Greenbrier River Bridges

Before to erection fo the first covered bridge an old Indian trail crossing known as Anderson Ford was used; this was a time when traffic among the road was very small. The Ford got its name from Capt. John Anderson who lived in the Anderson Mansion nearby.

The first original covered bridge was built in 1821 along with what is today US 60 (Midland Trail) in 1824. The original cover bridge was burned by the retreating Confederates following the Battle of Lewisburg in 1862. When General Heth was leading his troops back to Lewisburg from Union. When he reached Caldwell General Heth was diving in Union pickets from the Greenbrier Bridge at Caldwell. After the war, the Hunter family operated a ferry (Est. 1862,1865 till 1872) until another covered bridge was built. The second covered bridge was erected in 1872 and stood till it was razed in 1932 and replaced by a steel span bridge. This steel span bridge served Caldwell for 61 years and was nearly washed away by the 1985 flood. In June of 1993, it was razed and replaced in 1994 with the current bridge that now stands today.

Levels above Mean Tide

Caldwell, 0.56 mile west of, in top of north side of west abutment of steel bridge; aluminum tablet stamped "1,745" (B. 632, p. 10) 1744.562 Feet

Caldwell Bridge(s) Timeline

____ - 1821 (Anderson Ford)

Anderson Ford was an early Indian trail crossing used before the covered bridge was built in 1821, this was a time when traffic among the road was very small.

1821 - 1862 (First Covered Bridge)

The first covered bridge was built in 1821 and in operation till 1862 after it was burned by the retreating confederate army following the Battle of Lewisburg.

ca.1862-1865 Till 1873 (Hunter Ferry)

Following the burning of the covered bridge in 1862, the Hunter family operated a ferry established sometime between 1862 and 1865 till 1872 until the second covered bridge was built. In February of 1867, Henry Fielding Hunter was killed in a ferry accident while trying to secure the ferry more firmly to the bank during high waters when the cable broke, striking Henry and throwing him into the swirling water and drowning. He is buried in the Hunter Cemetery nearby.

Hand drawn picture of the ferry that was in operation from around 1863 or 1865 to 1873 a estimated total of 10 years.

Source: Scribner's Monthly, Vol. V. January 1873, No. 3, New Ways in the Old Dominion - The Chesapeak and Ohio Railroad

1872 - 1932 (Second Covered Bridge)

Hand drawn sketch of Caldwell Covered Bridge & Elmhurst across the river from 1878.

Source: Harper's New Monthly Magazine. v.57 June-Nov.1878, Pg. 341

Source: West Virginia & Regional History Center

Caldwell Bridge over Greenbrier River in Greenbrier County, Combination timber Arch and truss Bridge. Two 211' Spans, double roadway. Built about 1870. One of the longest wooden bridges in the State.

Source: Annual Report of the State Road Commission, West Virginia 1920 - 1921

Inside view of the Caldwell Bridge

Source: Annual Report of the State Road Commission, West Virginia 1920 - 1921

Source: https://www.okeylwva.com

Log Drive on the Greenbrier

"Logs are shown floating down the Greenbrier to the Ronceverte Mill on the St. Lawrence Boom and Manufacturing Company from the upriver forests. This is a "drive" at an unknown date. Note "Arks" in the river near the left bank. Picture taken from Caldwell Bridge. "

Source: Greenbrier Historical Society Journal, Volume 1, Number 5 October 1967. Courtesy of C. T. Sydenstricker

Source:

1931 - 1932 (Transition)

Photos below taken aound 1932 1933

Photo credits below go to Bob Conte - Facebook

Notice the new bridge pillars for the soon coming construction of the new steel span bridge.

Photo not taken during flood stage

Notice: The 3 signs on the middle post of the covered bridge. The top sign is the only on that is readable. Reading "Load Limit 4 1/2 Tons"

ca. 1927

Source: Facebook

Click the above trop down (1931-1932 Transition) for the information below to apply

The second photo is a wonderful photo taken atop Steep Goat Hill looking towards North Caldwell. Here we get to see history taking place. We see the 2nd covered bridge being razed while the steel span bridge being erected. Also take notice of the City of Lewisburg Pumping Station that supplied Lewisburg with water during this time in history. If we look a little further back into the right hand side of the photo we can see the C&O North Caldwell Train Depot. Ever so slightly to the left of this we can see what is today US 60 (Midland Trail) ascending in elevation towards Lewisburg. In earlier days the road just crossed the tracks but as times went on a much needed bridge was built about 1932.

Postcard Photos from Bridge

Looking upriver from the Caldwell cover bridge towards Camp Shaw-Me-Del-Eca

Source: Personal Collection

1932 - 1993 (Steel Span Bridge)

.....In the 1930's, the coverdbridge was replaced by a steel span. This steel bridge stood until the late 1980's. It was nearly washed away by the 1985 Flood and was finally replaced.

Source: Source: https://www.okeylwva.com

1940's
Source: Personal Collection

1993-1994 (Transition)

Source: West Virginia Daily News Vol. 99 No. 113 Thursday, June 10, 1993

1994-Present

Source: Caldwell Connection Facebook page by Mary Sheppard Wade.

Source: Personal Collection

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