June 2011

Covered Bridge Abutment At The Little Doe River At Rittertown

Our train ride into the Doe River Gorge at the Doe River Gorge Ministries got rained out on Sunday, so we improvised and visited a spot that hasn't been visited in years. I've got photos of this abutment in some of my older convention pics. This is the west abutment for the wood covered bridge over the Little Doe. This site is where the Little Doe and the Doe River converge. The 110' covered bridge was a real landmark that lasted for several years after the railroad was abandoned between Elizabethton and Cranberry. Ritter Lumber had a very large mill on the east side of this spot, hence the name Rittertown. Our little group consisted of Barbara, Jesse, Patricia, and Frank Cates, owner of the property. It had been raining and was rather messy with all the cattle and such, and we thank Mr. Cates for going out of his way to allow us to visit the spot.