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An old, dilapidated wooden bridge with a ramp, surrounded by dense forest and autumn leaves on the ground under a partly cloudy sky.

Swinging Bridges of Eastern Kentucky

Overhanging, derelict bridge above a small river in a forest with green trees and a dirt path on the left.
Wooden bridge with a ramp, located in a forested area with green trees and a partly cloudy sky.

South Fork Quicksand Creek (Breathitt County, KY)

Old wooden bridge overgrown with plants, surrounded by trees and rural buildings in the background on a sunny day.
An old, weathered wooden footbridge with broken and missing planks, covered with fallen leaves, surrounded by dense trees with green leaves, in a forest.
Underneath view of a wooden footbridge over a creek with trees and a grassy area in the background.
Sunlight shining through a dense forest with green leaves, trees, and underbrush.

The swinging bridges of Eastern Kentucky are a cornerstone to the regional culture. Historically, these family-constructed bridges served as the primary means of crossing the areas large rivers and creeks, especially during seasonal flooding. While there are still notorious, maintained examples in the area that can be visited, this photo project focused on capturing these bridges in various stages of use and decay, from new construction, to well-worn private bridges, to derelict structures being overtaken by the elements.

A suspension bridge over a creek in a wooded park with trees, grass, and blue sky with some clouds.
A wooden suspension bridge extending over a lush, autumn landscape with colorful trees and a forested hill in the background.
A narrow wooden bridge built with planks and wire mesh rails over a small creek in a forest during fall, with signs indicating the years 2061 to 2069 on a sign above the bridge.
A rustic wooden suspension bridge in a rural area with green foliage, leading towards a hillside with trees in fall colors under a partly cloudy sky.
A narrow wooden footbridge with a rusty metal railing on one side, surrounded by dense green foliage and fallen leaves.
A wooden suspension bridge with safety netting, spanning a grassy and wooded area with hills and a partly cloudy sky above.
A wooden suspension bridge crossing over a grassy path in a forest with trees showing early fall colors.