History
The bridge is not the first bridge to span this section of the St. Joseph River. In 1887 a swollen St. Joseph River swept away a bridge that was about two blocks from the current bridge location. The current bridge was constructed in 1887 by nearby Parkville builder Pierce Bodmer. Both Lockport and Nottawa Township commissioned the bridge which cost about $3,000. The bridge is named for Thomas W. Langley and family, pioneers who helped establish the village of Centreville in the mid-19th century. Langley was the very first settler in Centreville.Restoration work
In the 1940s, as motor vehicle traffic started to replace the horse and buggy and foot traffic, the added weight and vibration began causing damage to the bridge and abutments and required repair. "The road commission was flooded with requests from all parts of the state and surrounding states to do everything possible to keep the covered bridge intact." The Elkhart Bridge and Iron Works was awarded the contract to fix the bridge. The 1950-51 project was to give the bridge a new under structure at a cost of $35,885. In September 1950 the bridge was closed to traffic so work could begin and did not reopen till August 1951. During the closure "All the load carrying elements of the bridge were changed from wood to steel or concrete. The old flooring was replaced with two by fours creosoted." When the bridge was again in need of major repair, the St. Joseph County Road Commission hired Anlaan Corporation to perform the restoration work. All of the siding was removed from the bridge and the roof was replaced. The asphalt that had been added to road decking was removed and returned to wood planking. The cost of the 2008-09 repair was almost $1 million. During this Restoration project two Height Restrictor portal frames and signs were added. In 2023, St. Joseph County plans to replace all the steel underpinnings of the bridge. The bridge reopened to traffic on Jan. 12, 2024.Replacement
In 1964 the bridge became the center of controversy when the then county road official wanted to widen the road between Centreville and Vicksburg.Tourism
Many of the covered bridges in Michigan and other states no longer exist, and the Langley Covered Bridge is consequently considered a historic site and tourist attraction. For almost 130 years the covered bridge has been a scenic point for travelers, and artists and photographers hoping to capture the changing shadows of the bridge. The bridge draws history and bridge buffs to see the longest covered bridge in Michigan. People also come to fish from inside the bridge.Facts and figures
The bridge spans across the river, it is made up of three spans and is made of theOther events
The bridge has been a symbol of the village of Centreville for a century. Since 1975 the village's annual summer festival has been called Covered Bridge Days. A local newspaper that operated in 1960 used the sketch of the bridge as its logo at different times. The Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce hosted what was billed a once-in-a-lifetime event, in which the bridge was closed to host a charity dinner. The event was done in coordination with the county road commission that had some planned deck work on the bridge.Photo gallery
See also
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External links
*{{Commons category-inline Buildings and structures in St. Joseph County, Michigan Bridges completed in 1887 Covered bridges in Michigan Wooden bridges in Michigan Tourist attractions in St. Joseph County, Michigan Howe truss bridges in the United States Road bridges in Michigan