Building a Bridge

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So you're frustrated with all the extra traffic caused by the currently closed bridge on Bell's Mill Road. It's the same frustration we all feel each time a roadway is partially or completely closed for repairs; and like all those times, this too shall pass. And won't we all be pleased when it does!

For those who are curious about the current progress, I’ve included here a photo taken on January 20, taken from the west side. As you can see, progress is being made.

But just imagine never having had a bridge at all over a stream that runs too deep to ford six months out of the year. This was the case in 1907 as described in The Bullitt News in February of that year (shown here).

Folks living east of the Fork had little choice but to venture eastward to the Shepherdsville-Mt. Washington Road (Highway 44 today), and then westward to Shepherdsville to reach the train depot for trips to Louisville; when with a bridge over Floyd's Fork at Bell's Mill would provide a much shorter journey to the depot at Huber's Station or Brooks Station.

This was particularly true for farmers needing to get wagonloads of produce, tobacco, or other farm products to markets.

So folks got together and presented a petition to Fiscal Court asking for a bridge. The magistrates said they needed to first check and see if they had the money to build it. The paper remarked that "It is the opinion of many that a bridge will be built soon."

But "soon" is a relative term. It never seems to come as quickly as we wish when there is something we want and expect "soon."

It appears that no positive action had been taken "soon" and in May the newspaper remarked, "The people who live in the vicinity of Bell's Mill want a bridge across Floyd's Fork at that place, and are entitled to it. They have not been treated fairly in the matter. A bridge at that place will be a convenience to hundreds of people who have to cross there or go miles out of the way."

The paper's editor declared that the paper was for these folks and "will use its utmost efforts to help them secure the bridge. They deserve it and should have it or find out why."

Not much else was printed about this until in June 1908 the Pleasant Grove correspondent wrote that "surveyors were out one day last week at Bell's Mill prospecting for a bridge across Floyd's Fork at that point."

She went on to complain, "It is very much needed, for in the winter time it is very near past fording at all times. It is a deep ford for low vehicles in summer when waters are low. We hope the bridge will be built some time soon."

Willard Bell operated the sawmill at Bell's Mill until at least 1909. In February of that year heavy rains brought flooding to Salt River and its tributaries. Floyd's Fork was backed up, flooding the mill site. According to the local newspaper, "Willard Bell had nearly all the lumber washed away from his saw mill, entailing a heavy loss to himself and others."

A bridge would not have prevented that disaster, but still "soon" didn't seem to come. In February 1910, the same correspondent wrote, "Not very much crossing Floyd's Fork at Bell's Mill. High waters have come and no bridge."

A year later she wrote, "Has the bridge at Bell's Mill passed off of the stage of action? We need it. Farmers are now hauling their tobacco away and must go by Mt. Washington or Shepherdsville to get their crops to the city, several miles out of the way, and most all loaded wagons must make their journey one way or the other. If any people need a favor, it's the farmers here in this locality."

Then in April 1911, two months later, J. W. Barrall, the newspaper's editor, reported "The Fiscal Court set June 1st as the time to look at the Bell's Mill ford where a bridge is so badly needed."

Alas, summer came and went, with no bridge.

Then, at the January 1912 Fiscal Court meeting, the court approved the building of a bridge across Brook's Run on the Louisville Pike four miles north of Shepherdsville, but failed to move forward on the Bell's Mill bridge.

According to the newspaper, "A pretty warm debate was had over the proposition to build a bridge across Floyd's Fork at the old Bell's Mill site. The proposition to build this year was voted down, but the sum of $1,298 to be used for that purpose was appropriated to be paid out of county receipts in spring and summer of 1913."

At last it seemed that a bridge might be built, even if they did have to wait another year.

Finally, in June 1913 The Courier-Journal, in a list of bridge plans presented by the State Department of Public Roads, we find the following: "Bullitt County - Bell's Mill bridge, three spans, one 150 feet, two 75 feet; 12 foot roadway."

It had taken six years from that first petition in 1907 to these plans, but at last a bridge would be built; the first, but not the last bridge to span this stream.

And now we return to today with a bridge that must be replaced for it has become too dangerous to remain. Like so many of you, I am inconvenienced by the closed roadway, and look forward to summer when it will once again be open; but for now, as you travel through the crowded town and Highway 44, be patient and be thankful you don't have to wait six years for a new bridge to open!

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Copyright 2026 by Charles Hartley, Shepherdsville KY. All rights are reserved. No part of the content of this page may be included in any format in any place without the written permission of the copyright holder.

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