Northern Mich~Mash Preserve
Petoskey's Bear River
~ MITCHELL STREET BRIDGE ~
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
At first only a long log traversed the Bear River running into Little Traverse Bay.
~ 1879 ~
Cases Decided in the Supreme Court of Michigan, Volume 108
(Regarding Bridges)
Cases Decided in the Supreme Court of Michigan, Volume 108
(Regarding Bridges)
~ Over the Years ~
Mitchell Street Bridges
Mitchell Street Bridges
Photo Below: The Mitchell Street Bridge in 1879 featuring Dr. William's House.
Photo Below: Mitchell Street Bridge viewed looking toward the north with Little Traverse Bay in the distance. The wood tower in the back right of the photo shows, and the next photo below, the Mineral Well in Mineral Well Park being drilled about 1878. For more information about the well drilling click HERE.
Photo Below: Mitchell Street bridge int the background with the drilling of the mineral well in Mineral Well Park at the mouth of the Bear River by the Lake Street Bridge.
"Much of Petoskey's progress is told in these following four old photos of the bridge that connects the East Side and the West Side across Bear River at Mitchell Street."
Explanation of bridge views is stated under the fourth photo.
Explanation of bridge views is stated under the fourth photo.
~ Over the Years ~
Mitchell Street Bridges
Photos Below according to order of bridge construction:
Bridge #1) Photo Top Center wooden bridge in late 1870s
Bridge # 2) Photo Upper Right wooden bridge rebuilt about 1885
Bridge #3) Photo Upper Left steel structure about 1890
Bridge #4) Photo Center Front concrete construction from 1931, still standing in 2019...
[The 1931 bridge was estimated to cost $250,000.]
Mitchell Street Bridges
Photos Below according to order of bridge construction:
Bridge #1) Photo Top Center wooden bridge in late 1870s
Bridge # 2) Photo Upper Right wooden bridge rebuilt about 1885
Bridge #3) Photo Upper Left steel structure about 1890
Bridge #4) Photo Center Front concrete construction from 1931, still standing in 2019...
[The 1931 bridge was estimated to cost $250,000.]
~ 1880s ~
Article Above: Transcribed in the column at right...
|
2 April 1880 Article at left transcribed:
“On Monday next the question will be submitted to the electors of this township, whether there shall be money raised for the purpose of building a bridge across Bear River, on Mitchell and Lake streets. These two streets intersect no the east side of Bear River, so that only one bridge is necessary to be built. In order to become posted as to the desirableness of a bridge at this point, one has only to attempt to go out of town in a southwestern direction, say towards the cemetery lot, and the crooks and turns he will have to make will as ever convince him that a direct route is very essential. Once a bridge built at this point and direct communication opened up with the western part, without going down or up any hill, while now it becomes necessary to first go down a hill and then up to go or come to Petoskey. The method proposed to be adopted in the matter is to borrow $1,000 on five years time, at seven per cent, and with this sum, together with some voluntary contributions, to build a bridge across at the intersection of those two streets, which will accommodate all the businesses that direction, and by the time the principal has to be paid, the country will be so far advanced that the tax will not be a burden. We apprehend that the electors of the town will see at once the necessity of this move, and vote almost to a man for it." |
~ 1883 ~
|
~ 1885 ~
|
FIRST Mitchell Street Bridge
This FIRST bridge was built by private subscription by Mr. Merchant.
He owned multiple parcels on the West Side, and desired the bridge for business purposes.
Photo Below: Notice the road at the east end of the bridge, leading down to the river's edge.
The 1899 article below describing the parade celebrating German Day in Petoskey,
could possibly be a description of the parade in the above photo or a very similar parade...
could possibly be a description of the parade in the above photo or a very similar parade...
Photo Below: Viewing Mitchell Street looking toward the west, with the electric light company building
at the left with electrical wires running toward the below left in the photo...
at the left with electrical wires running toward the below left in the photo...
1887
Photo Below: Looking west over the Mitchell Street Bridge with people walking across...
1890
~ Old Mitchell Street Bridge ~
~ 1891 ~
~ 1896 ~
~ 1907 ~
|
~ 1910 ~
|
Mitchell Street STEEL Bridge
Photo Below: A woman on the Mitchell Street Bridge was looking north over the Bear River
with the Arlington Hotel way in the background...
with the Arlington Hotel way in the background...
Photo Below: Looking north on the Bear River
with the Mitchell Street Bridge and Little Traverse Bay in the distance...
with the Mitchell Street Bridge and Little Traverse Bay in the distance...
Photo Below: Looking south on the Bear River
with the electric company smoke stack showing behind the Mitchell Street Bridge...
(similar perspective to the next photo below)
1910
with the electric company smoke stack showing behind the Mitchell Street Bridge...
(similar perspective to the next photo below)
1910
Photo Below: Mitchell Street STEEL bridge in background with the Lake Street Bridge
and the Low Level Dam/Weir on Lake Street in the foreground (looking south)...
Postcard Below by Foley: Lake Street Bridge, Lake Street Dam,
and OLD Mitchell Street Bridge beside Mineral Well Park...
and OLD Mitchell Street Bridge beside Mineral Well Park...
~ 1912 ~ |
~ 1914 ~
|
~ 1917 ~
|
~ 5 June 1917 ~
Postcard Photo Below: My website Charlevoix Emmet History's webpage for "WWI Emmet County Military" explains (about half way down the web page) the reason for the parade across the Mitchell Street, Petoskey bridge in 1917:
Congress had declared war 6 April 1917 against the German Imperial Government. The question arose as to how the United States would field additional personnel to add to the then army of about one hundred thousand men. So, in May 1917, Congress passed the Selective Service Law which provided for a method to select the members of a future army. The President set a day on which all men, not already in the service of his country between the ages of 21 and 31 must register for military service. The day set for this FIRST registration was 5 June 1917, the day of the parade across the Petoskey Mitchell Street Bridge. Emmet County sent about 750 men into service during this time. These "Outpourings of Patriotism" were held all across the country, like in Petoskey.
Congress had declared war 6 April 1917 against the German Imperial Government. The question arose as to how the United States would field additional personnel to add to the then army of about one hundred thousand men. So, in May 1917, Congress passed the Selective Service Law which provided for a method to select the members of a future army. The President set a day on which all men, not already in the service of his country between the ages of 21 and 31 must register for military service. The day set for this FIRST registration was 5 June 1917, the day of the parade across the Petoskey Mitchell Street Bridge. Emmet County sent about 750 men into service during this time. These "Outpourings of Patriotism" were held all across the country, like in Petoskey.
Photo Below: Taken 70 or 80 years after the photo above showing a very similar parade...
over the bridge to proceed up Mitchell Street
over the bridge to proceed up Mitchell Street
~ 1923 and 1924 ~
~ About 1927 ~
Postcard Below: Mitchell Street Bridge over the Bear River, Petoskey.
Postcard addressed from Sophia M. to Mrs. Joseph McElroy July 14th, 1927.
Postcard addressed from Sophia M. to Mrs. Joseph McElroy July 14th, 1927.
~ 1930 ~
~ 1931 ~
~ 1931 ~
CONCRETE Constructed Mitchell Street Bridge
CONCRETE Constructed Mitchell Street Bridge
Postcard Below Labeled: "New Mitchell Street Bridge, Petoskey, Mich."
The concrete bridge was NEW in 1931.
The concrete bridge was NEW in 1931.
Photo Below: 1931 Bridge with OLD electric plant in the background... no landscaping
~ May 1974 ~
~ 1983 ~
Mitchell Street Bridge in USE...
West Mitchell Street and US 31 traffic travels over the Bear River in Petoskey, Michigan.
The Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Photo Below: Elizabeth Street was still accessible from Mitchell Street.
The Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Photo Below: Elizabeth Street was still accessible from Mitchell Street.
Mitchell Street Bridge in Desperate Need of Repair... 2011
The photos referenced in the letter above may be viewed in the format of a SLIDESHOW Below... just click on PLAY
on the upper left corner of the main photo
OR, click on the individual photos at the top to move along the photos.
on the upper left corner of the main photo
OR, click on the individual photos at the top to move along the photos.
In the Petoskey News Review clickable 21 June 2011 article above, reporter Ryan Bentley wrote: "With limited funding available, MDOT spokesman Bob Felt noted that the agency will concentrate repair efforts on limited portions of the railing where concrete decay has been the most pronounced."
AND, as noted in the slideshow photos below AFTER this June 2011 repair... LIMITED certainly was all that happened... just patches. These photos were take 24 November 2011 AFTER the patches. The road bed of the bridge was never touched.
AND, as noted in the slideshow photos below AFTER this June 2011 repair... LIMITED certainly was all that happened... just patches. These photos were take 24 November 2011 AFTER the patches. The road bed of the bridge was never touched.
The photos in the slideshow below were taken the same date of 13 July 2011 as the photo above.
Pretty Bridge from a distance...
Pretty Bridge from a distance...
~ 24 November 2011 ~
Slideshow Below: Collapse of West Marine parking area near the Mitchell Street Bridge
Slideshow Below: Collapse of West Marine parking area near the Mitchell Street Bridge
~ 3 May 2012 ~
Photo Below: Collapse of West Marine parking area near the Mitchell Street Bridge REPAIRED
~ 27 March 2014 ~
A Petoskey News Review 27 March 2014 article explained: "The project includes resurfacing and rebuilding
U.S. 31 from U.S. 131 to the Mitchell Street bridge, median construction, traffic signal work,
bridge railing reconstruction and bridge deck repairs. The entire project cost is expected to be $3.5 million."
A Petoskey News Review 27 March 2014 article explained: "The project includes resurfacing and rebuilding
U.S. 31 from U.S. 131 to the Mitchell Street bridge, median construction, traffic signal work,
bridge railing reconstruction and bridge deck repairs. The entire project cost is expected to be $3.5 million."
~ April 4 2014 ~
Mitchell Street Bridge Repair Just Starting $3.5 million project...
(Slideshow Below)
Mitchell Street Bridge Repair Just Starting $3.5 million project...
(Slideshow Below)
~ 9 April 2014 ~
US 31 Detour For Mitchell Street Bridge Repair
East Bound Detour on US 31 Using Right Side of Highway
West Bound Detour on Lake Street and Ingalls Avenue
(Slideshow Below)
US 31 Detour For Mitchell Street Bridge Repair
East Bound Detour on US 31 Using Right Side of Highway
West Bound Detour on Lake Street and Ingalls Avenue
(Slideshow Below)
~ 15 May 2014 ~
Mitchell Street Bridge Surface Repair
(Slideshow Below)
Mitchell Street Bridge Surface Repair
(Slideshow Below)
~ 16 June 2014 ~
US 31 Detour For Mitchell Street Bridge Repair
East Bound Detour on US 31 Using Left Side of Highway
West Bound Detour on Lake Street and Ingalls Avenue
[Arlington Avenue Under Construction At Same Time]
(Slideshow Below)
US 31 Detour For Mitchell Street Bridge Repair
East Bound Detour on US 31 Using Left Side of Highway
West Bound Detour on Lake Street and Ingalls Avenue
[Arlington Avenue Under Construction At Same Time]
(Slideshow Below)
THREE 2017–2018 Photos Below: Aerial Views of the Bear River and the Mitchell Street Bridge...
THREE Photos Above: Alex Childress' additional work also may be viewed at Alex Childress Photo.
~ 18 July 2018 ~
Mitchell Street Bridge with
NO Construction and with Garden Club flower baskets gracing the seemingly safe bridge...
Mitchell Street Bridge with
NO Construction and with Garden Club flower baskets gracing the seemingly safe bridge...
~ 20 October 2019 ~
~ 13 October 2021 ~
Repair Work on Mitchell Street Bridge Requires US 31 Lane Restrictions.
Repair Work on Mitchell Street Bridge Requires US 31 Lane Restrictions.
The Petoskey News Review reported that work involving the sidewalk on the north side of the bridge which carried Mitchell Street across the Bear River and the bridge approach in the outside west-bound lane would require US 31 lane restrictions on 13 September 2021 until 15 September 2021 with most repair work done at night. The repair is to ensure the sidewalk is safe for pedestrian use and to prevent concrete debris from falling into the roadway.
~ November 2021 ~
Two Photos Below: This view of Mitchell Street Bridge is from Elizabeth Street, now closed-off from Mitchell Street.
~ 18 November 2022 ~
~ 2024 ~
Bridge Plaque Below: "Trunk Line Bridge – 1930 – BO1 OF 24011
Built by the
State Highway Department
Under the Supervision of
Grover C. Dillman – State Highway Commissioner (1929 to 1933)
Contractor – Whitney Brothers
Built by the
State Highway Department
Under the Supervision of
Grover C. Dillman – State Highway Commissioner (1929 to 1933)
Contractor – Whitney Brothers
Two of the above plaques are mounted on the concrete of the Mitchell Street Bridge, Petoskey, MIchigan.
1) The plaque on the railing facing the roadway on the north side is on the east end.
2) The plaque on the railing facing the roadway on the south side is on the west end.
Each plaque is mounted abut 20 feet, or so, from the start of the bridge rail.
1) The plaque on the railing facing the roadway on the north side is on the east end.
2) The plaque on the railing facing the roadway on the south side is on the west end.
Each plaque is mounted abut 20 feet, or so, from the start of the bridge rail.
The 2 February 2024 Petoskey News Review announced "MDOT to present bridge project at Petoskey City Council meeting. (5 February 2024)" "MDOT is proposing to make necessary repairs to Mitchell Street Bridge in 2025 to restore historic features and extend the life of the structure." The areas in need of repair show to be more on the underside of the bridge, making falling concrete unsafe for activities in that area as noted in the grant application below; including substructure patching, deck and fascia patching, superstructure patching, removing and replacing epoxy overlay, expanding joint replacements, removing and replacing sidewalk approaches, and maintenance of traffic. Below are three pages directly from the MDOT Grant Application.
The Mitchell Street Bridge truly is in need of repair "Under the Bridge"
as can be seen in the slide show of photos below.
Click PLAY in the upper left corner of the main photo below.
as can be seen in the slide show of photos below.
Click PLAY in the upper left corner of the main photo below.