A well-constructed swinging bridge, likely a 1960s
erection, crosses the West Fork of the Little
Kanawha near the long-gone Village of Richardson
By Bob Weaver
There are still a few swinging bridges being used in Calhoun County, but most are dangling in disrepair across rivers and streams.
Built without benefit of formal engineering, the swinging bridge is a distinctive form of folk construction, suited for pedestrians crossing streams in the rugged Appalachian region.
Swinging bridges were common landmarks in the last century.
The bridges were not for the faint of heart.
Although such bridges are strong enough to support foot traffic, they lack stiffness and swing from side to side and vertically under foot traffic.
Many bridges, lacking repair and wire sides, were invitations to take a tumble.
Perhaps, my ambulance buddy and I almost met our maker in the 1960s, attempting to get an ambulance cot across Sandy Creek, Roane County. The bridge had open sides. A woman was having a heart attack, and slowly moving the cot high above the creekbed, the cot got stuck in a crack.
In the darkness of night, someway, somehow, we fearfully inched her across to get her to the hospital.
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