Ceresco Bridge

"12 Mile Road Bridge"

Ceresco Bridge

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: Fall 2005

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Facility Carried / Feature Intersected	Location	Structure Type	Construction Date / Builder or Contractor
Ceresco Bridge	12 Mile Road Over Kalamazoo River	Ceresco: Calhoun County, Michigan	Concrete Deck Arch, Stationary	1920 By: L. Smith, H. A. & M. C. Nichols

Technical Facts

Structure Length	Roadway Width	Bridge Width	Main Spans	Approach Spans
115 Feet (35 Meters)	20.7 Feet (6.3 Meters)	24.5 Feet (7.47 Meters)	2	None

This beautiful bridge complements its setting well. The Michigan State Highway Department designed this structure, and its trademark features can be seen in the inset rectangles on the bridge as well as the bronze plaques on the bridge. Decorative posts are also present on this bridge, which was built in 1920. It is listed as a State Reward Bridge Number 53.

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)

Information and Findings From MDOT

The 12 Mile Road Bridge is eligible for the National Register as a good example of a filled-spandrel concrete arch bridge with excellent historical integrity.

Calhoun County built the 12 Mile Road Bridge in 1920 as State Reward Bridge No. 53. Contractors for the project were L. Smith, H.A. Nichols, and M.C. Nichols, of Hastings, Michigan, who submitted a bid of $25,175 on 11 March of that year. The total project cost $35,070, of which the state paid half. The state highway department also supplied the plans for the structure, based on a standard design.

Visit MDOT's Historic Bridge Website

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Information and Findings From Michigan Historic Sites Online

Narrative Description:

The 12 Mile Road Bridge is located in the village of Ceresco. A dam is located to the east of the structure. The bridge displays solid concrete parapet railings with ten recesses each. A tapered projecting stringcourse trims the elliptical barrel vault. Concrete lamp posts, missing their fixtures, stand at the corners and in the middle of the railings. Bridge plates are attached at the northwest and southeast corners. main span number: 2 main span length: 57.5 structure length: 115.0 roadway width: 24.5 structure width: 20.7

Statement of Significance:

Calhoun County presumably built the 12 Mile Road Bridge in 1920 as State Reward Bridge No. 53. According to the bridge plates, contractors for the project were L. Smith, H. A. Nichols, and M. C. Nichols, of Hastings, Michigan. Archival research did not provide any additional information. The 12 Mile Road Bridge is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C as a good example of the filled-spandrel concrete arch bridge type with excellent historical integrity.

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