Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere Menu:
WatermarkHistoric Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere

Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere offers photos, information, and maps for historic bridges. While various structure types are represented, emphasis is placed on metal truss bridges. Geographic coverage extends well beyond Michigan, including Ontario, Pennsylvania and many other places. From rural concrete bridges in Michigan, to the movable truss bridges of downtown Chicago, this photo-oriented website is also a resource for information, while at the same time discussing the risk of demolition that many of these bridges face, as well as political problems that arise regarding historic bridges.
Click Here For The Latest Website Update (10-19-08)
Divider

Site interface, content, and photos created and managed by Nathan Holth. Field Team: Nathan Holth, Rick McOmber and Luke Gordon.

Divider

Bridge Spotlight:

 Michigan Avenue Bridge

 The Michigan Avenue Bridge in Chicago, Illinois is perhaps the most well-known bridge in the city because of its location on what is today the "main street" in Chicago. The number of people crossing this trunnion bascule bridge every minute on a typical summer weekend afternoon or evening is incredible. Historically, the bridge is significant for its ornate, decorative bridge-tender towers, double-deck design. In addition, the bridge is designed such that it is actually two separate bridges side-by-side. Recently, a museum dedicated to the Chicago River and the Michigan Avenue bascule bridge opened in the southwest bridge-tender tower. Admission to the small museum is very inexpensive, only three dollars. Of interest to bridge enthusiasts is a few relics from the original electrical equipment from the bridge. The main feature however is a viewing area in the basement that allows visitors to view the motors, gears, brakes, trunnion, and counterweight that allow the bridge to raise up. Information on the museum is available here.

Click here to visit the page for the Michigan Avenue Bridge.

 View Previous Bridge Spotlights 

 Historic Bridges of Michigan and Elsewhere Features

Divider

Interactive Map of Available States and Provinces
 Bridge BrowserFeaturing historic bridge photos, maps and information, the Bridge Browser is the main feature on this website. Maps, photos, and a discussion are available for every bridge. Numerous 640x480 photos detail each bridge's construction. Full-size wallpaper photos for greater detail or use as a desktop background are also provided.

The map shown here is an interactive clickable map that allows you to access the bridges on this website. Places listed in blue text have bridges available. A larger map is available here.

BridgeSeek Search: Click Here To BeginBridgeSeek, an advanced search tool, is also available as an alternative way to locate bridges on this website.

Divider
An Introduction to Historic Bridges
An Introduction to Historic Truss Bridges An informative presentation designed to introduce viewers to the world of historic bridges. An emphasis is placed on metal truss bridges. Utilizing photos and diagrams, the various terminology, construction, and configuration of historic bridges is discussed. This page also features some formal, yet easy-to-read, essays that further explore the historic bridge world. 
Divider
Historic Bridges Encyclopedia
Historic Bridges Encyclopedia This feature contains articles relating to historic bridges, as well as information about entire categories of historic bridges. This section also includes some non-bridge related photos. Some of the major features include: 
- An all-in-one collection of some of the best bridge photos available in wallpaper size.
- A look at historic metal water towers, which share a lot of design characteristics with truss bridges.
- A collection of interesting photos of the natural world.
- An in-depth look at curved chord through girder bridges.
Divider
Historic Bridge Park: A Visitor's Guide
Historic Bridge Park: A Visitor's Guide A comprehensive visitor's guide to this unique park located in Calhoun County, Michigan whose focus is the restored metal truss bridges within the park. Contains maps, photos, and links to bridge browser pages for the historic bridges within the park.
Divider
Turning the Tide - A Campaign For Change: A Future For Historic Bridges
Turning The Tide Your help is needed! Help an important piece of historic bridge legislation revised and passed in 2007 to increase historic bridge preservation: A guide to write letters to U.S. government officials and legislators. These proposed changes did not pass in 2006 because the government felt that not enough citizens had spoken up in favor of historic bridges. Help change that for 2007!
Divider
Michigan Historic Bridge Inventory: Metal Truss Bridges
Michigan Historic Bridge Inventory: Metal Truss Bridges  This is an informational table that lists nearly every truss bridge in Michigan as of 1995. The purpose of this is to allow people to find and visit truss bridges that may not be included in the Bridge Browser yet. Visitors can findings and submit photos. 
Divider
Links to Related Websites
Links to Related Websites Features a collection of external links to other bridge websites on the Internet. Many other bridge enthusiast websites feature bridges from areas not covered by this website, and links to those websites can be found here.
Divider

Divider

Active Bridge Preservation Projects

Dorrington Road Bridge

Balls Bridge

East Delhi Road Bridge

Schell Bridge

Quaker Bridge

Winneshiek County Awareness Campaign

Last Website Update: 10-19-08. Updates and Historic Bridge News:

October 19, 2008 - Bridge Spotlight and Update Status

I updated the bridge spotlight. I selected the Michigan Avenue Bridge because I recently had the opportunity to visit the new museum that was opened in the tower of the bridge, and enjoyed the centerpiece of the museum, which is a viewing area under the bridge which allows you to see the mechanics of the bridge.

I have been very busy with non-bridge commitments lately, and expect that there will be less updates to this website for the next few months. Please do continue to email me, but be aware there may be a delay in my response.

Divider

Bridge Browser

Below is an interactive clickable map that allows you to access the bridges on this website. Clicking on a state whose name is in blue letters will take you to the county list for that state or province. A clickable text list is available to the right of the map. Below the map a link is available to a text-only list of every county covered on this website.

A text-only browsing option is available here. BridgeSeek, an advanced search tool is also available.

Interactive Map of Available States and Provinces Michigan
Ontario
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Ohio
New York
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin

DividerAboutContact

Footer