Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge
About this property
The Thomson Road–Air Line Railroad Bridge, also known as just the Thomson Road Bridge, is a bridge located on Thomson Road over the abandoned Michigan Air Line Railroad right-of-way in Howard Township, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. It is one of the oldest examples of a concrete T-beam bridge in Michigan, and has a rare brick deck. The main line of the Michigan Central Railroad, located about .5 miles (0.80 km) west of this site, was constructed through Cass County in 1848. Just after the Civil War, a new rail line known as the Michigan Air Line Railroad was constructed, linking Jackson with the Michigan Central line at Niles; two years later, the route was controlled by the Michigan Central. In 1919, a cutoff was constructed through Howard Township, linking the main Michigan Central line to the Airline. This bridge was constructed at the same time, probably from a design developed by the railroad company. The railroad beneath the bridge has been abandoned for many years and is overgrown. The Thomson Road–Air Line Railroad Bridge is one of the oldest examples of a concrete T-beam bridge in Michigan, and the only historically significant bridge of the type having multiple spans. The entire bridge is 169 feet (52 m) long and just over 20 feet (6.1 m) in width, with five spans of 35 feet (11 m) in length. The length of the structure is due to the wide right-of-way beneath, which was used as a railroad switchyard known as the "Hump." The bridge has an unusual brick deck, which has a slight arch. The original bridge railings are metal pipe panels strung between concrete posts. The bridge has maintained an excellent integrity.
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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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Questions about this property
When was Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge listed on the National Register?
Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1999.
What type of historic resource is Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge?
Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge?
The period of significance for Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Thompson Road-Air Line Railroad Bridge will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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