Delhi Bridge

Delhi Bridge. . , Delhi Mills was founded in 1831 by Jacob Dorms, who built a sawmill at the rapids. By the mid to late 1800s, this area was a thriving village with two flour mills, a woolen mill, a saw mill and a plaster mill. Remains of mill foundations are still visible to the west of the bridge on both sides of the river. Many homes in Delhi Mills date from this 19th century hamlet., The Delhi Bridge is one of a few drive-through truss wrought iron bridges in Michigan that is still in use. Another is the Foster Road Bridge, just a short drive to the east along Huron River Drive. Bridges are usually designed with the trusses placed below the bridge deck. This bridge is special because the trusses are above the bridge deck. When the Delhi Bridge was originally erected here in 1888 - 1890, the surrounding community of Delhi Mills was a booming mill town, with the coming of electricity, the mills closed., On June 6, 1917, a tornado swept through Delhi Mills, twisting the bridge, lifting if off its abutments and throwing it onto the river. The bridge was badly damaged. In 1918, the bridge was re-erected. It is not known whether the original bridge was repaired or a smilier bridge of the same vintage was erected., (Next two paragraphs badly damaged)