"Smallhous Turn Bridge"

Turning Bridge, Turn Bridge, Swing Bridge and on and on. There are a few names for a bridge that can be swung from one position to another. This type bridge is positioned on a pier with equal amounts of bridge on either side of the pier and is able to be moved horizontally from one position to another. Normally, this type of bridge is positioned parallel to the river and when need be, it can be swung 90 degrees or so to be lined up with a railroad tracks so as to complete a path for a train crossing. In most cases, a swing bridge will be placed on a "Middle Pier" with a normal position of being parallel to the river or "Up and Down" the river in order to not impeded any river traffic. Then, when needed, the bridge could be "Swung" 90 degrees or so to where it could be lined up with the railroad tracks and then locked so that a path could be made for a train to safely cross the bridge. Of course, this type of bridge can be used for automobile traffic as well as a railroad bridge.

The small town of Smallhous has seen better days and the town is gone. A lone Church, near the old town of Smallhous, is still an active Church, thus keeping the memory of Smalhous alive. For the most part, the railroad is gone and the rails and any serviceable part of the railroad system have been salvaged leaving the railroad bed. The swing bridge is locked in position, parallel to the river, and the connecting rails have been destroyed, mostly by vandals. The depot, water tank, and anything pertaining to a bridge operation are gone leaving only building bases and foundation. The bridge sits in the middle of the river on a middle pier and is mostly protected by vandals by the Green River. Of course time and the elements will eventually take the bridge. Another historic relic in the area gone or nearly gone, not to be replaced or restored. Such a shame.

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Again, thanks for looking and coming back to this Rockport, KY web site.

jerry