As of October 1997, there are only 12 covered bridges remaining in Kentucky. Most of those are in the northeastern corner of the state. Two of the remaining covered bridges are in danger. In fact, one of them, the Switzer (pronounced Swight-zer) Bridge in Franklin County was knocked off its foundation and washed downstream by a flash flood along Elkhorn Creek in the spring of 1997. It is in the process of being restored. Another bridge, the Colville Bridge in Bourbon County, was also damaged during that flood and has been closed to traffic.
In September 1997, I visited several of Kentucky's remaining covered bridges. Here are photos and narratives relating to these bridges.
This bridge is located along KY 111 in Fleming County, between
Owingsville and Flemingsburg. Known as the Grange City Bridge or
Hillsboro bridge, it is closed to vehicular traffic.
This is the historical marker located at the Grange City (Hillsboro)
Bridge.
This bridge is located on KY 158 at Ringos Mill in Fleming County. It
is closed to vehicular traffic. It is located between KY 111 and KY
32.
This is the historical marker located at the Ringos Mill
bridge.
This bridge is one of the best-known in Kentucky. It's the Goddard
Bridge, made famous by the picturesque view of a church through the
bridge portal. It is located just off KY 32 in Fleming County,
between Morehead and Flemingsburg, and is still open to
traffic.
This is the historical marker located at the Goddard
bridge.
This covered bridge is in Robertston County, off KY 1029. It is known
as the Johnson Creek bridge, and is closed to traffic. There is no
historical marker at this bridge. It can be reached via KY 165 or KY
2505 off US 68, or by taking KY 1029 from US 62. This bridge is a bit
off the roadway, and thus is subject to vandalism.
A view of the inside of the Johnson Creek bridge. You can see the
spray-painted graffiti, along with missing side boards. The boards
appear to have been kicked out of the side of the bridge, because
they can be seen below the bridge in the creekbed.
This bridge is located in Bracken County, at the intersection of KY 9
(the AA Highway) and KY 1159. It is known as the Walcott Bridge and
is closed to traffic.
This bridge is located at Dover, in Mason County, along KY 8 between
Maysville and Augusta. It is still open to traffic.
This historical marker along KY 8 marks the Dover bridge. Sorry for
the hard-to-read picture, but the marker is faded and needs
restoration.
When I get the chance, I hope to visit the rest of Kentucky's covered
bridges and put photos of them on this page.
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This
page created Oct. 22, 1997.
Modified Sept. 23, 1998
©1997 H.B. Elkins