Alabama’s oldest river bridge, The Old Railroad Bridge in Sheffield

Did you know that many areas in Muscle Shoals are considered a National Heritage Area? Among those hundreds of unique sites within the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area, is The Old Railroad Bridge.

The Old Railroad Bridge is the oldest river bridge in the state of Alabama, connecting Sheffield and Florence. Keep reading for all the information on The Old Railroad Bridge.

The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area

Within the Muscle Shoals heritage area there are 121 unique sites. Some of the different themes for the sites include music and art, indigenous heritage, and many spots along the Tennessee River.

Some of the sites included in this heritage area are:

• Alabama Music Hall of Fame
• FAME Music Studios
• Billy Reid
• The North Alabama Birding Trail
• Wheeler Lake
• The Old Railroad Bridge

The Old Railroad Bridge

The historic Old Railroad Bridge was first constructed in 1830, but before then there are signs of indigenous groups crossing this same path.

In the early 1800’s the military crossed the water here during the war of 1812 on their way to New Orleans, and in 1817 the Florence ferry originated in this very spot.

The bridge has suffered many natural and man made disasters in its time. The bridge has been struck by two tornadoes, a ferry boat, and was burned by the confederate army in 1862. Despite the damage the bridge has endured, it continues to stand as a historical landmark for the Shoals area.

Today, the bridge serves the area as a 1,500 foot walking trail over the Tennessee River. This walking trail is part of the TVA’s Muscle Shoals Trail Complex.

• Location: Old Railroad Bridge, Sheffield, AL 35660
• Hours: Monday-Sunday 6AM-7PM

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