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Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Columbia Drain Private Bridge | Private Trail Over Columbia Drain | Rural: Huron County, Michigan | Metal Pinned Pratt Half-Hip Pratt Pony Truss, Stationary | 0 By: Massillon Bridge Company of Massillon, Ohio, Smith - Wynkoop and McGormley Agents |
Since the national bridge inventory does not list private bridges, finding bridges like this one can only be done by talking to locals or simply exploring random roads. This bridge was found by simply exploring. Large drains coupled with extensive farmland, which would have needed access for tractors across the drains, resulted in the construction of a number of private bridges in the county. This is one of the more impressive structures, as a medium-length pony truss. The bridge is a three panel structure. Half of the wooden deck is gone. The bridge sits on concrete abutments. The steel on the bridge is in decent condition. Original lattice railings remain on the bridge. There is v-lacing on the verticals. Historically, the bridge is significant as a good representative of a once-common structure type that is today rare in Michigan. It is also significant as an example of how farmers accessed their fields in the early 20th century. Farming, like the bridge, has changed a lot since the construction of this bridge. Even if this bridge were maintained and restored, it is unlikely it would be able to carry the large machinery of modern farming.
