Staunton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sears Hill Bridge
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 28, 2015
1. Sears Hill Bridge Marker
In early 2010, the City of Staunton was offered the bridge by the owner of the train station complex because the bridge was held under an easement as a public right-of-way. After completing an engineering analysis of the bridge, the City determined that it was structurally unsound and closed it to any public access. The owner had the bridge dismantled and donated it to the City. In turn, the City requested that citizens step forward to create a committee, Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge, to raise funds for its restoration.
The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge served as the fiscal agent for the committee to allow charitable donations. After three years of efforts, the committee raised over $200,000 to restore the bridge and once again open it to the public in April of 2013.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History of the C&O Station (here, next to this marker); Staunton (here, next to this marker); Staunton’s Wharf Historic District History (a few steps from this marker); Main Passenger Terminal (a few steps from this marker); Barnas Sears, Woodrow Park, & Sears Hill Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker); Staunton Historic Districts (within shouting distance of this marker); Beyer Print of Staunton (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Alexander Humphreys (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staunton.
More about this marker. The marker contains lists of officials and donors as well as two images. The lists are for “Friends of the Sears Hill Bridge Committee” and “Sears Hill Bridge Restoration: Major Donors.” The images are captioned: “This photograph (circa 1900) shows an earlier wooden bridge constructed in 1888 on the site.” and “The current bridge was raised in 1946 to accommodate taller train cars.” This
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 28, 2015
2. This Marker is the One on the Left
The first flight of steps for the Sears Hill Bridge start here.
Regarding Sears Hill Bridge. This bridge connects the Sears Hill District of Staunton to the Wharf District, where the station is located. Without this pedestrian bridge, the three minute walk down the path and across the bridge turns into 15 minutes using the sidewalk on the busy Route 11 underpass a few blocks away.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 28, 2015
3. Street View of the Sears Hill Bridge
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 28, 2015
4. Sears Hill Bridge over Staunton Station
There are no steps on the Sears Hill side of the bridge. A paved path, the extension of Winthrop Street, continues up the hill to Sears Hill Road.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, June 8, 2020
5. Sears House Rear View
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 697 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on October 9, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on June 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.
