Bonnieville in Hart County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Bacon Creek Bridge

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 29, 2021

1. Bacon Creek Bridge Marker (Side A)

Inscription. The Louisville & Nashville RR, completed in 1859 and running north and south, was used by both Union & Confederate armies. Bridge spans on the line were particularly targeted by raiders. The L&N bridge crossing Bacon Creek was destroyed several times during the Civil War. John Hunt Morgan's raiders burned the span for a 2nd time, Dec. 5, 1861.

Bacon Creek Bridge was burned again Sept. 1862, when Confederate forces invaded state. The bridge fell victim to Morgan yet again in Dec. 1862, when he attacked the Union garrison protecting it. The final destruction to the bridge occurred during a December l864 raid when Confederate Gen. Hylan Lyon and his cavalry command torched the structure.

Erected 2015 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2454.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 5, 1861.

Location. 37° 22.51′ N, 85° 54.168′ W. Marker is in Bonnieville, Kentucky, in Hart County. Marker is at the intersection of North Dixie Highway (U.S. 31W) and Morgans Raiders

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Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North Dixie Highway. Marker is on the north end of the current highway bridge over Bacon Creek. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bonnieville KY 42713, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bacon Creek Trestle (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Bacon Creek Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); An Indian Ambush (approx. ¼ mile away); On Washington's Guard (approx. 6.4 miles away); John Ireland (approx. 7.1 miles away); John Muir & Robert Munford (approx. 7.1 miles away); William Clark and Family (approx. 7.2 miles away); Albery Allson Whitman (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bonnieville.

Also see . . . Captain John Morgan and Bacon Creek Bridge. By Derrick Lindow, The Western Theater in the Civil War blog, November 19, 2020. (Submitted on June 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Bacon Creek Bridge Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 29, 2021

2. Bacon Creek Bridge Marker (Side B)

Bacon Creek Bridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 29, 2021

3. Bacon Creek Bridge Marker

The current railroad trestle crosses Bacon Creek in the background.

Bacon Creek Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Frank Leslie's Illustrated, January 25, 1862

4. Bacon Creek Bridge

The Louisville & Nashville Railroad bridge over Bacon Creek after John Hunt Morgan's Confederate cavalry burned it on December 5, 1861.

Photographed By Frank Leslie's Illustrated, January 25, 1862

5. Bacon Creek Bridge

Federal troops rebuilding the bridge over Bacon's Creek, Ky.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.