Near Farmville in Cumberland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The High Bridge
High Bridge Trail State Park
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2015
1. The High Bridge Marker
There have been higher bridges not so long and longer bridges not so high, but taking the height and length together, this is, perhaps, the largest bridge in the world.
-C.O. Sanford, South Side Railroads chief engineer,1852
In 1854 the South Side Railroad was completed from Petersburg to Lynchburg. To cross the Appomattox River east of Farmville, High Bridge was constructed. The bridge, 2,400 feet in length and ranging from 60 to 125 feet in height, was built on 21 brick piers. The original wood bridge had a pedestrian walkway beside the tracks and a wagon bridge below.
On April 6 and 7, 1865, the bridges were of strategic importance to the armies of General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant as they moved westward from Richmond toward Appomattox Court House. On April 6th, following the Battle of Sailors Creek, a small group of Union infantry and cavalry attempted to destroy the bridge but were deterred by Confederate horsemen who arrived on the scene. On the morning of April 7th, quick marching Union troops came upon High Bridge as the Confederates were setting fire to it after crossing. Using the lower wagon bridge to continue their pursuit, Grant's men pressed on eventually coming in contact with Lee's army around nearby Cumberland Church.
Erected by
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 2000.
Location. 37° 18.871′ N, 78° 19.393′ W. Marker is near Farmville, Virginia, in Cumberland County. It can be reached from the intersection of River Road (County Route 600) and Jamestown Road (County Route 657), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farmville VA 23901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and 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 markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The High Bridge (approx. half a mile away); African-Americans at High Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Camp Paradise (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named High Bridge (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named High Bridge (approx. 2.7 miles away); a different marker also named Cavalry Battle at High Bridge (approx. 2.7 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 3.4 miles away); Confederate Veterans Monument (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farmville.
Other markers no longer nearby. High Bridge Trail State Park (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Cavalry Battle at High Bridge
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2015
2. The High Bridge Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "High Bridge Trail State Park".
Also see . . .
1. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled High Bridge Trail State Park (Submitted on May 24, 2015.)
2. High Bridge Trail State Park. Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation (Submitted on May 24, 2015.)
Photographed by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, 1865
3. High bridge, Appomattox, Va.
Library of Congress LC-DIG-ppmsca-33390
Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010
4. High Bridge
Looking from the north bridge abutment across the railroad bridge before conversion to a pedstrian bridge. The iron bridge dating to the early 20th century stands, but pillars of the wartime bridge, to the right of the trusses, remain.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 889 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 24, 2015. 4. submitted on April 19, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
