Point Pleasant Kanauga Railroad Bridge

The Point Pleasant Kanauga Railroad Bridge spans the Ohio River, connecting Point Pleasant, West Virginia with the unincorporated community Kanauga, Ohio.

At 3,925 feet, it was one of the longest bridges of its kind when it was first constructed in the late nineteenth century. If I understand correctly, this is the second bridge in this spot. It’s a sight to behold.

There’s a river walk that goes right under the bridge so I was able to get a good look at it Saturday. I bet the riverwalk provides an incredible view of trains traveling through.

Incidentally, this bridge played an important role following the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967. This catastrophic accident left the river full of cars and debris, claiming the lives of 46 people. The K&M Railroad provided passenger rail service across this bridge for an affordable fee. This service was discontinued when the new Silver Memorial Bridge opened in 1969.

Here’s one more view.

American Legion Murals

These patriotic murals inside the Point Pleasant, West Virginia flood wall are even more stunning in real life than pictured here.

Notice the ghostly humans here.

And the striking colors on this one!

They were completed in 2020 by someone named B. Rollins and are simply beautiful. They are right outside the American Legion and impossible to miss if you visit downtown Point Pleasant.

Stop and admire them if you’re ever in town.

A Walk Through Point Pleasant

Yesterday was magnificent. The weather was as perfect as we could expect for February and the open road called my name. Truthfully, I didn’t go far but the day confirmed my belief that the best things are often in your own backyard.

First up was a leisurely drive to Gallipolis for lunch at China One Buffet. Then it was time to ditch the car and walk off lunch just across the river in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Their downtown district is mostly along a street that parallels the river. There are some local interest museums, a few shops and restaurants, local services, a magnificent post office and a historic hotel.

Point Pleasant is a destination for many seeking the Mothman, a giant in West Virginia folklore. There’s a popular museum, a statue and even a festival dedicated in his honor. The Mothman is in the ranks of Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster but many people take the story seriously while others just enjoy the intrigue.

I’ve shown you some other Point Pleasant landmarks before including the old State Theater.

This advertising mural has appeared here as well.

I also strolled the riverwalk, enjoying the flood wall murals and bridges.

This bridge is eye catching.

I’ll share more pictures and tell you a couple of interesting stories about the history of this area soon.

I ended the day at the Markay in Jackson, where my boss was in a play put on by the local community theater company.

It was a good day and made me crave more like it. I’m dying for a real road trip – the kind where I head somewhere new just to see what’s what along the way.

To say I have been struggling for the last couple of years is an understatement. I haven’t been myself and am beyond sick of dealing with it but yesterday was a lovely reminder of how life used to be. I am grateful for the opportunity and hopeful there will be more soon.

Red Doors

There’s just something about heavy wooden doors on a church or red doors on any building to draw me in. These doors are attached to the Christ Episcopal Church in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

This imposing limestone building is larger than life and even more beautiful in person. The Gothic Revival design does sort of resemble a fortress but I like to think that’s to keep the devil out.

The congregation was founded in 1867 and the original brick church built two years later. The town sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers so it has seen some pretty bad floods and the original church suffered for it.

That first building was demolished in 1919. The congregation held services in a hotel down the street until this new house of worship was available for its first service on Christmas Day 1923.

As far as the red doors are concerned, there is some symbolism to be considered. Many churches use red doors to symbolize the blood of Christ while some people believe that a red door protects occupants from evil.

I once read that church doors were painted red in England during the Middle Ages to signify safety as no one would commit a crime or do harm on Holy Ground. I’m not sure that’s true today but it’s a nice idea.

Whatever the reason or the symbolism, they sure do make for a pretty picture and something special to see on your journeys.

Coca Cola Beauty

It’s a fabulous Coca Cola advertisement hanging out atop a building in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

The local paper confirmed with a Coca Cola archivist that it was painted in the thirties when a local bottling company was gaining momentum. I would encourage you to read the story as it is quite informative and also talks about the Mail Pouch ad I showed you earlier this week.

Whenever I see this type of advertising – no matter how old and faded – I will always stop. I will make time, go around the block, brave the rain or whatever else is going on for a closer look. These remnants of another time, another means of advertising didn’t survive the decades to be ignored and I will gladly pay attention.

The State Theater

The State Theater has been quiet for a few years now but continues to stand sentinel over Point Pleasant, West Virginia’s historic downtown.

The sign says it has sold and I noticed the realtor had promoted it as a historic site, ripe for preservation. I hope the new owners do something amazing with it.

Built in the forties, this Art Moderne theater still has its fabulous marquee, box office and absolutely gorgeous front doors. What I wouldn’t give to see inside since the exterior is so fantastic.

Here’s hoping the new owners light that sign again and invite the community back for a slice of culture and entertainment.