High Bridge Trail State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Bridge Trail State Park |
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High Bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park
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 High Bridge Trail State Park
Location in Virginia
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| Location | Central and Southside Virginia, United States |
| Nearest city | Farmville, Virginia |
| Area | 1,206 acres (488 ha) |
| Established | 2006 Completed: 2012 |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
High Bridge Trail State Park is a cool outdoor spot in Southside Virginia. It's a long trail built on an old railroad line. The trail is perfect for biking, walking, and even horseback riding!
The park gets its name from the amazing High Bridge. This historic bridge crosses the Appomattox River. The first part of the trail opened in 2008. The whole trail, including the restored High Bridge, was finished in 2012. It's now more than thirty miles long!
The trail goes through several counties like Appomattox and Prince Edward. It also passes through towns such as Farmville. In Farmville, the trail runs right next to Longwood University.
Contents
The Historic High Bridge
Building the Bridge
The High Bridge was built a long time ago, in 1854. It was part of the Southside Railroad. The bridge helped connect the cities of Petersburg and Lynchburg.
This huge bridge is about 2,400 feet (730 m) long. It stands very high, from 60 to 125 feet (18 to 38 m) above the river. It was first made of wood, resting on 20 brick supports. The top part had tracks for trains and a walkway for people. The bottom part was for wagons.
High Bridge in the Civil War
The High Bridge played an important role in the American Civil War. In April 1865, the war was almost over. Confederate soldiers tried to burn the bridge. They wanted to stop Union troops from following them.
On April 7, 1865, Confederate engineers set the bridge on fire. Union soldiers arrived as it was burning. Three of the wooden sections were destroyed. A fourth section was also on fire. Union engineers quickly cut the fourth section. This stopped the fire from spreading further. Then, Union soldiers rushed across the lower part of the bridge. This forced the Confederate forces to retreat. The bridge was saved from total destruction. This event helped speed up the end of the war.
After the Battle of High Bridge, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered. He told his engineers, including Major General William Mahone, to go home and rebuild the bridge. They started building temporary sections. The railroad company finished the work. Trains were running again by September 1865.
High Bridge Trail State Park History
From Railroad to Park
The last train crossed High Bridge on October 26, 2004. In 2006, the Norfolk Southern company gave about 31 miles (50 km) of its old rail line to Virginia. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation now manages it. They wanted to turn it into a state park. The High Bridge would be the main attraction.
The goal was to create a path for walkers, bikers, and horseback riders. This would help protect the area. It would also be a great place to learn about local and national history.
Opening the Trail
Building the park cost about $11 million. The first four miles of the trail opened on August 22, 2008. This part was east of Farmville. Then, 12 more miles opened on June 6, 2009. This section went from Farmville west to Prospect.
Finally, on April 6, 2012, the last part of the trail was finished. The High Bridge itself was also fully restored. For the first time, the entire trail was open to everyone. This was 147 years after the Battle of High Bridge!
What You Can See and Do at the Park
Trail Features
The High Bridge Trail State Park is now open to the public. It used to be private. The trail is more than thirty miles long. It has a white limestone gravel surface. The trail is mostly flat, just like the old rail line.
Along the trail, you can find picnic areas, parking, and restrooms. You'll also see big oak trees. Look for old telegraph poles from the 1900s. You might even spot parts of the railroad's old signal system. Original cement mile markers from Norfolk Southern are still there too. Park rangers and local police keep the trail safe every day.
Community Support
A group called the Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park helps the park. This volunteer group formed shortly after the trail was created. They help by cleaning the trail. They also spread the word about the park. And they help patrol the trail to keep it safe.
Mountain Biking
High Bridge State Park also has a special Mountain Bike Trail System. It's located about 1.5 miles east of the Main Street Access in Farmville. There are two single-track loops for mountain biking:
- The Earley trail: This is a 1.6-mile loop. It's marked with blue blazes and is good for beginners.
- The Burnside Technical Trail: This is a 2.6-mile loop. It's marked with red blazes and is for intermediate or difficult riders.
