Liberty Bridge, Greenville (must see)

Greenville's Liberty Bridge is a distinctive structure that pays tribute to W. Frank Hipp, the founder of Liberty Corporation, and his children for their contributions to the community. Funded by the City of Greenville's Hospitality Tax, this $4.5 million bridge was built over the course of a year by Taylor and Murphy Construction Co., with design by Miquel Rosales and engineering by Schlaich Bergermann.

What sets this bridge apart is its lightweight design, described by Chris Britton, structural division manager for Taylor and Murphy, as appearing to "float on air." Spanning 345 feet in length, 12 feet in width, and featuring an 8-inch thick concrete deck supported by a single suspension cable, the Liberty Bridge boasts a distinctive curved shape with a radius of 214 feet. This unique geometry, cantilevered over the Reedy River Falls, is unlike anything found elsewhere in the United States, despite similar concepts in European bridges.

Beneath the bridge lies the historic site where Greenville's first European settler, Richard Pearis, established his trading post in 1768. Subsequently, grist and saw mills were built in this location, making it a vital center of industry in Greenville until the 1920s. The Liberty Bridge serves not only as a modern architectural marvel but also as a connection to the city's rich historical roots.