Medlock Bridge Park

The Medlock Bridge Unit is named for one of the early river crossings along this stretch of the Chattahoochee River. In the late 1800s, William Oliver Medlock operated a ferry at this location, providing a vital connection between farming communities on what are now the Gwinnett and Fulton County sides of the river. The ferry was later replaced by a permanent bridge in the early 20th century, creating one of the region’s first stable transportation links across the river.

Historic hydrological surveys from the early 1900s reference “Medlock’s Bridge” as a key crossing point north of Norcross, reflecting its role in regional travel and trade. Archaeological surveys have also identified remnants of historic road alignments and potential structural features tied to the former bridge and ferry operations.

The surrounding area holds even deeper cultural significance as part of the Chattahoochee River corridor, which has supported human activity for thousands of years—from Indigenous settlements and fishing sites to early transportation routes that connected rural Georgia communities. When the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area was established in 1978, the Medlock Bridge site became one of its designated access points, preserving public access to this historic river crossing while protecting its natural and cultural landscape for future generations.