1872 Wooden Bridge - Island, Kentucky

Bridges can define a community. In the Western Kentucky town of Island, an over 150-year-old wooden bridge is the centerpiece of their community.

The bridge was constructed when the Owensboro & Nashville Railroad came through McLean County. It carried Main Street over the now-removed O&N tracks until 1997. After 125 years of operation, a modern concrete structure replaced the bridge. The wooden bridge was dismantled and kept in storage. Preservation efforts were led by the Island Heritage Council Association.

In 2001, the bridge was rebuilt, with rotted pieces replaced, one block to the south. The bridge became the centerpiece of Island Wooden Bridge Park. The park is a public square, and visitors can walk on or below the bridge.