Jackson Branch Bridge No. 15 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Jackson Branch Bridge No. 15
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Crossing the River Raisin in Raisin Charter Township, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Built | 1896 |
| Architect | Union Bridge Company, Detroit Bridge and Iron Works, Toledo Bridge Company |
| Architectural style | Truss bridge |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000572 |
| Added to NRHP | December 4, 2001 |
The Jackson Branch Bridge No. 15 is a cool old railway bridge in Raisin Charter Township, Michigan. It's also called the Tecumseh Railroad Bridge because it's near the city of Tecumseh. This historic bridge crosses over the River Raisin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 2001, which means it's an important landmark.
Contents
Building the Jackson Branch Bridge
The story of this bridge starts with early railroads. The Palmyra and Jacksonburgh Railroad began in the 1830s. It was a branch of the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad. Both of these early railroads faced problems.
From Old Lines to New Bridges
By the late 1830s, the lines were leased. They went to the Michigan Southern Railway. This company later became the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway. Around 1890, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway hired the Union Bridge Company. This company made parts for a bridge on the original Erie & Kalamazoo line.
When Was the Bridge Built?
In 1896, these parts were used again. New steel sections were also added. These new parts were made by the Detroit Bridge & Iron Works and the Toledo Bridge Company. Together, they built the Jackson Branch Bridge No. 15.
Who Owns the Bridge Now?
Over time, the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway joined other rail companies. In 1982, Conrail stopped using the railway line where this bridge sits. A group called the Southern Michigan Railroad Society bought the Jackson Branch and the bridge in 1985. Today, they run historic trains across the bridge.
About the Jackson Branch Bridge
This bridge is 254 feet, 10½ inches long (about 77.7 meters). It has four sections. It carries a single train track over the River Raisin. The railway track is about 40 feet (12 meters) above the river.
Where is the Bridge Located?
The closest road to the bridge is North Raisin Center Highway. It's about 250 feet (76 meters) east of the bridge. The area around the bridge has many trees. Because of the trees, you can't see the bridge from the road in the summer.
Can You Visit the Bridge?
It's important to know that you are not allowed to go onto the bridge on foot. However, you can cross it if you ride on one of the historic passenger trains operated by the Southern Michigan Railroad Society.
How the Bridge is Built
The bridge has different parts. One main part is a "Pratt deck truss" section. This part is 116 feet long. It has special connections and angled end posts. This section spans directly over the river. There are also two other sections called "deck plate girder" spans. Each of these is 44 feet long. A third deck plate girder span is 50 feet long. The bridge rests on strong stone supports called abutments and piers. The bridge deck, where the train tracks are, is 10 feet wide. It is made of strong 8x8 timbers.
