The original Rogers Bridge was a rare example of a pin-connected Pennsylvania truss bridge. The Rogers family was one of the area's earliest settlers and owned the land adjacent to the bridge. In the 1820’s, brothers George and William Rogers ran a ferry service at the site of the current bridge. The pair, who were part Cherokee, had their land seized in conjunction with the tribe’s forced removal from the state. However, in 1839, they sued the state of Georgia, invalidating their action and successfully winning back their land. It is believed to have been constructed in 1911, and it was built in the model of the late 19th century “camelback” truss bridges and was the last preserved steel-truss bridge in Georgia.
It was originally used as a one-lane vehicle connector across the Chattahoochee River connecting the city of Duluth to the city of Johns Creek. For many decades, Rogers Bridge served as a critical link for local traffic, first with horses and buggies, and later with motor vehicles, facilitating access to surrounding areas for trade, agriculture, and commuting. It enabled farmers and local businesses to transport goods more easily across the Chattahoochee River.
In the 1970's it became unsafe for traffic and the deck was removed and the bridge was used to carry a water main pipe across the river.
In 2006, Gwinnett County commissioned a study of Rogers Bridge to determine its structural integrity. The goal was to repurpose the bridge for pedestrians and in doing so, reconnect the communities on each side of the Chattahoochee River. While initially intended as a restoration project, the bridge was found too structurally deficient for rehabilitation. Thanks to the collaboration of the State Historic Preservation Office, FHWA, & the Georgia DOT, the project team could move forward with a replacement rather than a restoration of this historic structure. The cost of restoration would have been cost prohibitive to fully replicate a pin connected truss bridge in the complex Pennsylvania truss configuration using rivets, v-lacing, pins, loop-forged wrought iron eyebars (which require wrought iron not available commercially anymore), and the loop forged eyebars specifically would have to be steel cutouts because a loop forge is not feasible with steel, and requires wrought iron. The current replica uses welded gusset plates.
Groundbreaking for this project was in March of 2021 and the new bridge opened in July of 2023. Rather than being collapsed or imploded which is the usual method for the destruction of old bridges, the old Rogers Bridge was removed by crane. A video showing this is available here on youtube. The new bridge connects Duluth's Rogers Bridge Park (also home of the Chattahoochee Dog Park) with John's Creek's Cauley Creek Park. Both parks are host to art installations using scrap from the original Rogers Bridge.
On the Duluth side the sculpture is called "The Shape of Time and Water" by Phil Proctor.
From the artist's website: The sculpture is composed of 120-year-old steel from the historic Rogers Bridge and is meant to represent the water as it embraces the bridge column. This constant and boundless interaction between earth and water brings the river to life. The sculpture is also a literal passageway. It is a symbol that represents the connection between two places; the driving force for the restoration of the new bridge and the partnership of the communities it connects. This composition is anchored through two massive cast concrete columns which were inspired by many of the stone and concrete bridge columns along the Chattahoochee River. Approximate dimensions: 18’ width x 7’ depth x 27’ tall
On the Johns Creek side the sculpture is simply called "The Bridge" by Ilan Averbuch.
From the artist's website: The Bridge is a sculpture celebrating the bridge as a foundational form which connects communities. It takes the shape of two groups of recycled abstract figures made of the steel from the old bridge. The two groups are held together by carrying a colossal arch made of recycled stone. The recycled materials are emblematic of transformation: in life and in time and form.
To earn this virtual smiley, you must visit each art installation on both sides of the bridge and take a photo that includes each of the sculptures, with one of the following: You, your Geopup, a piece of paper with your Geonick, or a geocaching signature item. You can either post the photo in your log or send them to us as a message through geocaching.com
The closest parking is on the Duluth side of the bridge, and both are accessible from paved paths.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.