Poinsett Bridge
South Carolina's oldest surviving stone bridge
This week’s post focuses on a beautiful and historic bridge in South Carolina worth a visit. Before we switch over to that—since it’s Halloween night—take a moment to revisit our October 3 post about haunted locations in Charleston and Savannah.
Now, on to our feature subject …
Poinsett Bridge
South Carolina's oldest surviving stone bridge
By Tom Poland
Poinsett Bridge looks a bit like the entrance to a fortress. This 204-year-old arched stone connector is considered the oldest surviving stone bridge in South Carolina. It could be the oldest stone bridge in the southeastern United States.
Located in Landrum County, Poinsett Bridge was part of the State Road from Charleston through Columbia to North Carolina. It was built between 1817 and 1819 when Joel Poinsett was director of the South Carolina Board of Public Works, thus the bridge’s name.
A South Carolina politician, Poinsett served as a member of Congress and was the first United States ambassador to Mexico. The poinsettia, a floral favorite during the Christmas season, takes its name from Poinsett, who introduced the Mexican flower to the United States. (Learn more about that following our weekly Backroad Trivia question.)
It’s believed Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument and many significant South Carolina buildings, designed Poinsett Bridge. Mills was born in Charleston in 1781 and is also known for popularizing Greek Revival style across the United States.
Paranormal Activity
In addition to its beauty and history, Poinsett Bridge is notorious for paranormal experiences. When the bridge was being built, many workers fell ill with what might have been malaria. Though never confirmed, the body of a worker who became sick and died is said to be buried within the bridge. Another legend claims the headless body of a man who was shot on the bridge in 1861 returns on rainy nights at midnight.
Visitors have reported ghostly encounters, strange sights, odd sounds, orbs, and floating lights. Others hear screams from beneath the bridge. Visitors report experiencing car trouble when they try to leave.
Over the years, the haunting tales and local legends surrounding the bridge have drawn several paranormal investigators to the area. In 2019, Poinsett Bridge was named one of the 30 most haunted places in America by Condé Nast Traveler.
Expansion of Poinsett Bridge
In June 2024, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources added 283 acres to the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve, thanks to a partnership with The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina, South Carolina Conservation Bank, Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust, Boy Scouts of America, and SCDNR’s Heritage Trust program. The additional acreage brings the preserve’s total to 396 acres—more than three times its original footprint.
Poinsett Bridge is not far off Interstate 26. To find it, put 580 Callahan Mountain Road in Landrum, South Carolina in your GPS.
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Facts About the Poinsettia Plant
The poinsettia plant was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, a U.S. Minister to Mexico
during the early 19th century who was also a botany enthusiast. Poinsett enountered the plant in Taxco, which is located in the Mexican state of Guerrero. In 1828, Poinsett brought the plant back to his home in South Carolina and began growing it.
The plant had been blooming in Mexico and Central America for centuries before that. Mexicans had named it “Cuetlaxóchitl,” which means “a flower that withers.” Legend states that the Aztecs harvested the flowers to use them in various war rituals and to produce dye for textiles and cosmetics. They also used them for medicinal purposes.
Facts About Poinsettias
More than 35 million poinsettias are sold annually.
Poinsettias are the best-selling bloom in the United States and contribute about $250 million to the economy each year.
Most poinsettias are sold during the six weeks before Christmas.
Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not toxic.
There are more than 100 varieties of poinsettias, and they can be grown in shades of white, cream, pink, purple, orange, and yellow.
Poinsettias can grow up to 15 feet tall in their native tropical environment in Mexico and Central America.
December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, marking the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett.
We hope you enjoyed our weekly email and that you always remember to …
Take the long way home.
The Poinsett Bridge is a beauty and a treasured landmark for SC. Thank you for sharing this story.