Civil Engineer. Born in Cheraw, South Carolina of mixed black, white, and Indian ancestry, he grew up as a slave and was brought by his owner, John Godwin, to the Columbus, Georgia area in 1830. Two years later, Godwin and King began work on the first bridge across the Chattahoochee River. Over the next three decades, he built more of his famous lattice bridges over the Chattahoochee (at West Point and Fort Gaines), the Flint River (at Albany), and Oconee River (at Milledgeville). He also constructed bridges in Alabama and Mississippi. In 1846, Godwin successfully petitioned the Alabama legislature to grant Horace King his legal freedom. Thereafter, he not only built bridges but constructed courthouses and other buildings, including rebuilding of the Alabama State Capitol after it burned. After the Civil War, he served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1869 to 1872 and in other public offices.
Civil Engineer. Born in Cheraw, South Carolina of mixed black, white, and Indian ancestry, he grew up as a slave and was brought by his owner, John Godwin, to the Columbus, Georgia area in 1830. Two years later, Godwin and King began work on the first bridge across the Chattahoochee River. Over the next three decades, he built more of his famous lattice bridges over the Chattahoochee (at West Point and Fort Gaines), the Flint River (at Albany), and Oconee River (at Milledgeville). He also constructed bridges in Alabama and Mississippi. In 1846, Godwin successfully petitioned the Alabama legislature to grant Horace King his legal freedom. Thereafter, he not only built bridges but constructed courthouses and other buildings, including rebuilding of the Alabama State Capitol after it burned. After the Civil War, he served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1869 to 1872 and in other public offices.
Bio by: Jack Skoch
Inscription
MASTER COVERED BRIDGE BUILDER
Gravesite Details
The grave is west of the cemetery under a large tree.
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