Master Builder

Born into slavery in 1807, Horace King learned to build bridges in the "Town Lattice Truss" method from his owner. He became so adept at his craft that he was made a junior partner in the business. In 1846, King's master petitioned for his release from slavery and, as a free Black man in the south, he rose to prominence as a superior bridge builder and engineer. None of his major bridges stand today, but the Red Oak Creek Bridge, a small crossing, is still in use today in Meriwether Co, GA.