In March of that year, the Sevier County Court ordered a panel to be used to carry out and organize the construction of a new bridge.

As usual at the time, the local population contributed to the financing, or provided them with construction material, or worked as an assistant in building the project.

Elbert participated in 1877, next to the bridge project, with 50 percent of the capital contribution of the Newport Mill by Alexander Umbarger.

In the late years of the 19th century, the population grew around Harrisburg, and life in the area flourished due to the many local mills and blacksmith workshops.

It was also the organization that made the request to include the bridge in the National Register of Historic Places, which succeeded on June 10, 1975 (NRHP-ID 75001777).