FARMVILLE – In commemoration of Black History month, High Bridge Trail State Park is sharing this new acquisition to its collection of Willis Vail photographs.

And the park is asking for help in identifying the full name of the man in this historic photograph.

This view, taken during construction of the steel viaduct in 1913-14, is from glass negative #1794 taken on April 10, 1914 and inscribed on the paper sleeve “Uncle John” the bridge watchman on duty at High Bridge.

That is the only clue to the man's identity.

The picture was recently sent electronically as a digital image by Jim Gill of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The original negative is in the possession of a collector in California who shared it with Gill, who was then kind enough to send it to the Park's Education Specialist, Bob Flippen, for inclusion in the Park's collection.

Upon close examination, Flippen noted, one can see the pocket watch in his top pocket, a cord leading out to a makeshift fob at the top flap of his overalls, the weave of his sweater, the holes in his knees and felt hat, even the wrinkles of skin in his weathered hands. Just below his right hand on hip is a light area that represents the fill dirt for the abutment on the east end of the bridge.

The Park requests citizen input to help determine John's full identity and any biographical information in an attempt to preserve his association with the construction of High Bridge. If you have any information call the Park office at 434-315-0457 or email Bob Flippen at svhp@kinex.net.