The history of Smith’s Bridge
This old postcard shows Smith's Bridge over Smith's Bayou in Spring Lake Township, which are both named for Hezekiah Smith, an African-American citizen of the 19th century.
Smith’s Bridge, 1914
There is an African-American man whose name is much more familiar to us, though many may have never heard of him. Hezekiah Smith moved to the area in 1847. It is unclear whether he was an escaped slave or not.
Smith initially found work as a blacksmith; then, in 1853, he began purchasing land in Spring Lake Township. Smith used this land to farm, and by 1860 he had “won for himself not only the respect and friendly regard of all who know him, but a high position in rank among the agriculturists of the county,” according to the Grand Haven News, a newspaper predating the Tribune. Two years later, he would win awards for his apples, peaches, watermelons, carrots and cabbages; but later that year he had listed his farm for sale.
Smith was president of the Colored People’s Convention, which contained citizens from Ottawa and Muskegon counties, and in 1860 he was nominated to serve as a delegate to the state convention to fight for the right of suffrage. He later went as a representative to the 1894 Equal Rights convention in Grand Rapids.
Hezekiah Smith’s land became a beacon for escaped slaves. While the Underground Railroad had presumably stopped in the Tri-Cities area on the path to Canada, some felt safe enough to remain. A small community of African-Americans grew to nearly three dozen families who inhabited his land. Historians disagree as to the reasons, but the colony would soon dispatch. However, the land Hezekiah Smith had owned surrounded what is still known today as Smith’s Bayou, and Smith’s Bridge also bears the name of this hard-working man.
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Smith’s Bridge timeline
1985 – City takes jurisdiction of West Spring Lake Road from Pine Street to 168th Avenue, which includes Smith’s Bridge.
2008 – Mill pavement, expansion joint replacement, pier jackets, new HMA pavement. Cost: $227,000.
2012 – Weight limit reduced from 68 tons to 58 tons.
2013 – Weight limit reduced to 55 tons.
2016 – Bridge Inspection completed. Report recommends, “With the condition of the superstructure, it is prudent to begin planning for bridge replacement.”
2016 – Submitted grant application to Michigan Department of Transportation Local Bridge Program. MDOT contacts city advising Local Bridge Program does not have the funds the city is applying for, 363 applications, there is approximately $40 million, Ferrysburg is requesting 25 percent of available funds.
2016 – Weight limit reduced to 35 tons.
2017 – Bridge Inspection completed. Overall condition of the superstructure (deck) is poor.
2017 – Submitted grant application to MDOT Local Bridge Program.
2017 – Engineers recommend replacement within five years.
2017 – Milling and repaving is not recommended, if box beams are in poor condition, milling would likely break the top of the concrete. If so, would need complete replacement of damaged beams.
2017 – Submitted grant application to MDOT Local Bridge Program.
2017 – City voters reject millage request for 3 mills for 20 years, 607-355.
April 2018 – Bridge inspection completed. Report states deck deterioration is more prevalent and accelerating since previous inspection.
2018 – Submitted grant applications to MDOT Local Bridge Program and federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Transportation Discretionary grant program.
2018 – Met with Michigan Department of Environmental Quality representative to discuss permitting process.
October 2018 – Bridge inspection completed. Report states, “Without doing some rehabilitation work, it is likely that further reduction in load posting, a single or total bridge closure will be required in the future.”
January 2019 – City officials participated in a conference call with U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga’s office and federal grant reviewers to receive suggestions for future grant applications.
2019 – Bridge inspection completed. Report states, “The overall condition of the superstructure is serious.”
2019 – Weight limit reduced to 20 tons and prohibits truck traffic.
2019 – Submitted MDOT Local Bridge Program.
June 21, 2019 – Smith’s Bridge is closed.
July 2019 – Submitting grant application for federal B.U.I.L.D. grant.