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Historic Sites and Museums in Bowling Green
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Situated over the Barren River in Bowling Green, KY, the Louisville-Nashville Railroad Bridge played an important role in the Civil War. Being a border state, Kentucky proclaimed neutrality at the beginning of the war. This status was short-lived as both sides realized the strategic value, notably Bowling Green’s rail transportation system.

The L & N Railroad Bridge played an important role in the Civil War

Infrastructure, Track, Iron, Landmark

Situated over the Barren River in Bowling Green, KY, the Louisville-Nashville Railroad Bridge played an important role in the Civil War. Being a border state, Kentucky proclaimed neutrality at the beginning of the war. This status was short-lived as both sides realized the strategic value, notably Bowling Green’s rail transportation system.

Confederate troops invaded Bowling Green on September 18, 1861, seizing control of the city and Warren county. The area surrounding the city was abundant with productive farms and fresh water, making it an ideal depot for armies moving through the region. The L&N Railroad, and the Big Barren River, were reliable routes to move men and supplies quickly and efficiently. The area features hills that were easily fortified with artillery guns to protect transportation routes. Bowling Green was now the heart of Confederate operations in Kentucky.

The Confederate hold over the territory became tenuous when Union armies secured victories at Mills Springs in Eastern Kentucky, and at Forts Henry and Donelson to the West. Union armies advanced and, by orders of General Ormsby Mitchel, Bowling Green was bombarded from across the Barren River. The Confederate army was forced to retreat, but not before sabotaging the L&N Bridge in an attempt to hamstring further Union advance. After the capture of Bowling Green by the Union, Kentucky remained in federal control for the rest of the war. 

The L&N Railroad Bridge was one of the first bridges restored after 1862. The bridge consists of a single span, camelback through truss with diagonals placed in both tension and compression. This railroad bridge is the only rail access into Bowling Green from the north across the Barren River. The L&N Railroad Bridge is one of only two remaining bridges of its truss type in the county, the other being a smaller scale, rural highway bridge. The structure remains a symbol of the historic importance of the railroad to the county seat of Warren County, and strongly contributes to the expression of the form of the community. 

Kentucky MPS Barren River L&N Railroad Bridge, National Archives Catalogue. Accessed December 15th 2020. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123848727.

Civil War Driving Tour of Bowling Green and Warren County, Battlefield America Trust. Accessed December 28th 2020. https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/civil-war-driving-tour-bowling-green-and-warren-county.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=kentucky/bowlinggreenrailroad/