Avery Road–Galien River Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Avery Road–Galien River Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 41°52′27″N 86°33′18″W / 41.8743°N 86.5549°W |
| Crosses | Galien River |
| Locale | New Troy, Michigan |
| Other name(s) | Mill Road–Galien River Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Curved-chord through-girder |
| Total length | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Width | 25.7 feet (7.8 m) |
| Longest span | 57 feet (17 m) |
| Number of spans | 1 |
| References | |
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| Built | By 1928, likely 1923 |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001577 |
| Added to NRHP | December 17, 1999 |
The Avery Road–Galien River Bridge is a special bridge that crosses the Galien River near New Troy, Michigan. It's also known as the Mill Road–Galien River Bridge. This bridge is important because it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a historic landmark! It was built a long time ago, likely around 1923.
Contents
A Look Back: The Bridge's History
How Old Is This Bridge?
People have crossed the Galien River at this spot for a very long time, even before 1860! The road that the bridge carries, Avery Road (also called Mill Road), was built in 1922. It's very likely the bridge was built around the same time.
Some old records from 1982 and 1995 said the bridge was built in 1928. However, other county records from that time don't mention building a new bridge then. This makes the 1928 date seem unlikely.
When Was It Really Built?
A report from the Michigan State Highway Department, covering 1922 to 1924, lists a bridge built by "W. Marshall & Son." This bridge matches the type and location of the Avery Road bridge. A metal plate that used to be on the bridge also supported this information. Because of this, experts believe the bridge was most likely built around 1923.
The Michigan State Highway Department helped build the bridge. W. Marshall and Sons, a company from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the main builder.
A Historic Landmark
At some point, a newer bridge was built right next to this historic one. The new bridge now carries Avery Road traffic.
The Avery Road–Galien River Bridge became a part of the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1999. This means it's officially recognized as an important historical structure. Two other bridges in Berrien County, Michigan, the Blossomland Bridge and the North Watervliet Road–Paw Paw Lake Outlet Bridge, were added to the list on the very same day.
Bridge Design and Location
What Kind of Bridge Is It?
The Avery Road–Galien River Bridge is a special type called a curved-chord through-girder bridge. This design uses strong concrete beams that curve slightly. The bridge is one of the oldest examples of this specific bridge style.
Where Can You Find It?
The bridge crosses the Galien River, which flows north. It's located about halfway along the river's path, close to the small village of New Troy, Michigan.
