BRIDGES

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The Kal-Haven Trail crosses seven bridges, most built in 1870 for the railroad. After carrying trains for 100 years, the bridges were converted for trail users by adding modern safety rails and decking. A 2002 report confirmed the bridges’ physical integrity and historical significance.

A map of the Kal-Haven trail pinpoints the location of seven bridgeS built for the railroad and the location of a former humpback bridge that carried auto traffic over the tracks. The map shows the complete trail between South Haven to the west and Kalamazoo to the east with the locations of smaller towns, roads and Lake Michigan. Each bridge is highlighted. Beginning to the west at South Haven and moving east to Kalamazoo are the following bridges: Black River bridge; Spicebush Creek Bridge near the Kibbie Townsite and Lacota; Barber Creek Arched Trestle Bridge to the east of Grand Junction; an unnamed Bridge; Humpback Bridge south east of Kendal; Cattle Crossing Bridge east of Humpback; a second unnamed Bridge to the east of Cattle Crossing Bridge; and a second Cattle Crossing Bridge to the north of the Kalamazoo Trail head.

Black River Bridge in South Haven

An early 1900s black and white photo postcard shows the Black River Bridge. The bridge has a simple deck and supports. In the upper left corner in red letters the words 'M.C.R.R. Bridge on the Black River. South Haven, Mich.' are printed. The bridge begins to the left on a grassy bank and spans the river to a bank on the right. The bank is covered with leafy tall trees. Behind the bridge in the near distance are more trees with broad leafy canopies. The wide river is flowing under the bridge toward the viewer. A small wooden boat appears to be anchored to a bank in the lower right of the postcard. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

An early twentieth century color illustrated postcard of the M.C.R.R. Black River Bridge at night. The bridge in the distance crosses the wide river under a blue-gray sky with clouds. The full moon casts a thin beam of light over the left side of the bridge and the river in the foreground. Trees on the riverbank frame the moon and the bridge. A boat rests near the bridge in the river close to the left bank. Image Credit: Dick Godfrey

In 1870, Liberty Hyde Bailey Jr. skipped school to see the Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad's new bridge over the Black River. He thought it "the most wonderful engineering feat in all the world." Now covered, it is the largest bridge on the Kal-Haven Trail.

A late 2000s color photo of a covered wood and steel trestle bridge. Three-quarters of the bridge is visible spanning a river. Under the bridge deck massive wood beams and steel girders support the bridge above the river. The bridge has large rectangular open windows under the cover. A wall runs the length of the bridge under the windows. Bare trees line the riverbank. Image Credit: Sue Hodapp

Barber Creek Arched Trestle Bridge

A late 2000s color photo of the Barber Creek arched trestle bridge shows the bridge spanning a small ravine. The bridge is wood and has simple rails. The arch of the bridge is gentle, and two sets of wood supports are visible under the deck. A small stream runs under the bridge between the two banks. The blue winter sky and many tall thin trees are the backdrop to the bridge and ravine. Image Credit: Sue Hodapp

The 26th Street Humpback Bridge

The 26th Street humpback bridge was the only one to cross over the tracks. It was dismantled by 1988.

A color photo shows the 26th Street humpback bridge during fall. The bridge sits high over a tree lined ravine with train tracks beneath. The bridge's deck in the middle is higher than the ramps on either side. Two supports are visible under the bridge where the ramps meet middle deck. In the distance a tell-tale post is visible. Image Credit: Sue Hodapp

Cattle Crossing Bridge

A color photo shows a simple wooden trestle bridge crossing a small ravine. A high wooden railing runs along the span of the bridge. Two sets of wooden beams support the bridge among lush vegetation on the ravine floor. Green trees create shadows on the on the bridge railing. Bridges allowed cattle to cross safely under the train tracks. Image Credit: Susan Cooper and Rich Geer

Telltale Posts

Telltale posts warned people working on top of moving railroad cars of an upcoming bridge. Ropes hung from a wire strung between the posts alerted them to kneel or lay down. Two of these posts, once used for the now dismantled 26th Street bridge, can be seen along the trail east of Kendall.

A color photo shows a tell-tale post along abandon train tracks. The post sits to the left on tracks that gently curve from the center horizon line to the left foreground. In the middle of the photo about five feet to the right of the tracks is the tell-tale post. The post is a simple wooden pole about 18 feet tall. A metal rod about five feet long hangs out over the tracks from the post at a 90-degree angle. The rod is supported by shorter metal rod attached to it and the post at a 30-degree angle. The two rods together have the appearance of an acute triangle at the top of the post. Trees with golden fall leaves line the tracks. Telltale post and train tracks viewed from the 26th Street humpback bridge. Image Credit: Sue Hodapp

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