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| Whites Bridge near Belding, Michigan. 5/13/2022 dwm photo |
The first covered bridge I photographed was Conley's Ford on July 3, 2009 in Parke County, Indiana.
It began a quest to shoot all of them in Indiana, then in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa.
In 2020, we made a trip back to Indiana to capture a new bridge, the Cedar Ford in Monroe County.
Last year, while visiting Missouri we saw two of that state's four covered bridges but since it wasn't one of the six states in the upper Midwest, they didn't count.
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| Two miles of gravel road deliver you to Whites. |
When we visited Michigan in 2019 I read about Whites Bridge. It was burned down in 2013. Two years later efforts began to rebuild it. At a cost of nearly $500,000 it was finished and officially re-opened in February 2021.
The historical marker says it was built in 1867 while other sources cite 1869 as the year it was finished. It was the third built at the location across the Flat River near the town of Smyrna in just 84 days using manpower and horses to complete the work.
The name honors the Whites, a prominent pioneer family who were among the first Europeans to settle in the area. It was well-built, surviving with minor repairs until arsonists destroyed it 144 years later.
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| The Flat River flows under the new bridge. |
When I read it had re-opened to traffic, I began looking for an opportunity to complete my "collection" of bridges in the upper Midwest.
We combined a trip to see family with a visit to Holland's Tulip Time festival; and relaxing in Grand Rapids with a trek to the bridge.
It is near the Ada and Fallasburg bridges, reached by traveling remote country roads. The last two stretches feel authentic as it passes over gravel, mud, and dirt.
While taking pictures of the bridge May 13, 2022 I felt lucky to see a replica of the original structure.
The day was unusually warm which attracted a number of folks who parked, unloaded their kayaks and paddled down river.
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| The ramp leads to the river from a parking lot. |
I appreciate the hard work and determination of the original builders as well as the local leaders, fundraisers, and volunteers who reconnected two sides of a river and restored a slice of area history.
Whites Covered Bridge
Built: Originally in 1867 or 1869, rebuilt in 2020.
Truss: Through-truss
Length: 120 feet over the Flat River
Here are a few more pictures of the Whites Bridge:
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| All pictures taken by David Mossner - May 13, 2022. |
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