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22-601: The bridge uses the Brown truss system, a through truss consisting of diagonal compression beams and (optionally) almost vertical tension members (slanting in at the top toward the center of the span). This system was patented by Josiah Brown of Buffalo, New York , in 1857. The Brown truss is similar to the Howe arrangement of "X" bracing and counter bracing, but uses lighter members and less timber. It contains no upright compression members and uses no iron except for bolt connectors at

44-489: A short time to high water and massive spring ice jams. Bridge builder Jared N. Bresee of Ada was given a contract in 1871 to build the present structure. Constructed at a cost of $ 1500, the bridge has lattice work trusses made of white pine timbers. As in all covered bridges, the roof and siding serve to protect the bridge timbers from rot. Repairs in 1905 and 1945 have kept the bridge safe for traffic for one hundred years. The bridge remains open to vehicular traffic, although it

66-411: A time when old covered bridges were being destroyed to make way for new road construction. Brown truss A Brown truss is a type of bridge truss , used in covered bridges . It is noted for its economical use of materials and is named after the inventor, Josiah Brown Jr., of Buffalo , New York , who patented it July 7, 1857, as US patent 17,722. The Brown truss is a box truss that

88-511: A walk." This location along the Flat was settled by two brothers from Tompkins County , New York. John W. and Silas S. Fallas settled here in 1837, founding the village, a stop on the main stage route from Ionia to Grand Rapids, and constructing a chair factory (considered an important precursor to the furniture industry in the Grand Rapids area), saw mill and grist mill . This bridge

110-425: Is a through truss (as contrasted with a deck truss ) and consists of diagonal cross compression members connected to horizontal top and bottom stringers. There may be vertical or almost vertical tension members (the diagram shows these members, while the patent application diagram does not) but there are no vertical members in compression. In practice, when used in a covered bridge , the most common application,

132-747: Is a historic district containing the remaining portions of a nineteenth century hamlet surrounding the remains of a sawmill and gristmill . The district is located near the Fallasburg Bridge , where Covered Bridge Road crosses the Flat River in Vergennes Township, Michigan . It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. In about 1837, brothers John Wesley (1812–96) and Silas S. Fallass came to West Michigan from Tompkins County, New York . The area

154-500: Is at least the second bridge across the Flat at this location, although records are unclear. It is known that a bridge was built here in 1840, and was subsequently destroyed by ice jams and flooding . At least one other predecessor to this bridge is believed to also have been constructed, and destroyed in a similar manner, but records are unclear. In 1871, Jared N. Bresee, builder of the Ada Covered Bridge in nearby Ada ,

176-539: Is typical for covered bridges, it is a frame structure with a gabled roof that is covered with creosote shingles . Its construction is of the through-truss type, and the white pine (sourced from Greenville , Michigan ) trusses are completely sheathed on the outside with rough pine boards. The floor is 14 feet (4.3 m) wide and 100 feet (30 m) long and the bridge has an inside clearance of 12 feet (3.7 m). The bridge has warning signs on each portal: "$ 5 fine for riding or driving on this bridge faster than

198-540: The Fallasburg Historic District , designated a historic district (District ID: #98001217) on March 31, 1999. The historical marker at the site reads as follows: John W. and Silas S. Fallas settled here in 1837, founded a village which soon boasted a chair factory, sawmill, and gristmill. About 1840 the first of several wooden bridges was placed across the Flat River, but all succumbed in

220-548: The Fallasburg Historical Society was dedicated to preserving the site and its open spaces from development. Thus, Fallasburg is notable as one of the few pioneer-era settlements in Michigan which survived the disruption of the railroads with a substantial portion of its historic character intact. The Fallasburg Historic District contains 14 historic structures, as well as a cemetery and the remains of

242-431: The area surrounding the mills. A school was constructed in 1842, and a post office was established in 1849. By 1860 there were two general stores in the small village, as well as a blacksmith and wagonmaker. In 1864, the saw mill was purchased by Charles Hecox, who began a small chair factory. By the same time, the gristmill had five employees, and did nearly $ 20,000 in business every year for surrounding farmers. A new school

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264-501: The improved strength over previous trusses that had members ("braces" in his terminology) come to the horizontal chord near to each other but not exactly together (at "gains" in his terminology), by having several members come together in the same place. From the patent text: I do not claim broadly furnishing the main or counter braces with gains and passing them between the timbers of the chords; What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by letters Patent, is— Providing each of

286-502: The main and counter braces with two gains at top and bottom, and each of the timbers of the chord with a gain at the point where the braces are applied corresponding with the gains in the braces, and the braces thus formed up between the timber, with the gains of the braces in such relation to the gains of the timbers that when the timbers of the chords are brought together they are combined and become, as it were, only one piece, no part of which can be operated upon or affected independently of

308-614: The other by the downward and upward thrusts common to truss bridges, even if the bolt which passes laterally through and intersects each set of braces and the timbers of the chord were removed. The Brown truss enjoyed a brief period of favor in the 1860s, and is known to have been used in four covered bridges in Michigan, the Ada Covered Bridge , the Fallasburg Bridge , Whites Bridge and one other. The design did not appear to gain wide acceptance as modern bridges tend to be Howe , Pratt , bowstring or Warren trusses. Fallasburg Historical District The Fallasburg Historic District

330-463: The timber intersections. Builders used the Brown truss successfully in at least four covered bridges in Michigan, three of which ( Ada Covered Bridge , Whites Bridge and this one) are still in existence. The Brown truss was thus briefly popular in Michigan but did not gain wide acceptance elsewhere. The bridge currently rests on concrete and fieldstone footings at each end put in place in 1905. As

352-435: The truss is protected with outside sheathing. The floor and roof are also trusses, but are horizontal and serve to give the truss rigidity. The bottoms of the diagonals tend to protrude below the sheathing. The Brown truss is noted for economy of materials as it can be built with very little metal. Brown's patent claims did not actually address the economy afforded by lack of vertical members ("braces"). Instead he focused on

374-405: Was being surveyed, and in 1839 was opened for purchase. The Fallass brothers acquired by pre-emption a section of land where Fallasburg is now located. Later that year, they constructed a sawmill on the Flat River, and in 1840 constructed a matching gristmill. J. Wesley Fallass built his own house soon after, and the unplatted hamlet of Fallassburgh (later Fallasburg) prospered as more people moved to

396-428: Was constructed in 1867. In 1875, John Wesley Fallass's sons took over operation of the mill. However, the 1850s and 1860s were the high point for Fallasburg's economy. Soon the railroad network criss-crossed Michigan, making neighboring Lowell a boomtown, but bypassing Fallasburg completely. At the same time, the sawmill closed and was torn down in 1878. The gristmill, now competing with more modern mills, declined and

418-470: Was contracted to build the present structure at a cost of $ 1500. The bridge has had repairs and strengthenings over the years, including replacement of the original abutments with concrete in 1905, and two other extensive repair sessions in 1945, and 1994. Because the various repairs and restorations were completed with "conscientious attention to detail", it is believed that the bridge has retained historic integrity and character. The adjacent grist mill site

440-597: Was damaged in 2013 after a heavy cement truck drove through it. It lies within what is now known as the Fallasburg Pioneer Village or Fallasburg Historical District , established March 31, 1999, and adjacent to the Fallasburg Park. It has a load limit of 3 tons (2.7 tonnes). The picturesque setting of Fallasburg Park displays Fallasburg Covered Bridge to perfection. Its rural location and quality construction contributed to its survival during

462-674: Was the focus of an archaeological dig by Michigan Tech industrial archaeologists in 2003. The bridge is now "a gateway to a place that time forgot," the Grand Rapids Press wrote. The Fallasburg Covered Bridge was listed with the Michigan State Register on February 12, 1959. It was awarded a Michigan Historical Marker (site S0197) on September 10, 1971. The bridge was then listed with the National Register on March 16, 1972. The bridge lies within

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484-416: Was torn down in 1912. Several businesses and residences were destroyed by fire, and in 1905 the post office was closed. Even though Fallasburg declined in the last 1800s and early 1900s, it did not disappear. Because it was a somewhat isolated location and much of the area was owned by local government, the remnants of the hamlet survived, reasonably intact, into the 21st century. In addition, in later years,

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