Watervliet Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Michigan Historic Bridge Inventory

Narrative Description

The bridge is eligible for the National Register as a well-preserved, early example of a concrete arch bridge built according to a state highway department standard plan.

The bridge plates indicate that this structure was originally Trunk Line Bridge No. 57, built in 1916 by the state highway department. Although plans for the structure do not appear to survive, the design is based on a standard plan. The structure resembles the department's standard plan for a reinforced concrete arch published in the Fifth Biennial Report (1913-1914). It is very similar to a 31-foot span in Hillsdale County, Trunk Line Bridge No. 237, which is also eligible for the National Register. Contractor W. B. Rogers received $5,269 for erecting the North Watervliet Road Bridge. A photograph of the completed structure appeared in the state highway's department's sixth biennial report, published in 1916.

The North Watervliet Road Bridge carried the West Michigan Pike, which paralleled the eastern shore of Lake Michigan from the Indiana border to the straits of Mackinac. Although this route helped promote tourism in western Michigan, archival research did not provide enough information to directly link the construction of the bridge with the tourism industry.

Information and Findings From Michigan Historic Sites Online

Narrative Description

main span number: 1 main span length: 40.0 structure length: 45.0 roadway width: 22.0 structure width: 24.0 The North Watervliet Road Bridge is located slightly north of the city limits of Watervliet and just east of Paw Paw Lake in a rural residential area. The road curves sharply to the south of the bridge. The bridge appears to serve residents and people visiting Paw Paw Lake. The bridge features solid concrete parapet railings with six recesses on each side, and Armco guard rails bolted to corners. Identical bridge plates appear at the north and south corners. The bridge's arch is barrel vaulted.

Statement of Significance

The bridge plates indicate that this structure was originally Trunk Line No. 57, built in 1916 by the state highway department, presumable according to a standard plan. The structure resembles the department's standard plan for a reinforced concrete arch found in the Fifth Biennial Report (1913-1914). The route was part of the West Michigan Pike, which promoted tourism in the western half of the state. This bridge is eligible for the National Register under Criterion C, as a good, early example of a concrete arch bridge built according to a state highway department standard plan.