Visit to the High Bridge

On May 24, members and friends of the NRHS Rivanna Chapter visited the High Bridge Trail State Park near Farmville.  The Park encompasses the remnants of the historic High Bridge, built in 1854 to cross the Appomattox River and connect Petersburg and Lynchburg. The bridge is 2,400 feet long and ranges from 60 to 125 feet high. It was originally made of wood, standing on 21 brick piers and included a pedestrian walkway next to the tracks and a nearby wagon bridge. During the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces attempted to destroy the bridge to their advantage. Today a newer bridge, adjacent to the remains of the original, is a rail trail converted from a line last belonging to Norfolk Southern and having originated as a portion of the South Side Railroad.

Bob Flippen, an educational specialist with the Park, provided an excellent narrative and tour for our group.  Bob explained the construction of the bridges, the strategic role they played in the War, and the fortifications at both ends of the Bridge. 

After the walking and biking tour many of the participants enjoyed lunch together at Charley’s Water Front Café in Farmville.  The photos below capture the highlights of the day.

Denis Mason checks out the former N&W depot

in Farmville on the way to the High Bridge

Ann Harrod photo

 

Approach to the bridge with crushed

 stone on top of the old railroad bed

Doug Bush photo

 

Bob Flippen describes the construction

of the bridge at a shady overlook 

Ben Farmer photo

 

Above: the new bridge is on the right and the

 remains of the old bridge are on the left. 

Below: one of the old brick piers is shown with

 angle iron and bands, added later for stabilization.

Carl Bauske photos



 

 

The Rivanna Chapter group pauses at the

mid-point on the bridge on a glorious sunny day

Doug Bush photo

 

The Chapter and Ross Thomas thank Bob Flippen

 for an excellent tour and present a print of PRR 477768

(neither the Seaboard nor the PRR ran over the High Bridge!)

Ann Harrod photo

 

Members and friends cool off at Charley's in Farmville

Ed de Bary photo

 

 

For more information on the High Bridge and the Park, visit the sites below: 

 

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/high-bridge-trail.shtml

  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Bridge_Trail_State_Park