The first bridge in Daviess County was built by Adam Black in 1841, across the Big Muddy, on the road leading from Diamond to Chillicothe. This was then, perhaps, the main thoroughfare of the county and the bridge was of great utility but by 1876 it had utterly passed away and the road greatly changed, partly closed up and but little used.

Maj. Mann built the next two bridges; one in 1844, across the Muddy on the road leading from Gallatin to Chillicothe, and the other in 1847, across Honey Creek on the Hamilton road. Both these bridges were insured for three years, and both floated off within that time, one with Matthew R. Mann upon it, who subsequently claimed that he was once a Captain of a river craft. The bridges were brought back and replaced, but the one of Honey Creek again floated off again and was lost.

In May 1851, Andrew Shriver had a bridge nearly completed across Grand River, when it was washed away by the flood of that year and became a total loss. It stood near the site of the present Gallatin bridge. Two years after this failure, another bridge was built by J.B. Heaton, about one mile further down the river, at what was then known as Atkinson ford. It was heavy, clumsy structure, roofed over and boarded at the sides. It was never crossed but by a few persons, always being weak, and within one month fell of its own weight.

In 1858, Lem Nelson built a bridge across Honey Cree near the one built by Maj. Mann. This bridge was insured for two years, and toward the close of that term, it had an evident intention to go down stream; Lem was equal to the occasion and cabled his bridge to a big tree on the shore above, til the time expired then he drew his pay, withdrew his cable and was happy, although the bridge departed.

Source: 1876 Edwards Bros Daviess County Plat Book