West Michigan Covered Bridges in Fall ~ October 13, 2022

The 125-foot Ada Covered Bridge spans the Thornapple River and was originally built in 1867 by William Holmes. It closed to vehicle traffic in 1930 and became a pedestrian bridge. In 1979 it was destroyed by fire and this replica bridge was completed in 1980.

The Fallasburg Covered Bridge is 100 feet long and spans the Flat River. Originally built in 1871 by Jared N. Bresee, the bridge is still open to vehicle traffic.

Repairs and modifications have been made over the years to maintain the structure (in 2013 the bridge was damaged when a cement truck drove on it). Of the three bridges visited today, this is the only one that can claim to be original.

Whites Bridge is 120 feet long, also spans the Flat River, and was built in 1867 by Jared N. Bresee (spelled here as Brazee) and J.N. Walker.

In 2010, a person drove through the side of the bridge (I took this photo in 2012).

And in 2013, the bridge was completely destroyed by fire. It took years for it to get rebuilt but this replica bridge finally opened in 2020.

All three bridges were built with the truss system patented by Josiah Brown and are known as Brown Truss bridges. Happy Fall, y'all!

Old Stone Foundation Discovered, Ada Drive, Ada MI ~ April 5, 2021

Today on a walk we spotted part of this, just visible from the walking path from one angle, walls that were part of an old foundation. So we climbed up for a closer look.

Some stone steps

You can walk right into the basement/lower level.

Nature will take over the walls but I'm not sure about that big hole in the ground 😮

You might never know it was there, especially as the foliage fills out. There was no trash in it so it doesn't appear that kids have found it. In the meantime, we'll check with the Ada Historical Society to see if they know anything about it. (Here is the view from the walking path.)

Ada Cemetery, 6340 Grand River Dr SE, Ada MI

 Being just over a mile from my old house, this is a cemetery I've walked through many times, and like most cemeteries, it is peaceful and interesting.

Here is Emiel Peters, a horse shoer at Camp Custer in Michigan, John Waltz, a Civil War Veteran, and W.L. Stinson, a member of the Michigan Cavalry.

Epitaphs are always fascinating.

Visitors leave curious but meaningful things, to them, at gravesites.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is represented but with no details.

Some people like to pre-plan.

Kenneth Hood-Hood has since passed away and is surrounded by his family.

Having lived in Ada for more than 30 years and having attended a local church for that long, there are people residing here that I have personally known and I am always happy to stop by and pay my respects. The DeYoungs were among the first to welcome us to our new church.

The Kamp sisters were staples in the back pew of church for years and I never knew they lost a brother in WWII until I found his memorial stone.

The Carlsons are still with us.

Anna was our neighbor for many years.

Lynne was hilarious and a wonderful woman, as was Barb.

The son of a dear friend went way too soon.

And this WWII vet fought at the Battle of the Bulge.

The older portion of the cemetery is off Grand River Drive (newer sites are off Fulton).

Many veterans of many wars are resting here.

Rix Robinson could, and probably does, have a book written about him but is considered to be a founder of West Michigan and was a noted fur trader among many other things. He resides high on a hill.

A stone memorial for his two Native American wives lies down below, just off Grand River Drive.

Here's the perspective looking up the hill to Rix and then down from Rix to their stone.

At least they have a stone? The placement is still irritating.

There are always cemetery mysteries to solve and this place has been one of my favorites.