Bridge dedicated in veteran's memory

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett, Commissioner John Schoonmaker and others will formally dedicate the one-lane bridge on Coward Mill Road over Beaver Creek in memory of the late Donald Caldwell.

The event will take place today at 1 p.m. at Ben Atchley State Veterans’ Home Parking Lot
9910 Coward Mill Road.

Caldwell was active in the Karns and Hardin Valley area, and worked to preserve the bridge that is now being dedicated in his memory. Members of his family will also be in attendance.

For the safety of participants and attendees, the bridge dedication program will be held on Ben Atchley State Veterans’ Home property located near the bridge. Members of his family will also be in attendance.

 

In the late 1980s, Caldwell and others organized an effort to preserve the historic bridge, one of only five in the state, and it remains in use today. He also helped pioneer the effort to plant daffodils and redbud trees along Pellissippi Parkway.

 

In addition to serving his community, Caldwell was an Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War, prior to moving to Knoxville to work for the Knoxville Utilities Board.

He passed away in May 2014 at the age of 84.