This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3R.2ADE/640.1 Message Board Post: Ballard Bridge is on Highway 134 from Enterprise on Highway 134 west heading towards Opp. Ballard's Bridge is located between Ino and Perry's Store Community. As you pass Ino, there is a hill which is called Ballard's Hill, then a straightaway and then Ballard's Bridge. The first house past the bridge on the right is the home of Doc Ballard's family. I would venture to guess, that if you stop to visit the family that the story of the hill and bridge will be shared with you, as it was with me by his daughter. She said her father made housecalls in his buggy. There is a nice home, an old barn and a second home used for storage. Please tell her that I said hello if you should call or visit. If I recall correctly, I believe the daughter's name is Elizabeth Ballard. She is a retired school teacher, and a most wonderful conversationalist. I always enjoyed my time with her.

Ms. Elizabeth Ballard was my teacher in the 8th grade in Opp over in Covington County. She was a sweet and beautiful lady, and though she never knew it, one of my first loves. Back in 1953 the old Ballard's bridge was located slightley down stream from the present one and was made of wood. It was made in an arch that was exceedingly high for a bridge. It had been there a long time and much of it was rotten and many boards were missing and broken. Crossing it was an adventure that I've never quite gotten over a half century later. My father would drive a wagon loaded high with cotton over it on the way to the gin in Kinston and when he got the wagon to the very apex of the arc he would halt the mules and rest them before taking the downward side of the old black/grey bridge. For a young boy sitting on top of the cotton and looking down into the muddy swirling water so far below was tramatic enough but the bridge also constantly swayed back and forth. I believe that my appreciation for our modern bridges may be more than folks who never rode a wagon pulled by mules over Ballard's bridge. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.(:>) If someone speaks to Ms. Elizabeth Ballard ask if she has a photo of the old bridge to donate to the Pea River Historical Society Willie in California ----- Original Message ----- From: <kwanja@alaweb.com> To: <ALCOFFEE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2001 2:56 AM Subject: [ALCOFFEE] Re: Ballard's Bridge > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3R.2ADE/640.1 > > Message Board Post: > > Ballard Bridge is on Highway 134 from Enterprise on Highway 134 west heading towards Opp. Ballard's Bridge is located between Ino and Perry's Store Community. As you pass Ino, there is a hill which is called Ballard's Hill, then a straightaway and then Ballard's Bridge. The first house past the bridge on the right is the home of Doc Ballard's family. I would venture to guess, that if you stop to visit the family that the story of the hill and bridge will be shared with you, as it was with me by his daughter. She said her father made housecalls in his buggy. There is a nice home, an old barn and a second home used for storage. Please tell her that I said hello if you should call or visit. If I recall correctly, I believe the daughter's name is Elizabeth Ballard. She is a retired school teacher, and a most wonderful conversationalist. I always enjoyed my time with her. > > > ==== ALCOFFEE Mailing List ==== > > Come visit with us to research and know our people and history of Coffee County, Alabama..... > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702&sourceid=1237 > >