Port Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bridging the Blue Waters
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, August 15, 2022
1. Bridging the Blue Waters Marker
People first crossed the St. Clair River using logs, rafts and canoes. Steam-powered ferries began carrying freight and people in the 1840s. The river current pushed tethered swing ferries from shore to shore. Later other ferries were used, and in 1891 rail transport was improved with the opening of the tunnel under the St. Clair River.
In 1938, the Blue Water Bridge made automobile and truck traffic possible across the international border. A second span was built in 1997 to accommodate increasing traffic. The longest span of the Blue Water Bridge is approximately 1.25 miles (2 km) long and the highest point is 233 feet (70 m) above the water.
[Background photo courtesy of]
State Archives of Michigan
Erected by Thomas Edison Depot Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 42° 59.924′ N, 82° 25.554′ W. Marker is in Port Huron, Michigan, in St. Clair County. Marker is at the intersection of Thomas Edison Parkway and the Bluewater Bridge to Sarnia (Interstate 69/94), on the right when traveling south on Thomas Edison Parkway
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ships on the St. Clair (here, next to this marker); Native Americans (a few steps from this marker); Immigration (a few steps from this marker); Tom Edison at Grand Trunk (a few steps from this marker); All Aboard! (a few steps from this marker); Making Tracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Edison Homesite (within shouting distance of this marker); Underground Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Huron.
Also see . . .
1. Thomas Edison Depot Museum, Port Huron MI. Port Huron Museums website entry (Submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. History of the Blue Water Bridge. Michigan Department of Transportation website entry (Submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2014
2. Bridging the Blue Waters Marker
Photographed By Unknown, circa 1938
3. Photo on Bridging the Blue Waters Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 5, 2014
4. Bridging the Blue Waters Marker
via Pinterest, unknown
5. Blue Waters Bridge
Blue Water Bridge International Crossing Information
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 17, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on April 24, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
