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Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Beardsley Avenue Bridge | Beardsley Avenue Over Osolo Township Ditch | Elkhart: St. Joseph County, Indiana | Concrete Slab, Stationary | 1926 By: Elkhart Bridge and Iron Company of Elkhart, Indiana |
This bridge is the perfect example of what makes historic bridges so worthwhile. This is a bridge that if rebuilt today would hardly be a culvert, the crossing is so small and short. Yet, back in 1926, builder saw fit to not only go through the trouble to build a bridge, they added such decorative elements as balustrade railings and even a full-size bridge plaque! If it were not for these embellishments it is likely that people would not even realize they were crossing a tiny ditch. Historic bridges were built in a time where more attention was given to detail and beauty. Historic bridges not bring attention to their own existence more than a modern bridge, they also bring more attention to the river, creek, or ditch that they cross. Thus, the crossing becomes a point of interest that might otherwise never be noticed.
This bridge is also significant for its association with a local bridge company that was noted for building truss bridges as well.
