ENGINEERING LANDMARK
HIGH BRIDGE
The majestic High Bridge railroad structure, considered an engineering marvel of its time and featured by the Smithsonian Institute, is an honored landmark that spans the Kentucky River at the breathtaking Gorge and Palisades. When built in 1877 it was the highest railroad trestle in the world.

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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 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.

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.

The original Highbridge Pavilion at the end of the 20th century, just before the structure was razed in lieu of the new structure shown above.