Whites Bridge
| Whites Bridge | |
|---|---|
South Approach
|
|
| Coordinates | 43°00′54″N 85°17′57″W / 43.01513°N 85.29913°WCoordinates: 43°00′54″N 85°17′57″W / 43.01513°N 85.29913°W |
| Carries | Whites Bridge Road |
| Crosses | Flat River |
| Locale | Smyrna, Michigan |
| Maintained by | Ionia County Road Commission |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Brown truss Covered bridge |
| Total length | 120 ft |
| Width | 1 lane, 14 ft |
| Longest span | 116.5 ft |
| History | |
| Opened | 1869 or 1867 |
| Closed | 2013, Destroyed by fire |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | No |
| Designated | February 17, 1965 |
Whites Bridge (alternatively White's Bridge) was a 120-foot (37 m) span Brown truss covered bridge, erected in 1869 in Keene Township, Michigan, United States, near Smyrna on the Flat River. Carrying Whites Bridge Road across the Flat River, it was located north of the Fallasburg Bridge and south of Smyrna. It was among the area's best-known 19th century structures. The bridge was completely destroyed by fire, on the morning of July 7, 2013 (police deemed the case arson). In July, 2016, approval was granted for rebuilding a replica bridge.
White's Bridge was the third bridge across the Flat River at or near this location south of Smyrna, which was a crossing point or ford, even before the bridges were built. The "Whites Bridge" and "Whites Crossing" names are taken from the White family, prominent pioneers of the day. The original bridge, built in 1840 by Levi T. White and his sons, was a corduroy bridge made of logs. A second bridge, built about 1856, reportedly at a cost of $250, was destroyed by an ice jam during the spring breakup of 1869. The residents of Smyrna sought a replacement with plans to pay for it with a deferred payment.
The residents contracted with Jared N. Bresee, builder of the Fallasburg Bridge, and Joseph H. Walker to build the bridge for a deferred payment of $1000 due in 1870, and $700 due in 1871. The builders used second-hand lumber in an effort to contain costs and finish quickly (the bridge was built in 84 days with only manpower and animal power). The townspeople reportedly discovered auger holes in the floor planking and withheld $25 from the first payment. Except for occasional siding and cedar roof shingle replacement, White's Bridge retained its original form and structure.
The bridge was listed with the Michigan State Register on February 17, 1965. It was awarded a Michigan Historical Marker (site L0042) on July 2, 1965.
The bridge was briefly closed in 1995 to allow for repair of the abutments. It was subsequently reopened to automobile traffic. The bridge, with a load limit of 3 tons (2.7 tonnes) in effect, was in use until it incurred major structural damage, presumed to have been caused by a motor vehicle, on approximately January 8, 2010. It subsequently reopened to traffic with the replacement parts easily visible.
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Wikipedia