Hamburg Township near Pinckney in Livingston County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hitting the Road
Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 9, 2022
1. Hitting the Road: Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township Marker
The Humpback Bridge used to be here,
crossing the Grand Trunk Railway. The narrow wooden span was built in 1900 to carry vehicles on state route M-36 over the Grand Trunk Railway line (now the Lakeland Trail). Unsuited to speeding traffic, it was the site of accidents and fell into disrepair before it was demolished in 1966 and M-36 was reconfigured. The first Hamburg settlers, arriving in 1831, followed Indian trails along the Huron River and between area lakes. The earliest built roads were graded dirt, later paved for increased traffic and motorized vehicles.
You Auto Know
The route that is now Hamburg Road was cut through the region in 1835.
This sign produced as a joint effort by the Hamburg Township Board of Trustees and the Hamburg Township Historical Society.
Special thanks to Eagle Scout Nathan Hinkle whose 2008 project inspired this new sign.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area
this page online
Location. 42° 27.916′ N, 83° 52.062′ W. Marker is near Pinckney, Michigan, in Livingston County. It is in Hamburg Township. It can be reached from Michigan 36. Marker is on the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail, about 0.5 mi. east of the trailhead that is next to the Hamburg Township Fire Department and 0.9 mi. west of Kress Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pinckney MI 48169, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Trains Off Line (approx. Ύ mile away); Chain of Lakes (approx. one mile away); The Big Chill (approx. 1.2 miles away); Homesite of Edwin B. Winans (approx. 1.9 miles away); Huron River (approx. 1.9 miles away); Trains to Hamburg
Photo courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society.
2. Hitting the Road: Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township Marker top left image
James Dewolf driving his team, Mage and Dan, grading a section of state route M-36 in 1915.
Additional commentary.
1. Incorrect statements
Two statements about the humpback bridge are not correct. My siblings and I grew up near the bridge. After being bypassed by the new section of M36, (my siblings and I think the new road opened in 1967, not 1966) the bridge was not demolished for a long time. We drove by it everyday for years after the new road opened. In fact, we think it lasted well into the 1970s. We are confident that it lasted at least to 1971 and perhaps as long as 1975.
— Submitted November 15, 2024, by Nicholas Marsh of West Chester, Ohio.
Photo courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society.
3. Hitting the Road: Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township Marker top right image
The Humpback Bridge was built in 1900 to carry state route M-36 over the Grand Trunk Railroad tracks.
Photo courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society.
4. Hitting the Road: Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township Marker bottom left image
Allie Hull leaving the Hamburg post office to start the second day of rural delivery, 1910. Until then, area residents had to pick up mail at the post office. Improved roads were critical to the region's growth.
5. Hitting the Road: Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township Marker bottom middle image
Concrete abutments are traces of the old bridge along the sides of the Lakeland Trail.
Photo courtesy of the Hamburg Historical Society.
6. Hitting the Road: Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township Marker bottom right image
The Humpback Bridge was the site of many car accidents due to limited viewlines of a tight curve on the far side.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 9, 2022
7. Hitting the Road: Changing Routes Through Hamburg Township Marker
View looking toward the west along the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail. Remnant of the bridge abutment can be seen on the left side of the trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 658 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 19, 2022, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
