Hendricks Swinging Bridge

Text and Photos by Candy Thompson

The hills of West Virginia are filled with monumental reminders from years gone by. Hendricks (Suspension) Swinging Bridge in Tucker County is one of those historical reminders. It was rebuilt in the late fall of 1988. Mr. Harry Nojek was the mayor of Hendricks at the time of the November flood of 1985. He was largely responsible for seeing the bridge get refurbished. It was built with FEMA funds by the Tressler Corporation.

The bridge has three tall wooden supports built on concrete pillars. The span between each of the wooden supports measures approximately 110 feet. Wire-steel cables connected to the wooden supports hold the rough planed boards you walk across on. Along each side of the walkway is a 4-foot-high chain link fence to hold on to. 

There were two other swinging bridges built before this one. Back in earlier times, men used to walk across the bridges to jobs in lumber camps, railroad yards and coal mines. Women would scurry across with baked goods and other homemade items to trade or sell.  And children could be seen running across the bridges to attend one room schoolhouses. 

Charles Darwin Gillispie built the first swinging bridge in 1901. Mr. Gillispie had built a settlement of 16 homes on the other side of the river from Hendricks, which he named Brooklyn Heights. Gillespie also built a distillery and a saloon there, because alcohol sales in Hendricks were prohibited. The bridge was built near the area of the river known as “Green Hole”. It was called “Green Hole” because in July and August, the water would turn a bright blue-green color.

That bridge was replaced by a second stronger swinging bridge built in 1917, a little farther up the road, by Baxter Jennings Jordan and Willis J. Fansler. The concrete pillars from this bridge are located next to the Hendricks Swinging Bridge standing today. The second bridge had been broken down many times by falling trees, damaged by the tornado of June 1944, and high waters. It was repaired each time, using most of the same materials that were damaged. The bridge was destroyed beyond repair in the flood of 1985.

As you walk across the Hendricks Swinging Bridge today, taking each step, the wooden boards will creak. Take a few steps more, the bridge will sway a little. A light wind will blow and you can feel the bridge rock softly, back and forth. The flowing waters of the Dryfork and Blackwater Rivers pass underneath the bridge, combining nearby and turning into shallow rapids on their way to the Cheat River. 

The views from the swinging bridge are as “Almost Heaven West Virginia” as it can get! Majestic mountains and blue skies with trees and wildflowers all around. The beauty of the surrounding landscape reflects along the banks of the river. The relaxing sound of the flowing water adds to the picture perfect view! Drive on down to Parsons, WV, you will enjoy seeing the Hendricks Swinging Bridge and reflecting on memories of “olden days”.

Directions: Out of Parsons turn on Walnut St., then turn onto Central Avenue, and turn left at the 1st cross street onto Billings Avenue. Continue on Billings Avenue, and it turns into Brooklyn Heights Road. Go approximately 2.5 miles. The bridge will be on your left.