Danville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Union Street Bridge

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 12, 2024

1. Union Street Bridge Marker

Inscription. At this site, since 1883, a bridge has existed on the same twelve piers.

c.1883 A wooden covered bridge, founded on massive stone masonry piers, was built the same time as the Union Street Dam nearby.

1911 A concrete bridge with arch-shaped beams replaced the wood covered bridge. The original stone piers were strengthened and made higher by concrete encasement.

1934 A wider steel beam bridge, supported on concrete pedestals added to the piers, was built above the 1911 bridge.

1994 A steel girder bridge with a wider deck replaced the 1934 structure. The piers were reinforced with concrete encasements at the bases.

It is estimated that a single pier today carries a greater load than did all twelve piers in 1883.

An historic Danville Landmark

Erected 1994 by City of Danville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 36° 35.568′ N, 79° 23.852′ W. Marker is in Danville, Virginia. It is on Union Street Bridge north of Memorial Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Danville VA 24540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southside Virginia

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Roanoke Navigation System (within shouting distance of this marker); Danville Historic Mill District (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Street Dam (about 700 feet away); The Dan River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Street Dam & Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); M.C. Martin (1897-1981) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Preservation Alliance of Virginia (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Union Street Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danville.

More about this marker. This is one of eight historic markers installed along the Union Street Bridge in 1994.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 7, 2024

2. Union Street Bridge Marker

Union Street Bridge Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, October 12, 2024

3. Union Street Bridge Dedication Plaque

Union Street Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 7, 2024

4. Union Street Bridge

The historic piers supporting Union Street Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, December 7, 2024

5. The historic piers supporting Union Street Bridge

Union Street Bridge Project Information Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, November 5, 2024

6. Union Street Bridge Project Information Panel

Information Panel on display in the Danville Public Works conference room.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 23, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 6. submitted on September 3, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.