Westham Bridge

Westham Bridge was a road bridge that crossed the James River between Henrico County and Chesterfield County, connecting communities on both sides. The structure was designed with provisions for a streetcar line to Bon Air, though this rail system never progressed beyond the planning stage.

Construction began in 1911, and the structure operated as a toll facility managed by the Southampton Bridge Corporation. The facility closed in 1950 and was eventually replaced by another river crossing downstream.

The bridge took its name from the nearby Westham Station of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, a connection that shaped local identity. The naming reflects how transportation hubs influenced community geography and landmarks in this region.

The site is accessible on foot from nearby parking areas along the riverbank, which provide direct access to the remaining structures. The original abutment remnants are visible from both banks and easy to spot without special equipment.

The Huguenot Memorial Bridge, completed in 1957, took over the crossing role from the earlier structure at a different location downstream. Visitors can stand on the abutments of the original and see the successor bridge nearby, showing how transportation infrastructure evolved in the same river corridor.

Location: Virginia

Official opening: 1911

GPS coordinates: 37.56170,-77.54670

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:41