High Bridge
Highest railroad bridge in US over a navigable stream (308 feet). Planned as suspension bridge for Lexington and Danville R.R. by John Roebling, designer of famous Brooklyn Bridge (N.Y. City). Huge stone towers to hold cables built in 1851. Work on bridge abandoned during Civil War. Towers removed in 1929 by Southern Railroad to permit double tracks.
First cantilever bridge built on the American continent. Most remarkable bridge in US when constructed in 1876. Marked the beginning of modern scientific bridge building. It was designed by Charles Shaler Smith and built for the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. Bridge was replaced in 1911, using same foundations without stopping rail service.
Erected 1970 by Kentucky Historical Society; presented by Southern Railway System. (Marker Number 1381.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 37° 49.135′ N, 84° 43.16′ W. Marker is in Wilmore, Kentucky, in Jessamine County. It is on Lock 7 Road just east of High Bridge Road (Kentucky Route 29), on the right when traveling west
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Regionally, this marker is in the Bluegrass Region and in Greater Lexington Area. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kentucky River Palisades (approx. 0.2 miles away); An Engineering Landmark (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shaker Landing / Shaker Landing Road (approx. 0.8 miles away); Modern Amenities (approx. 0.9 miles away); Cultivating Communities (approx. one mile away); All in the Family (approx. one mile away); A House of Commerce (approx. one mile away); Inspiring Innovation (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmore.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2021, by Brian K. Hall of Lexington, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 28, 2021, by Brian K. Hall of Lexington, Kentucky. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
