High Bridge Photograph Collection
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- High Bridge Photograph Collection
- Date
- 1876-1877, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 0.5 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Bridges -- Kentucky -- History -- Pictorial works.
- Bridges -- Design and construction.
- Bridges -- Kentucky -- Kentucky River.
- Cantilever bridges
- Historic bridges.
- Preferred Citation
- 78pa107: [identification of item], High Bridge Photograph Collection, 1876-1877, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- James A. Mullen photographed the construction of High Bridge between 1876-1877 probably for his lithographic volume of views along the Cincinnati Southern Railway. Mr. Mullen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 14, 1834 and at seventeen he studied daguerreotyping under E.C. Hawkins and later on he learned new photographing techniques under Thomas Faris. In 1864 after serving as a photographer in the Engineer Corps, Mullen settle in Lexington, KY where he opened a Magonolia Gallery. In 1880s-1890s Mr. Mullen's work became recognized nationally and won several awards. He died at age 90 at his daughter's, Mrs. Frank Baker, home in Los Angeles.
- Located over the Kentucky River, High Bridge was once the highest bridge in North America and the highest railroad bridge in the world. A bridge was begun in the 1850s for the Lexington and Danville Railroad. It was to be a suspension bridge, designed by John A. Roebling, but was never completed. (The towers for the suspension cables were built and remained until 1929.) A bridge of cantilever design was finally opened in 1877 on the Cincinnati Southern Railway, 275 feet tall and 1,125 feet long, and dedicated by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1879. A new bridge was built around the existing structure in 1911 and expanded to two tracks in 1929.
- Scope and Content
- The High Bridge Photograph Collection (dated 1876-1877, undated; 0.5 cubic feet; 1 box) consists of a series of seven views of High Bridge (also known as the Kentucky River Bridge or the Cincinnati Southern Railway Bridge) photographed by James Mullen during various stages of its construction in 1876-1877. The photographs are captioned and provide information on the construction company and bridge specifications. The photograhic process of the prints is albumen .
- Also included in the collection is a photograph of the Clay's Ferry Bridge taken by Charles Waldack.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Kentucky River Bridge, Cincinnati Railway; shows completed span, undated
Kentucky River Bridge, Cincinnati Southern Railway; View No 2, shows half of Span No. 1, just before reaching temporary wooden pier, 1876 October 25
Kentucky River Bridge, Cincinnati Southern Railway; View No 3, shows half of Span No. 1 just before reaching temporary pier, and also shows north and south piers, undated
Kentucky River Bridge, Cincinnati Southern Railway; View No 4, shows Span No. 1 (375 ft in length) just before reaching Pier No. 1, 1876 November 14
Kentucky River Bridge, Cincinnati Southern Railway; View No. 6, shows part of Span No. 3 (south side), Pier No. 2 and temporary pier; also part of Span No.2 (north side), 1877 January 21
Kentucky River Bridge, Cincinnati Southern Railway; View No. 7, shows first half of bridge complete, undated
Kentucky River Bridge, Cincinnati Southern Railway; View No. 9, shows portion of Span 3, both piers and portion of center span, 1877 January 22
Clay's Ferry Bridge, undated
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
