Wines near Dexter in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Delhi Bridge
The Delhi Bridge was one of many Pratt through truss iron bridges built to order by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio, between 1876 and 1899 to span the Huron River. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Once common in Michigan, few bridges of this type survived into the twenty-first century. Built to serve the thriving agricultural village of Delhi Mills, it replaced earlier wooden foot and wagon bridges that crossed the river at a traditional ford. In the 1870s Delhi Mills was home to two flouring mills, a saw and woolen mill, a plaster mill, a train depot, a grocery store and a school. As electricity supplanted water power in the early twentieth century, many mill towns fell into decline, including Delhi Mills.
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On June 6, 1917, a powerful tornado swept through Washtenaw County, severely damaging Delhi Mills and the Delhi Bridge. The Washtenaw County Red Cross was created that summer to aid the victims of the tornado. Torn from its abutments, the bridge was tossed into the river below. According to local tradition, Edward Outwater and Eli Gallup used a team of horses to salvage the bridge. The bridge reopened the following year. The bridge was closed between 2005 and 2009 and then rehabilitated in response to the efforts of the East Delhi Bridge Conservancy. The work maintained the bridges original one-lane design and retained its classic Pratt through truss plan, ensuring its continued viability and preserving its aesthetics.
Erected 2012 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number L2227.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1891.
Location. 42° 19.999′ N, 83° 48.568′ W. Marker is near Dexter, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Wines. Marker is on North Delhi Road south of West Huron River Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ann Arbor MI 48103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Delhi Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Webster United Church of Christ (approx. 2.1 miles away); Webster Township Hall (approx. 2.3 miles away); Labyrinth (approx. 2.6 miles away); St. Patrick's Church (approx. 3.4 miles away); St. Patrick's Civil War Memorial (approx. 3˝ miles away); St. Joseph Catholic Church (approx. 3.8 miles away); Bethlehem Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dexter.
Regarding Delhi Bridge. Date Built: 04/12/1888
Length of Span: appoximately 110 feet
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. This page has been viewed 534 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 11, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.