By 2005 its then-owner, Norfolk Southern, abandoned the corridor, subsequently giving 33 miles of the line to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

In the 1850s, the Southside Railroad built a rail line between Petersburg and Lynchburg, passing through Farmville between Burkeville and Pamplin City.

The route, subsidized by a contribution from Farmville, required an expensive crossing of the Appomattox River valley, at a site near property known as Overton farm.

The High Bridge played a key role during Confederate General Robert E. Lee's final retreat from Petersburg in the last days of the War.

A tragedy occurred on August 9, 1989, when nine young people strolling on the bridge were surprised by the sudden appearance of a train traveling west at 40 miles per hour.

In the aftermath, the Norfolk Southern Railroad agreed to install fences and more effective “posted” signs, and to require train crews to blow whistles when approaching High Bridge and a number of other trestles.

The Southside Railroad had originally envisioned using the low-grade route until persuaded by the citizens of Farmville, Virginia to bring the line through their town.