Crossing This 153-Year-Old Bridge In Michigan Is Like Walking Through History
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published February 23, 2024
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Do you have a soft spot for the charms of the past? Combine your love of vintage with your appreciation for our state’s beautiful outdoors and visit Fallasburg Bridge in Vergennes Township. This historic bridge in Michigan is a quaint reminder of yesteryear, and a great place for a photo op and picnic you’ll remember forever.
Learn more about this charming piece of history, located just 30 minutes from nearby Grand Rapids:
Spanning 100 feet of the Flat River, locals built the Fallasburg Bridge in 1871 to facilitate the area's budding furniture industry. It wasn't the first bridge constructed for this job, but it's the only one that lasted, still standing more than 150 years later.
It's maintained by the Fallasburg Historical Society, which also conserves a sprinkling of buildings on Vergennes Township's eastern side. These include a schoolhouse erected in 1867, an inn dating back to the 1840s, and other characterful structures that typify the charm of the early Midwest.
It's incredible that this bridge, first built for a cost of less than $1,500, has stood the test of time. There are only six similar bridges still standing in Michigan today, and Fallasburg is one of only three that allows vehicles to cross. Hopefully that's a sign of the structure's enduring strength!
Even if the bridge wasn't historic— gaining entry to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972— it would likely still be a popular tourist spot on the merits of its beauty alone. Not only is it a convenient distance from nearby Grand Rapids, it's surrounded by gorgeous trees that turn bright red in fall.
Though it isn't officially a park, many people picnic on the grassy bank beside the bridge. It's a great spot to appreciate Fallasburg Bridge's simple, yet effective, design and an idyllic setting for lunch.
Don't let traffic prevent you from crossing the bridge on foot! Drivers are fined if they don't yield to pedestrians and maintain walking speed. The bridge's interior is utterly atmospheric. It's easy to see why the Grand Rapids Press once observed that Fallasburg is like "a gateway to a place that time forgot."
Best of all for dog lovers like me, Fido is allowed to accompany you on your adventure. Just keep your pup leashed for his safety and the comfort of others.
