Mackinaw City: Building "The Bridge"
Whoa! Thanks for all the support everyone! I really appreciate it!
Ln X: Thanks! Your recent suburb entry is looking great too.
Sexysark:P : Thank you! This is a very interesting historical time to model.
TekindusT: Thanks man! I wanted a place to showcase it. Chicago seemed as good as any. Your recent CJ entry is awesome!
Schulmanator: Thanks! It is really great that we are at the point with this game that we can all bring out the details that we want.
Tonraq: The time I've spent exploring the city has mostly been on the north and west side. My few visits to the south side inspired this.
Gizza Dah Kidd: YES! A classic movie.
MilitantRadical: Thank you! There are so many good ways to show this era.
Mymyjp: I appreciate that! I don't believe I've seen that movie.
Naftixe: HA! You've got it! That skit is timeless fun with the English language.
SimCoug: A big thanks to you for this stuff, good sir! I was browsing the HH props in the lot editor and came across the poster. That one item led to this creation. When I found the workers sitting down, I knew I had to set them on the billboards. Thanks very much for this stuff! It adds a whole new level.
VMIUJcadet09: Thanks! The city is really something special.
fan o SC4: Well thank you very much. It's good that we can all share our stuff with each other.
Simul8ter8: Thanks it was a great build! Speaking of great builds...
Let's talk about one of the greatest construction projects in Michigan history, The Mackinac Bridge!
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The idea to create a bridge to connect the two peninsulas started long ago. The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge inspired the locals all the way back in 1884. The people weren't really sure how to build the bridge, but they believed it was possible. Roadway improvements in the early 20th century allowed more people to travel up north. Tunnels and causeways were proposed as a means to cross the waters, but they were never built.
In 1923 the state established a ferry system to bring people across the straits, a nickname for the connecting point of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The ferry system became highly utilized, exceeding capacity, and gradually becoming expensive and inefficient. Many people became united in making the bridge a reality. Studies were conducted throughout the 1930's and a route for the bridge was determined. However, two huge obstacles, The Great Depression and World War II, brought the vision to a halt.
Following this period, postwar tourism of northern Michigan made the bridge a necessity. It wasn't unheard of to wait for four or five hours to cross the straights by ferry. Construction began in May of 1954.
Let's have a look at what Mackinaw City looked like during the mid 1950's.
Well, here it is. The tip of the mitten. There's Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in the park. This neighborhood has a few small hotels and shops. It was early summer when these photos were taken. There appears to be a few tourists. They're probably buying fudge. You haven't truly lived until you've eaten Mackinac Fudge.
It's great with ice cream.
So this is a big construction site. That's I-75 being built on the left side of the photo. Looks like they took down quite a few trees. The causeway for the bridge is being built on the right. Most of the construction has moved offshore. That warehouse will probably be torn down soon. You can see a few tourists driving their cars out on the beach for a look at the bridge. Fort Michilimackinac is at the top of the photo. The visitor center and some additional parking are across the street. Fun fact: You are not permitted to pass 4th grade in Michigan unless you are capable of spelling Michilimackinac, from memory.
That's what they told me, anyway.
Here we can see iron workers hard at work putting the girders together. Several barges and cranes are being used.
Alright, so a closer view shows that a few of them may be on break. Hey, they earned it.
Looks like some dredging needs to be done. Good job dredger guys.
Here is where the bridge deck rises high above the water. This was done to allow lake freighters to pass underneath. The huge suspension towers are just outside this frame. The camera ran out of film, that's why there are no pictures.
Here's a close up of the supports under construction. This was really tough work. Many people put a tremendous effort into building this great bridge.
So there you have it. That is how the Mackinac Bridge was built. The bridge was completed in 1957.
It was been carry cars and posing for pictures ever since!
Thanks for reading! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and a safe week. Take care.
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