Born a slave on a South Carolina plantation in 1807, Horace King became one of the most important bridge engineers of the 19th century.
Nicknamed “The Bridge Builder” and “Prince of Bridge Builders,” King’s life is not widely taught in American history classes, but he should be a household name.
He constructed dozens of bridges in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, and his legacy is highlighted by innovative designs and a dedication to infrastructure.
King’s ancestry was African, Catawba and European, and unlike many slaves in America, he was taught to read and write.
John Godwin, a contractor, owned King, and he introduced the enslaved man to bridge construction, particularly lattice truss designs.
King’s mastery of the Town lattice truss design revolutionized bridge building in the Deep South. These bridges were known for durability and craftsmanship.
The Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge in Meriwether County, Ga., was one of his most famous projects. Built in the 1840s, this bridge remains the oldest wooden covered bridge in the state and showcases King’s commitment to quality work.
King’s other significant bridge projects include the Columbus City Bridge, the West Point Bridge and the Eufuala Bridge.
Built between 1832-1833 and spanning the Chattahoochee River, the Columbus City Bridge connected Georgia and Alabama and helped improve how the states interacted.
Constructed in 1838, the West Point Bridge was considered one of the earliest covered bridges in that area. It also spanned the Chattahoochee River.
In 1839, when the Eufaula Bridge was completed in Alabama, King’s reputation as one of the premier bridge builders in the south was solidified.
In 1846, King purchased his freedom, which was a monumental achievement in the Deep South at that time.
In fact, his freedom was facilitated by a special act within the Alabama State Legislature. This special act exempted King from laws that restricted freed slaves from residing in the state.
In the 1850s, King became an architect and designed twin spiral staircases for the Alabama State Capital in Montgomery.
Following the Union’s decisive victory over the Confederacy in the Civil War, King was elected to Alabama’s state House of Representatives.
King died in 1885. His innovative use of the Town lattice truss design influenced generations of engineers and architects, leaving an indelible mark on civil engineering.
King was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Engineers Hall of Fame, an honor that shows the lasting impact of his work on the region’s infrastructure.
King is an American hero who overcame the inexcusable practice of slavery in this country, and his life should be taught in schools. Bridges should be named after him. He should have a statue. He deserves to be honored and remembered. RB
