Clarkton Bridge
Also known as: 019-0086
Why it's listed
Spanning the Staunton River between Charlotte and Halifax Counties, this 692-foot steel bridge carried Route 620 traffic from 1902 until its closure in 1998. It has two 150-foot pin-connected Camelback through trusses, a variation of the Parker truss, plus twelve steel deck approach spans. The trusses rest on two piers made of riveted steel cylinders, one in the middle of the river and one on the bank. County officials and the Norfolk and Western Railway funded the structure, and the Virginia Bridge & Iron Company of Roanoke built it. A flood damaged the first construction in 1901-1902, and the rebuilt bridge passed a load test before acceptance. Later work included floor repairs in 1940 and a 2005 rehabilitation for pedestrian use. It was listed because it is the only surviving metal truss highway bridge in Virginia supported by steel cylinder piers, a common practice around 1900, and it retains its original engineering character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the bridge embodies late 19th and early 20th-century bridge engineering under Criterion C. Its polygonal-chord Parker/Camelback truss shows efficient use of steel for long spans. It is described as the only remaining metal truss highway structure in Virginia supported by steel cylinder piers.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06000747, listed January 26, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 620 over the Staunton R, Nathalie |
|---|---|
| County | Charlotte County |
| Listed | January 26, 2007 |
| Reference number | 06000747 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1902-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Virginia Bridge & Iron Company, Roanoke, Virginia |
| Architectural style | Other: Pratt through truss |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Closed to vehicles in 1998 due to deterioration; rehabilitated in 2005 for non-vehicular use with deck repairs, pier reinforcement and a pedestrian railing. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 36.98056, -78.89261 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 06000747.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712179
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.