Wellston’s High Bridge

Here is the historic High Bridge near Wellston, Michigan, that goes over the Manistee River. In its day it was something to see as its primary function was to take out all the lumber being downed within the Manistee National Forest. Some areas were stripped clean.

The High Bridge railroad bridge was originally constructed in 1889 over the Manistee River Connecting Kaleva and Baldwin. At the time High Bridge was the tallest railroad bridge in Michigan. The wooden structure bridge was removed in 1947 and replaced with a metal structure bridge.

The bridge at the time was the only crossing at this section of the river so on a daily basis you would see people walking the bridge. In 1955 they removed the railroad bridge. But to this day if walked the North Country Trail along the river you can still see the trusses to the railroad bridge.

In this last photograph you can observe one of the great locomotives crossing the bridge. It was really something to see don’t you agree?

Historical High Bridge North of Baldwin

Ed Hawks, a regular reader here at Big Bass Lake and Beyond, first introduced me to this “High Bridge” with a picture postcard of a train running over it. It was constructed in 1889 and demolished in 1955. The total length of the bridge was 1,710 feet. When built, it was the highest rail bridge in Michigan hence it’s name. Wooden bridge replaced in 1947 with Steel structure. Piers are still visible. At one time only bridge nearby so it was used by locals to walk across.

The Manistee River is the historical home of the largest bridge project in Michigan (at least until the Big Bridge across the Straits of Mackinaw). Called High Bridge, the railroad bridge stood 78 feet above the water line outside of Brethren. Unfortunately, very little publicity was given to its construction, because of a disagreement with the news media. The railroad was originally supposed to cross the river much closer to town. And the newspapers thought it was going to be wonderful. But when the plans came through that the bridge was going to built 20 miles out of town, the paper largely ignored it.

From below on the Manistee River it must have been a sight to behold as boats passed underneath it. If anyone has more information about this bridge feel free to leave us a comment.