Ellijay's Connection to The Empire State Building.

Many longtime residents of Ellijay have walked to the abandoned railroad trestle of the old Marietta and North Georgia Railroad/Later known as the Louisville and Nashville Road. The metal bridge spans the Cartecay River between River and Industrial Boulevard.

Even though the bridge was built in 1902, it is in remarkable shape. Although much of the bridge is covered in kudzu, the only part that seems to have failed to erosion are the creosote timbers that are beneath the iron rails. The metal spans, rails, and bolts all appear intact as does the stone foundation beneath each side.

As you approach the bridge from River St. there's a metal placard on one of the trusses indicates the bridge was built by the American Bridge Company of New York in the year 1902.

The American Bridge Company was started in 1900 when John D. Rockefeller consolidated 28 steel companies. They subsequently have built the Empire State Building of New York, the New River Gorge Bridge of West Virginia, and the Sears Tower of Chicago.