|
 This
is Fisher's Bridge over the Chippewa River in Deerfield
Nature Center just outside Mt. Pleasant Michigan, 591 acre
forest/river setting. Canoe or hike to your rustic campsite.
Eight miles of hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails.
Fish the scenic Chippewa River, which runs through or just
relax and enjoy the wildlife. Features include a sandy
swimming beach, picnicking, two swinging bridges, two canoe
landings and the Fisher Covered Bridge. Snowshoeing and
sledding.
Built: 1968, 1996
Fisher's Covered Bridge spans the Chippewa River in Isabella
County and is open only to foot traffic. Originally built in
1968, it's located on land leased for public outdoor
recreation and is managed as part of the Deerfield Nature
Park. The bridge was a well-kept local secret until its
superstructure was destroyed by fire under mysterious
circumstances on May 12 of 1995. Fortunately, its steel
frame and concrete deck were undamaged. The bridge was
rebuilt in 1996.
Construction was completed by All Season Builders of Mt.
Pleasant. The cost to rebuild the bridge was paid by an
insurance settlement and a contribution from the owner of
the leased property. In the summer of 1996, an ice cream
social was held at Fisher's Bridge to celebrate its rebirth.
For that occasion only, attendees were allowed to drive to
it. Normally, visitors must walk there along park trails.
The bridge remains a popular setting for spring and summer
weddings and formal gatherings.
Fisher's
Bridge was listed in a worldwide directory of covered
bridges for the first time in 1986. Produced by the National
Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, the
directory is a comprehensive listing of all covered bridges
identified throughout the world.
Directions: From Mt. Pleasant, follow M-20 to Deerfield
County Park. Access the bridge from the park's trailway
system.
Park Site -
http://www.isabellacounty.org/parks/dnp.html |
