Ceresco Bridge

Information and Findings From MDOT

The 12 Mile Road Bridge is eligible for the National Register as a good example of a filled-spandrel concrete arch bridge with excellent historical integrity.

Calhoun County built the 12 Mile Road Bridge in 1920 as State Reward Bridge No. 53. Contractors for the project were L. Smith, H.A. Nichols, and M.C. Nichols, of Hastings, Michigan, who submitted a bid of $25,175 on 11 March of that year. The total project cost $35,070, of which the state paid half. The state highway department also supplied the plans for the structure, based on a standard design.

Visit MDOT's Historic Bridge Website

Information and Findings From Michigan Historic Sites Online

Narrative Description:

The 12 Mile Road Bridge is located in the village of Ceresco. A dam is located to the east of the structure. The bridge displays solid concrete parapet railings with ten recesses each. A tapered projecting stringcourse trims the elliptical barrel vault. Concrete lamp posts, missing their fixtures, stand at the corners and in the middle of the railings. Bridge plates are attached at the northwest and southeast corners. main span number: 2 main span length: 57.5 structure length: 115.0 roadway width: 24.5 structure width: 20.7

Statement of Significance:

Calhoun County presumably built the 12 Mile Road Bridge in 1920 as State Reward Bridge No. 53. According to the bridge plates, contractors for the project were L. Smith, H. A. Nichols, and M. C. Nichols, of Hastings, Michigan. Archival research did not provide any additional information. The 12 Mile Road Bridge is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C as a good example of the filled-spandrel concrete arch bridge type with excellent historical integrity.