Watkinsville, the county seat of Oconee County, was incorporated as a town December 14, 1815. At one time, Watkinsville was the county seat of Clarke County until it moved to the present site of Athens. The Elder Mill Covered Bridge, south of Watkinsville, is one of only a few remaining covered bridges in Georgia. Built in the late 1800′s, it was recently restored and is one of the last wooden bridges still being used on a public road.