Morseville Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Morseville Bridge
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Burt Rd. at Flint River, Taymouth Township, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built by | Smith Bridge Co. |
| Architectural style | Pratt through truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000573 |
| Added to NRHP | April 5, 1990 |
The Morseville Bridge is a really old bridge that used to carry Burt Road across the Flint River in Taymouth Township, Michigan. It's super important because it's the oldest highway bridge still standing in Saginaw County! In 1990, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of important historical sites in the United States.
Contents
A Bridge Through Time
How the Bridge Came to Be
Taymouth Township, Michigan was created in 1842. By the 1870s, Burt Road was a very important road. It connected the small villages of Taymouth and Morseville. These villages were on opposite sides of the Flint River.
Before the current bridge, there was a wooden bridge. But in 1885, a big flood washed it away! The people of the township needed a new way to cross the river. So, they asked the Smith Bridge Company to build a strong iron bridge. This company is now part of the American Bridge Company.
The Morseville Bridge was built in 1885. It served the community for a very long time. People used it to cross the river until about 2006. That's when a new bridge was built nearby to take its place.
What Makes the Bridge Special
Design and Structure
The Morseville Bridge is located a little north of where Burt Road is now. The main part of the bridge is called a Pratt through truss. This means it has a special framework that helps it hold a lot of weight.
The main section is about 138 feet long and 16 feet wide. That's like almost half a football field! On each end, there are shorter sections called approach spans. These are about 29 feet long.
The iron truss part has eight sections. It uses strong metal posts and beams. These pieces are riveted together, which means they are joined with special metal fasteners. The diagonal parts that help support the bridge are made of metal bars with pins. The bridge rests on strong supports called piers. One pier is made of steel, and the other is concrete. The bridge deck, where cars used to drive, is made of steel grating. This part was added later and isn't original.
