Sturgeon Bay (Michigan Street) Bridge

A Door County Veterans Memorial

Site

Michigan Street across Sturgeon Bay

built

1931

State Register of Historic Places

2007

National Register of Historic Places

2008

Team

  • Charles Keller and Howard Parsons Harrington, Keller & Harrington (Chicago)

  • Wausau Iron Works (Wausau)

  • Citizens for Our Bridge (CfOB), Inc. (DBA ‘Steel Bridge Creative Foundation’)

 
 
“The Sturgeon Bay [Michigan Street] Bridge is the only overhead truss, Scherzer-type, double-leaf, rolling-lift Bascule Bridge that remains in Wisconsin. It has experienced little change since it was constructed in 1931, and remains an excellent example of its type. The bridge maintains its segmental girder, which permits its movement, as well as its Warren and Parker through-trusses that were incorporated to help withstand the sweeping winds of Sturgeon Bay. Additionally, the bridge design was provided by the prominent Chicago firm of Keller & Harrington, which was started by Charles Heller and Howard Parsons Harrington. Both Keller and Harrington had gained bascule and rolling-lift expertise while they were employed with the Charles Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company of Chicago. The firm designed several prominent and impressive bridges across the country. The Sturgeon Bay Bridge is a significant representation of their engineering work.”
— National Register of Historic Places Registration, 2008

OPENING DEDICATION

July 4th, 1931, “To those who gave their services to their country in times of emergency”, dedicated by Wisconsin’s Governor Philip La Follette.

The Sturgeon Bay Bridge was the first free structure to offer passage over Sturgeon Bay.

ongoing work

Citizens for Our Bridge, Inc. (CfOB) DBA 'Steel Bridge Creative Foundation' is a not-for-profit (501(c)3) organization dedicated to preserving, promoting and supporting the nationally significant historic Sturgeon Bay (Michigan Street) Bridge (a Door County Veterans Memorial) and the Historic Downtown District located in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wisconsin, while stimulating and fostering the Sturgeon Bay collaborative music and arts scene through community outreach, education and creative events.