in the future.
Ever wondered how Cry Baby Hollow earned its name? Did you know Hartselle shares its name with a type of rock found throughout the Southeast? Or, did you know Priceville’s basketball team lays claim to four state titles?
You can learn these things and many more in this special section of the Hartselle Enquirer. We think you’ll enjoy reading the exciting facts we’ve discovered about our hometown and – if you know some more – hope you will share your discoveries with us.
