more from Gauley Bridge

 

Gauley Bridge was once, like many communities in WV, a very vibrant town. The name Gauley Bridge dates from the early 1820's when a wooden covered bridge carried important goods and services across the James River and  Kanawha Turnpikes across the Gauley River and into the Kanawha Valley. The village that sprang up was of strategic significance during the Civil War. 

 Photo was taken in April of 2021 at Gauley Bridge, WV. 

Gauley Bridge is in Fayette County, WV and as of 2010 had about 600 people living in the community. The New and Gauley Rivers combine here to form the Kanawha River. This area is filled with tourists each year as they travel Rt. 60, The Midland Trail, which crosses the state from east and west from Huntington to points close to the Virginia border. Interstate 64 is now the quick route to follow into White Sulphur Springs but before the Interstate Rt. 60 was the Rt. 66 of WV. Hawk's Nest State Park is about mid-way on the journey. 

This view of the confluence of the Kanawha River shows the popular islands that house a vacation home on one island and the three crosses on another. A ferry system was used many years ago to place the first home on the island which was a bus. It was a full-time home at first and is now a vacation home. I'm sure many out there know more history so let's have some comments.