-The Town-"
As you can see by the bridge picture below, we have been to Smallhous and took in the grand tour. This is a good time of the year for such events, as snakes and bugs are not out and the weather is comfortable.
I don't know much about Smallhous, but if you have the time and the patience, I will tell you what I know. If not that, then I may interject some ideas and thoughts and thus, it will be your duty to catch me in any information that is not factual. For starters, Smallhous is the correct spelling of this unincorporated community in Ohio County, Kentucky. The alternate way of spelling this community of Smallhouse is accepted. Thus, in this series, you may find me using Smallhouse instead of the correct spelling of Smallhous.
In the early twentieth century, a small town by the name of Smallhous existed. It was located on a Railroad Line and on the Green River. A small railroad depot was situated a few hundred feet from the river and a nearby water tank was available to supply the railroad steam engines with water. The depot agent was also responsible for the operation of a "Swing" or "Turn" bridge that spanned Green River. A small community nearby consisted of several houses, a few mills, other business, and a ferry, as well as the railroad "Swing Bridge". Smallhous was just a small River Town as well as a small Railroad Town. In the late nineteenth century, this small town was growing and thriving, but started to decline in the early part of the twentieth century.
Smallhous is situated in Ohio County, Kentucky, on the Green River, about twelve miles from Hartford, the county seat. I should say was situated, as "Father Time" has not been kind to this once community. At one time there were mills, a ferry, and other businesses, as well as a few houses in this old river town. To find this almost forgotten town, take highway 69 West, out of Hartford and continue through Centertown. Continue through Equality on Highway 69 and the road will fork. Take the right fork To Smallhous while Highway 69 continues on to the Green River. I have not been to Smallhous in several years, thus not sure if this right fork will continue to the Green River and if it does, the road will end at the Smallhous Swing Bridge. A nice view of the river will be worth the trip. If the old road ends or you have gone as far as you can, a short walk may be necessary to actually view the river and the old bridge. If walking, just stay on the old railroad bed and continue West. Good Viewing and Good Luck.
The original railroad was the LH&S and it ran from Henderson, Ky to St. Louis, Missouri with a side track from the main line to the coal fields of Western Kentucky. This side track ran through Centertown, Smallhous and to Central City. The LH&S, or Lousiville, Henderson, and St. Louis, Railroad Line was purchased by the L&N or the old Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1909. This line crossed the Green River at Smallhous. Railroad river crossing was by a "Swing" or a "Turn" railroad bridge. This bridge was situated on a middle pier with equal span lengths that extended from the pier. This movable extension connecteed each side of the bridge to the stationery railroad when a train needed to cross. If in an idle or a normal stage the bridge was swung or turned and positioned parallel to the flow of the river so not to obstruct river boat traffic.
The small town of Smallhous has seen better days and the town is gone. A lone Church, near the old town of Smallhous, is still an active Church, thus keeping the memory of Smalhous alive. For the most part, the railroad is gone and the rails and any serviceable part of the railroad system have been salvaged leaving the railroad bed. The swing bridge is locked in position, parallel to the river, and the connecting rails have been destroyed, mostly by vandals. The depot, water tank, and anything pertaining to a bridge operation are gone leaving only building bases and foundation. The bridge sits in the middle of the river on a middle pier and is mostly protected by vandals by the Green River. Of course time and the elements will eventually take the bridge. Another historic relic in the area gone or nearly gone, not to be replaced or restored. Such a shame.
Again, thanks for looking and coming back to this Rockport, KY web site.
jerry
