Historic Bridges of the U.S. | Highland Drive Bridge

Contact webmaster

On this page: Photos · Map · Essay · Facts · Categories · Update Log · Sources · Comments

Photos

< Previous (1 of 15) Next >

The North Approach

This delightful 1939 arch bridge was built with lannon stone, a common material used for depression era arch bridges in this area. The stone is actually dolomite but takes its name from the area from which it is quarried. This bridge is located in Cedarburg, on Highland Drive, and crosses the Milwaukee River. There is yet another dam on the river here.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (2 of 15) Next >

The government plaques

The bridge was built in 1939 and it appears to have been built with federal funds. Note that FDR's name appears on the plaque.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (3 of 15) Next >

The Northwest Sidewalk

The government plaques, described above, can be seen mounted on the railing.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (4 of 15) Next >

The east railing and deck

There is a chamber below the deck on the north end of this bridge, about where the camera is placed.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (5 of 15) Next >

The south approach and deck

The bridge deck appears to curve, but this is an optical illusion. The deck is straight, but both approaches curve coming into the bridge, causing the illusion.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (6 of 15) Next >

Light standard

There are four of these charming light standards and fixtures.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (7 of 15) Next >

The south approach and portal

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (8 of 15) Next >

The west face

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (9 of 15) Next >

Oblique view of the arch

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (10 of 15) Next >

Detail of light standard

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (11 of 15) Next >

The east view of the arch

Notice the stairwell and door across the river.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (12 of 15) Next >

Yet, another dam on the Milwaukee River

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (13 of 15) Next >

Emergency Spillway

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (14 of 15) Next >

The stairwell

This stairwell is on the east face of the bridge and leads to a steel door.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

< Previous (15 of 15) Next >

The east face and view of the door

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in August 2007

Map

Vicinity Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Lannon Stone

Written by J.R. Manning

Many structures in Southeastern Wisconsin, especially in the Milwaukee area, are constructed with materials known as "Lannon Stone" and "Cream City Brick." Milwaukee, in fact, is known as "The Cream City" but it has nothing to do with Wisconsin's reputation as "America's Dairyland."

Lannon Stone is actually dolomite. It's a type of limestone that runs through The Niagara Escarpment, which runs underneath most of the Great Lakes. In an area northwest of Milwaukee, in Waukesha County, the stone was found right on the surface. Settlers built thick-walled homes from the stone that they just lifted from the surface.

William Lannon was one of those settlers, and he recognized an opportunity. Quarries sprang up around an area surrounding "Lannon Springs" and the limestone that was quarried there became known as "Lannon Stone." Today, stone homes are actually frame structures covered with a veneer of Lannon Stone.

Many bridges in Southeastern Wisconsin, like this one, were built in the depression era and clad with a veneer of Lannon Stone. (See the listings of bridges in Milwaukee County.)

Lannon Stone was widely used in the construction of structures in the Milwaukee County Parks. It is still widely used today, and in the Milwaukee County bridge listings, you will find some modern bridges, as well as replacement bridges, that are clad in Lannon Stone.

Cream City Brick can also be found in many Milwaukee area structures, including bridges. The soil in southeastern Wisconsin is red lacustrine clay. When it was used in the manufacture of bricks, the clay turned a yellowish-cream color when fired. So many structures in the Milwaukee area were built using the bricks that visitors began to call Milwaukee "The Cream City." As a result, the bricks became known as "Cream City Brick." It was shipped widely, and many lighthouses around the Great Lakes, and buildings in Chicago, were constructed with Cream City Bricks.

As you look at the bridges in Southeastern Wisconsin, you will see many of them are clad with Lannon Stone and some with Cream City Brick. You might also notice many buildings and homes, in the background, that use these distinctive materials.

Facts

Overview: Concrete arch bridge with stone facing over Milwaukee River on Highland Drive in Cedarburg
Location: Cedarburg, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin
Status: Open to traffic
History: Built 1939
Design: Closed-spandrel arch
Dimensions: Length of largest span: 88.9 ft.
Total length: 88.9 ft.
Deck width: 28.5 ft.
Recognition: Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Approximate latitude, longitude: +43.30020, -87.97525 (decimal degrees)
43°18'01" N, 87°58'31" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Inventory number: BH 34898 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Inspection (as of 09/2006): Deck condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Good (7 out of 9)
Sufficiency rating: 80.0 (out of 100)
Average daily traffic (as of 2004): 1,200

Update Log

April 6, 2008: Updated by J.R. Manning: Added bridge to new category, Lannon Stone
March 28, 2008: Essay added by J.R. Manning
February 3, 2008: New photos from J.R. Manning

Sources

J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net

Comments

Post a comment here · Contact webmaster