Buchanan Crosses the Mighty James

Since 1851, portions of the Buchanan Swinging Bridge have played a critical role in the Town of Buchanan's history while providing a scenic crossing of the James River. The Buchanan Swinging Bridge you see now is 366 feet long, 57.5 feet tall at the peak, and the only one of its type to cross the James River. Portions of the bridge have witnessed Hunter's Civil War raid, the rerouting of U.S. Route 11, and numerous floods.
The original stone piers rising from the James River were constructed in 1851 for the Buchanan Turnpike Company's Toll Bridge (above).
The toll for every person to pass through this wood covered bridge was five cents with an additional five cents for each horse, mule or oxen, and wagon.
On June 13, 1864 the covered bridge was burned by Confederate General McCausland in an effort to prevent Federal General Hunter and troops from crossing the James River on their way to Lynchburg.
The bridge was rebuilt following the war but washed away in a flood in 1877 (above). At that time, the Richmond & Alleghany Railroad Company rebuilt a toll-free covered bridge.
In 1897 this wood covered bridge was replaced with a steel truss bridge that remained in use until 1938.
In July of 1937 construction of the current concrete vehicular bridge over the James River with an agreement



under Mayor C.W. Blount to maintain pedestrian access to Pattonsburg via the swinging bridge. On July 4, 1938, the bridges were dedicated following a presentation by Governor E. Lee Trinkle.

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Kemble Building
Buchanan & The James River & Kanawha Canal
Buchanan Bridge
Star/Buchanan Theatre
Buchanan Baptist Church
H.L. Williams House
Trinity Episcopal Church
Trinity United Methodist Church
Wilson Warehouse
The Botetourt Artillery

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