Near Munfordville in Hart County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
L&N Railroad Bridge
Constructed 1857-1859
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015
1. L&N Railroad Bridge Marker
Inscription.
L&N Railroad Bridge. Constructed 1857-1859. By 1857, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad lacked only one connection for through trains to travel between the two cities, a bridge over Green River. Irish stonecutters John W. Key and sons were hired for two years to construct the piers that uphold the bridge, and German immigrant engineer Albert Fink designed and built one of his patented trusses. In its day, this bridge was the largest iron bridge in the United States, at 1,075 feet long. , , The bridge’s true importance became evident in 1861, as the armies of the Union and Confederacy sought control of the vital rail lines. This railroad bridge was the link that could draw northern forces south. In an odd turn of fate, in August 1861 when General Simon Bolivar Buckner received instructions to destroy the bridge, the Keys, who had joined Buckner’s rebel force, were detailed to set and blow the charges, dropping two spans into the river to prevent the Union from using the bridge. , , Three battles and five years of continuous military occupation followed, all for defense of the bridge. But the war would end, and trains would continue, and the stone piers that bore witness to the conflict still support the bridge today. , , (Left Illustration Caption) , Albert Fink, a German immigrant and civil engineer, devised a type of bridge truss known as the “Fink Truss,” a patent design of overlapping wrought-iron king-post trusses with additional diagonal bracing. The piers are constructed of locally quarried limestone. , , (Center Image Caption) , Plumb-bob used by John W. Keys and sons in building the bridge piers. , , (Right Illustration Caption) , During occupation, armies would lay floors across the bridge’s rails to allow men, horses and wagons to cross in great numbers.
By 1857, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad lacked only one connection for through trains to travel between the two cities—a bridge over Green River. Irish stonecutters John W. Key and sons were hired for two years to construct the piers that uphold the bridge, and German immigrant engineer Albert Fink designed and built one of his patented trusses. In its day, this bridge was the largest iron bridge in the United States, at 1,075 feet long.
The bridge’s true importance became evident in 1861, as the armies of the Union and Confederacy sought control of the vital rail lines. This railroad bridge was the link that could draw northern forces south. In an odd turn of fate, in August 1861 when General Simon Bolivar Buckner received instructions to destroy the bridge, the Keys, who had joined Buckner’s rebel force, were detailed to set and blow the charges, dropping two spans into the river to prevent the Union from using the bridge.
Three battles and five years of continuous military occupation followed, all for defense of the bridge. But the war would end, and trains would continue, and the stone piers that bore witness to the conflict still support the bridge today.
(Left Illustration Caption)
Albert Fink, a German immigrant and civil engineer, devised a type of bridge truss known as the
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“Fink Truss,” a patent design of overlapping wrought-iron king-post trusses with additional diagonal bracing. The piers are constructed of locally quarried limestone.
(Center Image Caption)
Plumb-bob used by John W. Keys and sons in building the bridge piers.
(Right Illustration Caption)
During occupation, armies would lay floors across the bridge’s rails to allow men, horses and wagons to cross in great numbers.
Erected by Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve.
Location. 37° 15.522′ N, 85° 53.467′ W. Marker is near Munfordville, Kentucky, in Hart County. Marker can be reached from Charlie Dowling Road, 0.3 miles north of S. Dixie Highway (U.S. 31W). Marker is Stop #4 on the Battlefield Loop (Walking) Trail at the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve; the above directions are to the trailhead. Parking is available at the Anthony Woodson Farm of the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve, which is directly east of the trailhead, but is accessed from S. Dixie Highway (US 31W) 0.3 miles north of its intersection with Charlie Dowling Road. Touch for map
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015
2. Bridge During the Civil War
Close-up of illustration on marker
. Marker is in this post office area: Munfordville KY 42765, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Battlefield Loop Trail between Stop 3 and Stop 4
The L&N Railroad Bridge marker (Stop 4) is at top of the rise
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015
5. View to East from Battlefield Loop Trail
The trail head and Stop 1 and the Anthony Woodson House are visible in the center background
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015
6. L&N Railroad Bridge Marker (Stop 4) at the Northwest Corner of the Battlefield Loop Trail
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015
7. L&N Railroad Bridge as Viewed from Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015
8. Continuing Along Battlefield Loop Trail to Stop 5
View to northwest with Fort Craig in the grove of trees on the left
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 9, 2015
9. View to West from Battlefield Loop Trail
Marker and the L&N Railroad Bridge are visible
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 723 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 8, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.