The Camp Nelson Bridge over the Kentucky River at the Garrard Jessamine County line is likely the best known of all of Kentuckys covered bridges. The double barrel span was built in 1838 by Lewis Wernwag. At 240 it was the longest single span wooden bridge in the world.
During the Civil War the bridge was considered so important as one of only two highway bridges over the Kentucky River that a company of Union soldiers from the nearby army post were stationed at either end of the bridge to protect it from sabotage.
After nearly ninety years of continuous service, a heavily loaded truck from Lexington broke through one of the floorboards that had rotted due to a leaky roof. After being closed to traffic in 1926 efforts were made in vain to save the bridge. Lewis Wernwags Bluegrass masterpiece was intentionally collapsed during demolition on October 19, 1933.
Return to KyCoveredBridges.org
During the Civil War the bridge was considered so important as one of only two highway bridges over the Kentucky River that a company of Union soldiers from the nearby army post were stationed at either end of the bridge to protect it from sabotage.
After nearly ninety years of continuous service, a heavily loaded truck from Lexington broke through one of the floorboards that had rotted due to a leaky roof. After being closed to traffic in 1926 efforts were made in vain to save the bridge. Lewis Wernwags Bluegrass masterpiece was intentionally collapsed during demolition on October 19, 1933.
Return to KyCoveredBridges.org
