Second Street Bridge (Allegan, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Second Street Bridge |
|
|---|---|
Bridge in 2005
|
|
| Coordinates | 42°31′33″N 85°50′54″W / 42.5258°N 85.8484°W |
| Crosses | Kalamazoo River |
| Characteristics | |
| Width | 18 feet (5.5 m) |
| Longest span | 225 feet (69 m) |
| Clearance above | 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | Zenas King |
| Constructed by | King Iron Bridge Company |
| Construction cost | $7,532.25 |
| Opened | late September 1886 |
|
Second Street Bridge
|
|
| Location | 2nd St., Allegan, Michigan, USA |
| Built | 1886 |
| Architectural style | Whipple truss |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001845 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 1980 |
The Second Street Bridge is a special one-lane bridge in Allegan, USA. It crosses the Kalamazoo River and is known for its unique design. This bridge is important because it is a Michigan State Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1886 and has been an important part of Allegan ever since.
Contents
History of the Second Street Bridge
Why a New Bridge Was Needed
Before the Second Street Bridge was built, an old wooden bridge stood in its place. This wooden bridge had been used for about 50 years. By the mid-1880s, it was falling apart. People in Allegan were worried it might collapse. A local newspaper even said it was "nearly buried in liquid mud" and had many holes. Everyone hoped for a new, stronger iron bridge.
Building the Iron Bridge
The new bridge was designed by Zenas King. He was the person who started the King Iron Bridge Company. His company began building the bridge in 1886. They worked very quickly, finishing the bridge in just two and a half months. This was because people were afraid the old wooden bridge would fall down at any moment.
The new bridge cost $7,532.25 to build. It opened for traffic in late September 1886. This bridge was one of the biggest ones that the King Iron Bridge Company had ever built.
Saving the Historic Bridge
In 1979, experts checked the bridge. They found that the main iron parts were still strong. However, the bridge's top surface, called the deck, was getting old and worn out. City leaders decided to fix the bridge instead of replacing it. They knew it was a historic landmark. Also, they found that replacing it with a wider, two-lane bridge would cause more traffic problems.
Because the bridge was not a main road for lots of cars, the city asked the government for money to help fix it. Even though the repairs would not meet all modern road standards, the government agreed to help. This was partly because the bridge was made one-way to handle its narrow size.
How the Bridge Was Repaired
Money for the repairs came in 1981. A company called H&K Construction won the job with a bid of $552,000. This was much less than the $1.2 million it would have cost to build a brand new bridge.
To fix the bridge, the 80-ton structure was carefully moved off the river. It was rolled onto land using a system of rails and a special crane. Workers then took the bridge apart. Its pieces were sent to Holland, Michigan, for repairs and painting. New parts were made in Grand Rapids. All the parts were checked carefully to make sure they were strong.
After all the repairs, the bridge was put back together. Then, it was rolled back over the river. In June 1983, Allegan celebrated the bridge's reopening with a three-day "Bridgefest" party! Later, traffic lights were added. These lights allow cars to use the one-lane bridge by taking turns, so traffic can go both ways. Since 1995, the Second Street Bridge has even been featured in the official logo of the city of Allegan.
Special Recognitions for the Bridge
The Second Street Bridge has received several important honors:
- On June 11, 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important places across the United States.
- In 1982, the American Society of Civil Engineers named it a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This means it's a very important example of engineering.
- On September 8, 1982, it was named a Michigan State Historic Site. A special sign was put up in 1984 to tell people about its history.
Bridge Design and Features
The Second Street Bridge uses a special design called a Whipple truss. This design is made from strong steel and iron. The bridge is about 18 feet (5.5 m) wide. It stretches 225 feet (69 m) across the Kalamazoo River. There is about 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) of space between the bridge and the water below.
The bridge's supports, called abutments, are made from large granite stones. The bridge also has pretty decorations. These include fancy lattice work, decorative pieces on the end posts called finials, and metal handrails with a crisscross pattern. On one side of the bridge, there is a special walkway just for people walking, with a wooden floor.
