| | | The Great Flood of 1932 and Richwood railroad bridge.
Cherry River overflow it's banks! |
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That old rail bridge is gone, and no one can bring it back, but most people, of a certain age, are familiar with the bridge and the Cherry River is still a swift-flowing river at times.Richwood Railroad Bridge was constructed for railway use only near the turn of the century 1898. For those who live on Riverside Drive it were a pedestrian traffic bridge and an ideal short cut for us Riverside Drive Kids going to town. During the late 1970’s and into the early 1980’s coal went bust, and took with it the railroad and livelihood of thousands of local Richwooders. In the mid 90’s the bridge was renovated as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge and in 2003 major flash flooding washed the rail bridge away.Where: Rail bridge, Richwood
When: I'm guessing this is 1932
Submitted by: Rick Rann
FeedbacksFeedback: Some wrong info Railroad bridge
Date: Jan 10, 2010 1:34 PM
Attachments: Landmarks Railroad Bridge 001.jpg and Landmarks South Side Bridge 002.jpg
Hello
Not meaning to step on any ones toes but I see an error in a comment on a picture. I think you maybe should have caught this. Just punching you a bit here. Any way
I have sent 2 pictures of the old railroad bridge that was down river from the old skating rink. In reading under both pictures you will see it says the bridge collapsed in the 1954 flood. And if you have a Richwood Book by Luther D. Baker. Look on page 37 you will find one of the pictures listed on Richwooders as 1932 listed in the book as 1940. Also on page 40 of this book you will find another one listed as 1940. Since this Mr. Baker had the pictures from the source I figure the date to be correct.
Here is the Part that seems to be in error. And I think you will see the news paper clips will say 1954 "In the mid 90’s the bridge was renovated as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge and in 2003 major flash flooding washed the rail bridge away."Just a suggestion about some dates. Keep up your good work.
Paul Richard Greathouse
Richwood W. Va.
Remark: The first Picture is the B & O Railroad Bridge and the second picture
is the Southside Street Bridge that got washed out in 1954.……
Remark: Subject: Mountaineers - old railroad Bridge
Date: Feb 26, 2010 9:35 PM
I was going by the picture I posted about the railroad bridge. The picture said the rail road bridge went down in the 54 flood. This picture
"Atomic Proof City" shows that railroad bridge in it. I suppose these cards that Bob Smith put out were in the late 50's or early 60's. The bridge can be seen intact in that post card.
Feedback: A bridge over troubled water
Date: Jan 11, 2010 11:23 PM
I don’t know if my mind is playing mind games on me but I re-member crossing that old railroad bridge and going roller skating a few years after the 54 Flood and into the early 60‘s….. I knew the girl who lived in the house at the end of the bridge, we were in the band together and that was in the early 60’s maybe I’m getting senile in my old age and that bridge wasn‘t there in the 60‘s…..
Anthony
Houston Texas
Remark
I was there for the 50’s and 60's and I remember the Corp of Engineers dredged the Cherry River and that Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge made of timber, steel, concrete and I remember the Southside Bridge foundations washed out and the bridge collapsed into the Cherry River July 18, 1954 the bridge that carried traffic to Southside….I'm afraid I can't tell you more than that. Can you help?
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Below are some comments from Richwooders Guestbook about Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge
(#1146) The railroad bridge behind the skating rink was still there after the 54 flood. They were still hauling coal out of Richwood and using the tipple in Milltown. The Johnstown and Weber City were destroyed along with the dam on the river in front of where the football field is today I think the location is right.
Gary cumberledge <garyjanc at peoplepc.com>
Federalsburg, md USA - Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:59:34 (CST)
(#1126) I believe the old railroad bridge was behind the old skating rink..
Bob Hanna
Wadsworth, Ohio United States - Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 09:33:49 (CST)
(#1124) Hey Jo Ann…….thanks for sharing the information!…… about Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge. Cheers!
Mary Hall <maryannhall100 at yahoo.com>
Ripley, WV. USA - Monday, January 18, 2010 at 16:27:12 (CST)
(#1123) I have the newspaper article with two pictures. One showing the bridge before the flood and a picture showing it after it collapsed.
Jo ann O'Dell Fox <jfox40 at columbus.rr.com>
Circleville, OH USA - Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 06:47:08 (CST)
(#1121) To #1119. Are we talking about the same Bridge, in the Newsleader article? I thought they were talking about the old Southside trestle Bridge which was a landmark in Richwood and did collapsed During the 54 Flood. Am I getting senile in my old age? I was sure they were talking about the Southside trestle Bridge in that newspaper article.
Mary Hall <maryannhall100 at yahoo.com>
Ripley, WV. USA - Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 16:15:39 (CST)
(#1119) According to an article in the Newsleader the strong currents of the 1954 flood washed out the foundations and the bridge collapsed. The U.S. Corps of Engineers removed the ruins when the river was dredged.
Jo Ann O'Dell Fox <jfox4 at columbus.rr.com>
Circleville, Oh USA - Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 09:19:48 (CST)
(#1118) When did the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge washed out in Richwood? I got great memories of Richwood but for some reason I can’t remember what happened to that old Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge down river from the old skating rink, I'm talkin' late 50's, very early 60's here.…..anyone know the true facts on the bridge… Thank you…..PS - Instead of sending me an email put it on the guestbook so we all can see it…
Mary Hall <maryannhall100 at yahoo.com>
Ripley, W. Va. USA - Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 08:55:55 (CST)
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This picture of the Cherry River was taken July 2009 at Riverside Drive and Southside Bridge. The view is looking down river toward the old rail bridge over the river. |
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