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When High Bridge opened in 1877 it was the first cantilever bridge in North America and it was the highest bridge over a navigable stream until the early 20th century. It towers about 280 feet over the Kentucky River Palisades. In 1986, the American Society of Civil Engineers designated High Bridge as an engineering landmark and it's been exhibited as a model in the Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institute. From the beginning, High Bridge has attracted sightseers. High Bridge Historic Post Card Collection Shortly after
its opening a park was established as the community of High Bridge.
The park had picnic grounds, a restaurant, a dancing pavilion and
riding stables and became a popular place to hold cultural and religious
Although
High Bridge is no longer the world's highest bridge, and passenger
trains, which numbered as many as 12 per day in the 1920's, no longer
run on the tracks, it is still heavily used for commerce. In fact,
this Norfolk-Southern Line is the busiest north-south route in the
nation.
The park, which
is located at KY 29 where it dead ends at the river, likewise, is
again being used extensively. High Bridge Park has experienced a
rebirth with the reconstruction of the Victorian-style pavilion
and other recreational amenities. Recreational and cultural events
once again are featured at the site for everyone's enjoyment. Contact
the County Judge's office at 859-885-4500
for further information.
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meetings.
Speakers such as politician William Jennings Bryan and evangelists
Billy Sunday and Sam Jones spoke there. Trainloads of people from
Cincinnati, Lexington and other northern points disembarked at High
Bridge for recreation, sightseeing and dancing. During the latter
half of the 20th century, the park took a long slide into disuse;
however, the bridge's lure remained strong.
