Spring Lake Inlet Bridge, Spring Lake, MI - (GTW) ♦ ♣
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Location: Spring Lake Inlet Bridge, Spring Lake, MI - (GTW)
The Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee (GTW) used this swing bridge across the Grand River just north of their Grand Haven yards. The bridge was also used by the Chicago & West Michigan when it came through..
This bridge was built in 1908 by McClintic-Marshall Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is a metal rivet-connected Warren Through Truss movable swing bridge. [HBO]
Photo Info: This is a photo of the bridge in 1972. [Charles Geletzke Jr.]
Notes
During boating season, this bridge remains open to maritime traffic, but is operated by the train crew for rail operation. Trains which cross this bridge headed to/from Muskegon, Fremont, or points in between usually have a caboose for the conductor. The engine crew closes the bridge for rail traffic. After the train has crossed, the conductor opens the bridge for maritime traffic. From Kenneth Bush, 2023.
Time Line
1903. The DGH&M annual report notes that they own two drawbridges, both in Ferrysburg. One was built in 1883 and is 177' 6" long. The other, built in 1898 is 154 feet 2". One bridge is a truss bridge made of iron and the other described as through {sic] girder made of steel. Both were swung by hand power. Semaphores protected the bridges. Note: The second bridge was likely over the entrance to Spring Lake. [MCR-1904]
Bibliography
The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:
- [AAB| = All Aboard!, by Willis Dunbar, Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids ©1969.
- [AAN] = Alpena Argus newspaper.
- [AARQJ] = American Association of Railroads Quiz Jr. pamphlet. © 1956
- [AATHA] = Ann Arbor Railroad Technical and Historical Association newsletter "The Double A"
- [AB] = Information provided at Michigan History Conference from Andrew Bailey, Port Huron, MI
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