National Register of Historic Places

Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge

Stambaugh Township, Iron County, Michigan
Listed
December 17, 1999
Type
Structure
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
99001520

About this property

The Forest Route 157–Tamarack River Bridge, also known as the San Souci Bridge, was a bridge located on Federal Forest Highway 157 over the Tamarack River in Stambaugh Township, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, and demolished in the late 2000s. During the 1910s, a road was developed through Iron County running from Dickinson County through Crystal Falls and Iron River and on to Gogebic County. Between Iron River and the county line, the road crossed three rivers: Cook's Run River, the Paint River and the Tamarack River. In 1915 the Michigan State Highway Department let out contracts to construct 50-foot (15 m) spans over each river; these bridges were designated Trunk Line Bridges 26, 27, and 28, respectively. Barnum and Counihan were awarded the contracts to build the bridges at Cook's Run and over the Tamarack River. The Tamarack River bridge was completed in 1916 at a cost of $2,826.10. The bridge was the last link in the trunk line route—then known as the "Cloverland Trail"—and on July 21, 1916 was the site of the formal dedication of the route. It was located near the Sans Souci flag railroad station on a Chicago and North Western line. 1,500 people took part, although many of them were forced to arrive by train, alongside about 270 automobiles and motorcars. Food included 1,500 pounds (680 kg) of meat. In the 1920s the Cloverland Trail developed into US Highway 2, but by 1942 the segment crossing the Tamarack River had been realigned, and the old section re-designated as a Forest Road in the Ottawa National Forest. The Forest Route 157–Tamarack River Bridge carried vehicular traffic, and was in essentially unaltered condition. The bridge was technologically significant as one of the two oldest concrete girder bridges designed by the Michigan State Highway Department. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, but it was demolished and replaced in 2008. The main span of the Forest Route 157–Tamarack River Bridge was 50 feet (15 m) long and 19 feet (5.8 m) wide, with a roadway width of 17 feet (5.2 m). The bridge represented a standard 1915–16 Michigan State Highway Department design. The bridge consisted of two concrete girders resting on concrete abutments with angled wingwalls. The bridge was modestly detailed, with recessed rectangular panels on the outside walls and bronze "Trunk Line Bridge" plates (since removed) on the girders' inside walls.

Location

Stambaugh Township, Iron County, Michigan
46.24708, -88.97825

Categories

ENGINEERINGTRANSPORTATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Van Platen-Fox Lumber Camp Historic Complex
Listed
6.5 mi
Cooks Run Trout Feeding Station
Industrial
7.6 mi
Bethany Lutheran Church
Industrial
12 mi
Beechwood Store
Industrial
12.1 mi
Camp Gibbs
Listed
13.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge listed on the National Register?

Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 17, 1999.

What type of historic resource is Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge?

Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge?

The period of significance for Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Forest Route 157-Tamarack River Bridge?

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