This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.

1939: Black River Harbor

Ottawa National Forest, Michigan, USA - Black River
Bridgemeister ID:1045 (added 2003-12-06)
Year Completed:1939
Name:Black River Harbor
Location:Ottawa National Forest, Michigan, USA
Crossing:Black River
Coordinates:46.66608 N 90.04611 W
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:3601st Company CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Camp Norrie
Use:Footbridge
Status:In use (last checked: 2019)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)
Suspended Spans:1
Main Span:1 x 58.8 meters (193 feet)

Notes:

  • Reconstructed, 1968, but appears to have retained its original appearance. Improvements made, 2009.
  • Tom Haapoja provided information about this bridge. His father worked on its construction: "Built in 1938-39. They had a sawmill on site from which they took 'select' lumber for the bridge and boat docking area. I think the sawmill was located on the present-day parking lot. Each anchor for the suspension cables consisted of 44 tons of concrete. The concrete was transported to the forms via wheelbarrows. The construction of the East anchor was difficult because the wheelbarrows travelled uphill, and each were pushed by one man and pulled by another."

    "It was a WPA and CCC effort. The CCC Camp discipline and logistics were provided by the US Army, but the construction supervision was provided by the WPA. About 200 Men from the Norrie CCC camp (Ironwood, Michigan) participated in the construction of the bridge and surrounding park. They worked during the cold of winter and rode to and from Camp Norrie in open trucks. Each trip took 1 1/2 hours. The architect of the bridge was 'Oakey' Johnson. The WPA construction foreman was 'Charlie' Johnson."
Photo by Tom Haapoja Postcard, collection of David Denenberg

Find bridges within of this bridge's location (N 46.666080 W 90.046110)

Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.


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