Overview
For a complete explanation of the bridges, the associated legend, and of their history, please read the "essay" about these bridges.
Photo taken by James McCray
BH Photo #125954
The Old AL 123 Bridges over the Choctawhatchee River at the John Hutto Park in Newton is the location of one of the most famous urban legends in Alabama. The book,"13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey", by Kathryn Windham records the story of a Bill Sketoe who was hanged from a tree next to the old wooden bridge. According to the legend, Bill was so tall that to successfully put him to death the executioners had to dig out a hole beneath his feet so that he would not touch the ground. The legend goes on to state that the "ghost" of Bill still "cleans out" his hole to this day of anything that falls into it. The bridge made famous by the book is a wooden bridge built in the 1860's. The remains of the wooden bridge can be seen just to the west of the new AL 123 bridge. A few wooden stubs and a couple of support columns in the river is all that remains of the old wooden bridge. The old AL 123 concrete bridge about 100 yards west of the new bridge remains abandoned in place but with its approaches collapsed. All in all, there are three bridges represented at the "Sketoe Hanging Site." The ruins of the old wooden bridge; the newer, but still old and abandoned concrete bridge, and the current AL 123 bridge.