Before there were bridges at what is now Pacolet
Mills, people were crossing the river there. The location was first known
as Trough Shoals. A shoal is a shallow place in a river with a rock or
gravel bottom. Trough Shoals was surrounded on both sides by exposed rock.
There was a channel in the rock that reminded someone of a trough probably
like a “hog feeding trough” hence the name was born. Evidently, the name
was given to the crossing at an early date. During the Revolutionary War,
just before the Battle of Cowpens, Gen. Morgan thought that the British
army might cross here. He had guards stationed here to sound the alarm if
they did. The British crossed further down the river at Easterwood Ford.
Even in 1781, historical accounts use the name Trough Shoals in referring
to the crossing.
The first actual bridge was built sometime around 1880.
It was a covered wooden bridge and was destroyed in the Great Pacolet
Flood of 1903. It was located near where the present concrete bridge is
located today. When the bridge was destroyed, a temporary swinging bridge
was built and used for awhile. This temporary bridge was replaced by an
iron (steel) bridge around 1910. This bridge was used for many years until
it was replaced by the present concrete bridge in 1953.
The iron bridge was a short distance upstream from
the present bridge. The large, center concrete support for the iron bridge
is still standing. Today, there is a statue of a horse, long the symbol
of Pacolet, on it.
There were times before the 1950’s when flood water would
almost reach the road bed of the bridge. This was before the large lakes,
like Lake Bowen, were built on the upper Pacolet to retain the flood
waters. The river in flood was an awesome thing to see- and to hear. Entire
grown trees could be seen being carried by the rushing waters.
Crossing the river in flood could be a scary thing for a
small child. The walkway for pedestrians was made of wooden planks laid
side by side and there small gaps between them. The raging water did not
seem far away when seen through the gaps in the boards. I have heard more
than one person talk about having bad dreams as a child about having to
cross the river over flood water.
Both ends of the bridge served as a gathering place for
men and boys to gather and socialize. There was a railing on the “Flat”
side of the bridge that served as a place to sit. On the other end there
was a set up steps that led up past Mrs. Sally Gallman’s house that served
the same purpose. It was not unusual, day or night, winter or summer,
to see men gathered at these places.
A picture of the bridge taken before 1927.
The iron bridge was very narrow and two cars could barely
pass each other on it. If one of the vehicles was a big truck, the oncoming
traffic had to wait until it got over. If you crossed in a car or
on foot over the old bridge you were very much aware that you were crossing
a river.
Old bridge is still in use and new bridge is being built.
This all changed when the present concrete bridge was built.
The old bridge was kept in use while the new bridge was being built. Upon
completion of the new bridge, the old bridge was closed off and eventually
torn down.
The new bridge is very wide with pedestrian walkways. When
driving, unless you pay close attention, you might not even be aware that
you are crossing a once deadly and ferocious river.
Present concrete bridge and pier from old iron bridge. Note
horse statue.
(Photo courtesy South Carolina Department of Archives and History
http://scdah.sc.gov/)
