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

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The entrance to the Railroad Bridge and a historical marker with a brief history on the site (Bess Christopher / The Bama Buzz)

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

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The end of the Bridge with a view of the O’Neal bridge and Florence (Bess Christopher / The Bama Buzz)

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:

The Old Railroad Bridge

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The entrance of the bridge with a view showing how long the bridge is (Bess Christopher / The Bama Buzz)

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.

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The train mural near the entrance of the bridge, with a view that shows the upper part of the railroad track (Bess Christopher / The Bama Buzz)

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.

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A view of the Tennessee River and the O’Neal Bridge from the Old Railroad Bridge (Bess Christopher / The Bama Buzz)

Have you ever been to the Old Railroad Bridge? Let us know on Facebook & Instagram!

Bess Christopher
Bess Christopher
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