Tucked away at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Greenville County is the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve. The protected acreage is home to what’s believed to be the oldest surviving stone bridge in South Carolina — Poinsett Bridge.
Built in 1820, the bridge honors Joel Roberts Poinsett, a former director of the South Carolina Department of Public Works.
Beginning September 29th, the Preserve will close to the public as crews begin preservation work on the historic structure. Over the next several months, the bridge will undergo resurfacing, the replacement of deteriorated lime mortar and missing stones, and the addition of a guardrail.
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, “This preservation project will ensure the bridge continues to stand for another 200 years.”
Preservation work is expected to be completed within a year, with Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve set to reopen to the public in April 2026…