Michigan Roads - Historic Bridge Park

Historic Bridge Park, Battle Creek



The park is off of Wattles Rd. (9½ Mile Rd.) east of the city, off M-96/I-94 Business. All of the bridges come from different Michigan locations.


The 1886 Charlotte Highway bridge from Ionia County straddles the entrance to the park. It is the largest bridge transported to this location and painted the most vibrantly.


Crossing eastward over the bridge.


Crossing back westward.


The 133rd Ave. Bridge from Hopkins Twp., Allegan County, built 1897. It was constructed by the Michigan Bridge Company and spanned the Rabbit River. Want to know more? This is a four-panel, half-hip, pin-connected Pratt steel and wrought iron truss bridge, 64 feet long and 14 feet wide. It's the first bridge to be brought to the Bridge Park, restored in 1998 and transported in 1999. Yes, there was a sign telling me all this.


And back across that bridge.


The 20 Mile Rd. bridge from Calhoun County, built 1906. Besides the Charlotte Highway bridge, all of the bridges in the park cross Dickinson Creek, so they can at least feel that they're doing something useful.


More views from different directions.


This time, just read the sign.


And, of course, back the other way.


One last bridge, the 1888 Baker Rd. bridge from Clinton County. Between the Gale Rd. and Baker Rd. bridges is an inspired sculpture. Being modern art, it's not supposed to be interpretable.


All together now: "And back."

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