Ada in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ada Covered Bridge
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, September 28, 2021
1. Ada Covered Bridge Marker
Inscription.
Ada Covered Bridge. . An act of the legislature in 1867 authorized Ada Township to borrow up to $3000 for the purpose of building or repairing bridges in the township. This bridge was built about that time, apparently by William Holmes. The design for the trusses was patented by Josiah Brown in 1857. A timber bearing his name was uncovered during repair work. The bridge has been threatened by floods a number of times. It is said that farmers used to drive wagons loaded with stone onto the bridge during high water to hold it to the foundation. The bridge was closed to automobile traffic in 1930 and restored by the Kent County Road Commission in 1941.
An act of the legislature in 1867 authorized Ada Township to borrow up to $3000 for the purpose of building or repairing bridges in the township. This bridge was built about that time, apparently by William Holmes. The design for the trusses was patented by Josiah Brown in 1857. A timber bearing his name was uncovered during repair work. The bridge has been threatened by floods a number of times. It is said that farmers used to drive wagons loaded with stone onto the bridge during high water to hold it to the foundation. The bridge was closed to automobile traffic in 1930 and restored by the Kent County Road Commission in 1941.
Erected 1974 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0075.)
Location. 42° 57.14′ N, 85° 29.168′ W. Marker is in Ada, Michigan, in Kent County. Marker is at the intersection of Thornapple River Drive Southeast and Fase Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south on Thornapple River Drive Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7490 Thornapple River Dr SE, Ada MI 49301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Entrance sign for the park where the bridge is located
Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 29, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
