04/28/2026
In Pikeville, Kentucky the Pauley Bridge is a peaceful and historic footbridge that gives you a chance to slow down and take in the view as you cross over the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. This wooden span stretches roughly 390 feet and stands out for its sturdy sandstone towers, each marked “W.P.A.” and “1936,” a nod to the Works Progress Administration project that brought it to life. Construction started in 1936 and wrapped up in 1940, and it remains the only known WPA bridge built using sandstone.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, the bridge once carried vehicles before closing to traffic in 2000. Locals long referred to it as the “bridge to nowhere,” but today it leads to quiet river views and some of the best photo spots in town, especially when the water drifts slowly below. Another interesting detail is that the bridge was built during the Great Depression to provide jobs in the region, and its simple design has helped it stand strong for decades with only light restoration work over the years.
