Burfordville Covered Bridge and Bollinger Mill

Burfordville Covered Bridge, lacated near Perryville Missouri, was started in 1858 but was halted by the Civil War. The bridge was completed in 1867. It is a 140-foot self-supporting span covered bridge built of Yellow Poplar by Cape Girardeau Missouri contractor Joseph Lansmon. The early settlement which began here was named Burfordville and was probably named after the first postmaster. The bridge was built to give access from across the river to the village and the Bollinger Mill.

George Frederick Bollinger built the original dam and mill in 1800. He replaced the wooden structures in 1825 with a stone building foundation and dam. The mill had a wooden upper story. The mill operated until it was burned by Union troops during the Civil War. Solomon Richard Buford bought the ruins in 1866 and rebuilt it as you see it now in 1867. The mill’s water wheel is inside the basement which actually sits in the stream. An adjustable gate on the up stream side of the building allows the White Water River flow to be adjusted as it runs under the building and you can see in this image where the water comes out on the down stream side of the building. The water wheel and milling equipment are still operational and tours are given each day where the individuals can actually watch the mill operate.