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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Buchanan Swinging Bridge

(click on photo to enlarge)
Braden.


After picking up Christian's girlfriend in Buchanan on Friday I wanted to walk around a bit and snap some pictures with my new camera. The boys wanted to cross the bridge. So we did. Ashlyn's boyfriend carved their initials somewhere on it a while back. We tried to find them but couldn't. It was cold. We were walking fast.

Here's some history on the bridge:

"The Buchanan Swinging Bridge is 366 feet long, 57.5 feet tall, the only one of its type to cross the James River and owned by VDOT. In 1999 the Swinging Bridge was recognized as a National Register Historic Landmark as part of the Town of Buchanan National Register Historic District.
Portions of the large stone piers were constructed in 1851 for the Buchanan Turnpike Company's Toll Bridge. Toll for every person was five cents with an additional five cents for each horse, mule or oxen and five cents for each wagon.

On June 13, 1864 the covered bridge was burned by Confederate General McCausland in an effort to prevent Federal troops from crossing the James River on their way to Lynchburg. The bridge was rebuilt but washed away in a flood of 1877. At this time, the R&A Railroad Company rebuilt a toll free covered bridge. In 1897 this wood covered bridge was replaced with a steel bridge that remained in use until 1938.

In July of 1937 construction of the current concrete James River Bridge was started with an agreement to maintain pedestrian access. On July 4, 1938, the bridge was dedicated. The bridge is adjacent to many shops & restaurants in downtown Buchanan."
FOUND HERE

Took the boys back to Buchanan yesterday to see EPIC at the old Buchanan Theatre. I've shown you a picture HERE. It's my favorite place to catch a movie! Oh, and EPIC was so cute so I rented it for today and invited Ashlyn and her boyfriend over for lunch and a movie. You should watch it!

Hope you all have a very happy New Year and be safe if you are headed out tonight to celebrate!

**UPDATE**

I'm adding a photo here that Sunnybrook Farm sent me of the Buchanan Bridge back in the day:

How cool is that?!! Thank you Sunnybrook!!



15 comments:

  1. Nothing like being on that bridge on a cold windy day and then have it start bouncing around. There is a photo of the covered wooden bridge. The canal wharf used to be over on the south side under the bridge where the large cut stones are.

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    1. http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/F1/NS3598.JPG

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  2. Interesting info on the bridge, Tanya. I wouldn't like to be on it though on a windy day.
    Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

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  3. Beautiful! I'm a big fan of black and white. Have a Happy New Year!

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  4. great shot of the bridge. happy new year to you and yours!

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  5. New camera! What fun! Happy New Year, Tanya!

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  6. I imagine it was cold on that bridge -- kudos to you for braving the weather to get this great shot. xo

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  7. Wow, I don't know if I'd be brave enough to walk on anything called a swinging bridge! I'm a little scared of heights anyway haha.

    PS - I've never heard of lemon cucumbers but they sound amazing! I'll have to research those to see if maybe we can grow them in our zone.

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  8. Did someone say a "new camera"?! :-)

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  9. Great shot and cool history- happy New Year to you and yours!!

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  10. Very cool indeed Tanya and that first shot is awesome. Happy New Year. Hug B

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  11. Love the present and past shot. Happy New Year!

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  12. Wonderful shot, works perfectly in b&W!

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  13. Your shot looks great in black and white. It's fun to compare old and new, things don't really change that much. :)

    All the best to you and your family in 2014!

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  14. I'd find that bridge quite appealing, and it works well in black and white.

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Hi! I'm so happy you've stopped by and always enjoy your comments :)