State: Missouri, South Central USA, USA, World

Spotlight: Bollinger Mill/Burfordville — Cape Girardeau Co, MO

The mill, damaged in the Civil War, later rebuilt, operated until 1950, and is now owned by the Cape Girardeau County Historical Society. Bollinger, an outstanding pioneer, militia major in the War of 1812, was a noted legislator in the Territory, and later, State of Missouri.

Burfordville Covered Bridge
Here, where scenic Whitewater river spills over Bollinger Mill dam, stands on of Missouri's few remaining covered bridges. The date, 1860, on east pier marks beginning of construction which, halted by the Civil War, was not completed until 1867. The early settlement here became, in 1870, Burfordville post office, probably named for its first postmaster.

A marvel of wood engineering, with its 140-foot self-supporting span, the bridge was built of yellow poplar by Cape Girardeau contractor Joseph Lansmon. In 1950 the Missouri State Highway Commission restored the bridge.

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