Lake Street Bridge, Spanning Ruddiman Creek at Lake Shore Drive, Muskegon, Muskegon County, MI

Significance: The Lake Street stone arch vehicular bridge in Muskegon, Michigan, is significant because it is representative of a brief period in the evolution in design of American bridges. Relatively few stone bridges were constructed in the nation during the era from 1867 to 1897, and fewer still remain as examples of this type of construction. Presently, only a half dozen remain in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The difficulty and time involved in construction such spans, and the cost to do so, limited the number actually built. The Lake Street Bridge is a remnant of a distinctive method of construction which flourishes only briefly and sporadically in the Great Lakes area during the last half of the nineteenth century. The concrete pedestrian bridge serves a utilitarian purpose providing a safe means for pedestrians to cross Ruddiman Creek. It also provides an undisturbed place from which to view the above stone arch bridge at close range, as well as the scenic views of Ruddiman Creek and Muskegon Lake.
Survey number: HAER MI-15
Building/structure dates: 1891 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1986