Bridges Archives - Lost In Michigan

The Concrete Bridges of McCourtie Park

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges, Parks .

On US-12 in the town of Somerset Center is McCourtie Park. The park has some wonderful concrete bridges that span a little creek which flows through the park. A Historical marker tells the stories of these bridges and the park:

Somerset Center native W. H. L. McCourtie (1872 – 1933) was introduced to the cement industry by W. F. Cowham of Jackson in 1897. McCourtie soon went to Dallas, Texas, where he made a fortune speculating in oil and established the Trinity Portland Cement Company. During the 1920s McCourtie returned to Somerset Center. In 1924 he acquired his family’s home and turned it into a community showplace. McCourtie sought to create a model town. He gave free white paint to any home owner that needed it. He also hosted the community’s annual homecoming celebration. Thousands of people came to “Aiden Lair” to witness stunt flyers and enjoy baseball, local musicians, dancing and unlimited refreshments. At the height of the Great Depression, McCourtie offered his estate as a place “Where Friends Meet Friends and Part More Friendly.”

The W. H. L. McCourtie Estate may contain the country’s largest collection of el trabeio rustico, the Mexican folk tradition of sculpting concrete to look like wood. Around 1930, most likely inspired by work he had seen in Texas, cement tycoon W. H. L. McCourtie hired itinerant Mexican artisans George Cardoso and Ralph Corona to construct seventeen bridges on his property. The artisans formed the bridges with steel rods and then hand sculpted wet concrete to resemble planed lumber, rough logs, thatch, and rope. Different species of trees can be identified. Two concrete trees that stand on the property continue to serve as chimneys for the underground rathskellar and garage. The McCourtie estate is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

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Holz-Brücke

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges .

Next to the Bavarian Inn located in Frankenmuth is the Holz-Brücke. German for “wooden Bridge” it crosses the Cass River. Built in 1980 it is not as old as many other covered bridges but being over 40 years old you could probably say it is historic. I remember driving over it with my grandparents when I was a kid shortly after it was constructed. If I remember correctly, back then you had to purchase a token from the Bavarian Inn to cross over it. Now it is open to any vehicle and leads to the parking lot of the Bavarian Inn Lodge and a thrill to drive across.

P.S. This weekend is Snowfest in Frankenmuth. If you are going to be there, be sure to stop at Charlin’s Book Nook in the River Place Shops and say Hello. They carry all of my Lost In Michigan books.

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Little Mac Foot Bridge

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in autumn, Bridges .

The Little Mac Foot Bridge crosses the Manistee River near the Hodenpyl Dam a few miles from Mesick. The wooden suspension bridge is 245 feet long. It is on the Manistee River Trail which is also part of the 4600 mile North Country Trail from Vermont to North Dakota. You don’t have to hike halfway across the country to visit this bridge, a parking area is on the west side of the river near the bridge. You can access it with your vehicle from Hodenpyl Dam road.

P.S. On the east side of the river along the Manistee River Trail is a little known small waterfall. You can read about it in my post HERE

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The Mini Mac

Posted on September 24, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges .

In the central Michigan town of St. Louis is a bridge affectionately known as the Mini Mac Bridge. It is off M-46 at the Mini Mac Mini Storage facility. I have driven through St Louis many times and I never knew this little bridge was there. You can’t see it from M-46 and I did not know about it until recently. It was built in 1992 by the storage facility’s original owner. During the summer months it is open for people to walk across it. The replica bridge is amazing in its construction with grates in the center and lights on the towers. It is located between US-127 and St. Louis and a neat little bridge to see if you are in the area.

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The Keystone Bridge

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges, upper peninsula .

The small town of Ramsay sits a few miles east of Bessemer. One of Michigan’s largest and oldest stone bridges can be found there. The keystones at the peak of the arch stand 57 feet above the Black River. The bridge was constructed in 1891 by Chicago and Northwest Railroad at a cost of $48,322. The tracks above it are gone and it has been a long time since any trains traveled over the bridge but it still looks as good as the day it was first constructed.

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The Memorial at the Bridge

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges, people .

When I am traveling along US-2 heading west from St. Ignace I like to stop at the Cut River Bridge for a break and stretch my legs. Between the bridge and the parking lot is a plaque in honor of Heath Michael Robinson.

The plaque reads:

Senior Chief Special Operator Heath Michael Robinson was born June 5, 1977 in Alma, Michigan. He later graduated from Petoskey High School in June 1995. In June 1993, after the downing of a Black Hawk helicopter in Mogadishu Somalia Heath was inspired to become a Navy SEAL. Immediately following high school in January 1996 he enlisted in the United States Navy.

Senior Chief Robinson reported to Naval Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois on January 24,1996. On March 29, 1996 he completed Basic Training and reported to A School at Dam Neck for four months. On July 19, 1996 he entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL BUD/S training in Coronado, CA. He was unable to complete due to unfortunate circumstances. After a two-year tour in Okinawa, Japan he return to Coronado and entered BUD/S Class 226. After six months of the most grueling and demanding training in the military, he graduated then reported to Basic Airborne School in Ft. Benning, GA.

He was assigned to SEAL Team Three from March 6, 2000 to April 12, 2002. After completing one tour, he transferred to SEAL Team Seven from April 12, 2002 to April 2, 2004. Senior Chief Robinson began a rigorous selection and training course with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG). Nine months after beginning the training process, Senior Chief Robinson was selected to be a NSWDG operator and reported to Tactical Developments and Evaluation Squadron (TACDEVRON) Three where he completed numerous deployments.

Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Heath Robinson was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards including four Bronze Star Medals, three with ‘V’ for valor; Joint Service Commendation Medal; three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two with ‘V’ for valor; Joint Service Achievement Medal; three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; Combat Action Ribbon; two Presidential Unit Citations; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; five Navy Good Conduct Medals; Navy Fleet Marine Force Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; two Afghanistan Campaign Medals; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; six Sea Service Deployment Ribbons; NATO Medal; Navy Expert Rifleman Medal and Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

Heath was a member of Extortion 17. On August 06, 2011, thirty-one Operators were lost, the single largest loss of life to Naval Special Forces.

Senior Chief Heath Robinson is survived by his wife, a beautiful daughter (his princess), his loving parents and brothers, teammates, family and friends. He is laid to rest in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery. – Submitted by his family

“Long Live the Brotherhood”

After reading the plaque I will think of Senior Chief Robinson and the sacrifice he and his family has made every time I cross over the Cut River Bridge.

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Seven Bridges

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges, Nature .

Seven Bridges Nature Area is located between Kalkaska and Rapid City. Its hiking paths and bridges meander across streams and creeks in a lush green forest. The times I have visited there are few people in this little piece of wilderness. It seems like a hidden gem that I think few people know about. If you are looking for someplace to connect with nature be sure to check out the Seven Bridges Nature Area on Valley Road.

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Pigeon River Foot Bridge

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges, Nature .

This foot bridge crosses over the Pigeon River in the Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve near Indian River. The preserve has five miles of hiking trails that wind their way along the river. It is also home to the Nature Megaphone that you can read about in my post HERE

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The Old Stone Bridge

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges .

I saw this old stone bridge crossing the Bean Creek in the southern Michigan town of Hudson. I knew it was historically significant with the historical marker next to it. The marker reads:

The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway organized on May 27, 1869. The railroad’s main line linked Buffalo, New York, with Chicago. The railroad played a vital role in transporting not only passengers, but also the materials that fed the nation’s burgeoning industries. Between 1873 and 1898, the L.S. & M.S. handled over 6 million tons of coal and 15 million tons of ore. The railway merged with the New York Central in 1914.

The bridge, built in 1871-72 of sandstone from Berea, Ohio, crosses Bean Creek on the main line of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway. The span of the arch measures 60 feet. By 1892, of 223 bridges over 1413 miles of track along the line, only 22 were built of stone. Stone arch bridges are rare in Michigan. This bridge and one near Adrian are the state’s oldest examples. The bridge was removed from rail service in 1962.

P.S. Just to let you know Zazzle.com has Lost In Michigan calendars 50% off. you can find them by clicking HERE

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Michigan’s Underwater Bridge

Posted on August 5, 2021 by Mike Sonnenberg Posted in Bridges, upper peninsula .

Most bridges that cross over a river are above the river. This bridge just north of Manistique that crosses over the Manistique River at one time was lower than the level of the river. It gained recognition on Ripley’s Believe it or Not. The reason for this unique distinction is the paper mill downriver was in need of more water for increased production in the early 1900s.

In my photo, you see a dude fishing. The bridge with its solid concrete walls runs along the left side of the photo. In front of the fisherman is a concrete flume that water flowed through to the papermill. The top of the flume is higher than the surface of the road and the concrete sides held back the water of the flume. I am not sure exactly when, but the paper mill no longer needed the water it once did and the water level in the flume has been lowered. It is not the most visually appealing bridge or flume but I thought it was interesting that the bridge at one time went through the river instead of over it.

P.S. If you are wondering about the tower in the background you can see my post about it HERE.

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