Thursday, June 6, 2019

NORRIS FORD COVERED BRIDGE - RUSHVILLE, INDIANA













                                                                                                   FLATROCK RIVER
                                                                                                      RUSH COUNTY
                                                                                                         BUILT -  1916

Length - 154'.... Approx. 3 miles NE from Rushville, Indiana St. Rt.-3, 2.5 miles north to R. E. 300 N, approx. 1.8 miles to bridge. Built by Emmett L. Kennedy and his sons, Karl and Charles. This is the next to last bridge constructed by the Kennedy family. It does not feature their usual trademark scrolls and brackets found on their earlier bridges. Apparently the Victorian styling was considered out of vogue by the early 20th century. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 2, 1983, as part of a multiple property submission covering six bridges built by the Kennedy family firm. Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Covered Burr Arch Through Truss
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 14-70-08

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

ADA/BRADFIELD COVERED BRIDGE - ADA, MICHIGAN













                                                                                                    THORNAPPLE RIVER
                                                                                                          KENT COUNTY
                                                                                                             BUILT - 1867

Length - 125'....In town park S. edge of Ada. Bridge was constructed by William Holmes for a sum of  $3000.  Partial restoration work was carried out in 1913 to modify the trusses, and replace the timber abutments with reinforced concrete. The bridge was part of an important artery to the village of Ada until 1930, when the main highway was rerouted and a concrete bridge built further down the Thornapple River. At that time the bridge was closed to automobile traffic, reverting to pedestrian use only. The original bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Unfortunately due to heavy snow damage and then major destruction due to arson, bridge was basically rebuilt using original designs in 1980. Closed to through traffic. Truss Type - Brown Truss System..    
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 22-41-01 #2                       

Saturday, June 1, 2019

FALLASBURG COVERED BRIDGE - LOWELL, MICHIGAN











                                                                                                  FLAT RIVER
                                                                                               KENT COUNTY
                                                                                                 BUILT - 1871

Length - 100'... North of Lowell, Hudson Ave. (changes to Lincoln Lake Ave.) N. 3.2 miles from jct with MI21 in Lowell, E. on Fallasburg Park Dr. NE .075 miles, continue E. on Covered Bridge Rd. .0.8 miles to the bridge. Bridge was built by Jared N. Bresee of Ada, Michigan at a cost of $1500. The bridge has had repairs and strengthenings over the years, including replacement of the original abutments with concrete in 1905, and two other extensive repair sessions in 1945 and 1994. Because the various repairs and restorations were completed with "conscientious attention to detail", it is believed that the bridge has retained historic integrity and character. It was posted on the National Register of Historic Places on March 16, 1972. Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Brown Truss System (a through truss consisting of a diagonal compression beams and almost vertical tension members. Patented by Josiah Brown of Buffalo, New York in 1857).
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 22-41-02

LANGLEY COVERED BRIDGE - CENTREVILLE, MICHIGAN













                                                                                                   ST. JOSEPH RIVER
                                                                                                 ST. JOSEPH COUNTY
                                                                                                        BUILT - 1887

Length - 282'.... North of Centreville on Covered Bridge Rd. (CR133) 3.0 miles from jct. with MI86 in Centreville to the bridge. Langley Covered Bridge is the longest remaining covered bridge in Michigan. The bridge was constructed by nearby Parkville builder Pierce Bodmer at a cost of about $3000. The bridge is named for Thomas W. Langley and family, pioneers who helped establish the village of Centreville in the mid-19th century. In fact, Langley was the very first settler in Centreville. In the 1940s with the increase in motor vehicle traffic the weight and vibration started to cause damage to the bridge and abutments. In 1950, the Elkhart Bridge and Iron Works were awarded the contract to fix the bridge with a new under structure at a cost of $35,885. All the load carrying elements of the bridge were changed from wood to steel and concrete. The flooring was replaced by two by fours. Then again in 2008-2009 the Anlaan Corporation performed more restoration work, at a cost of almost $1 million. Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Open to through traffic. Truss Type - Three Spans of Howe Truss.
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 22-75-01

NORTH MANCHESTER COVERED BRIDGE - NORTH MANCHESTER, INDIANA









                                                                                                        EEL RIVER
                                                                                                 WABASH COUNTY
                                                                                                        BUILT - 1872

Length - 150'.... Sits just south of town on Singer Rd. Built by the Smith Bridge Company out of Toledo, Ohio, for $3515. Rehabilitated in 1971 and 2013. It was posted on the National Register of Historic Places on September 30, 1982. Truss Type - Covered Smith Type 4 Through Truss.
World Guide to Covered Bridge Number - 14-85-02