High Bridge was first used on April 20, 1877, spanning a 1,300 foot gap over the Kentucky River, at a height of 276 feet and was the link between the Northern and Southern states. The community near the bridge was also named High Bridge and was a major tourist attraction for many years. A park was built there that included picnic tables, a dancing pavilion and a restaurant. Efforts are underway at this time to restore the park.
Adda Lewis remembers the bridge well and recalls how the bridge was closed to climbers after some teenagers were playing on the bridge and one of them was killed after falling off the bridge.
In the 1920s, as many as twelve passenger trains went over the bridge daily.
Photo and Text by Shelia Bruner-Ramos 1998