Blue Water Bridge Plaza, 410 Elmwood Street, Port Huron, St. Clair County, MI

Significance: The bridge and plaza were completed in 1938. They are reflections of Depression-era engineering and architecture. The plaza was designed and built by George L. Harvey and Norman B. Forbes. The building style, Art Moderne, with its streamlined effect of the smooth concrete surface, the rounded corners and the horizontal banding expressed a feeling of modernity sought by Depression-era designers. The plaza has been in continuous use since completion. The vehicle inspection shelters were constructed in 1955, the same year a fifth toll booth was added. Alteration to the plaza have been made through the years under a continuing maintenance and improvement program. These alterations include roof line changes to the booths, full enclosure of the booths, lighting and equipment changes, and resurfacing of the plaza deck. The significance of the Customs/Toll Plaza lies in its architectural style and its transportation association with the bridge.

Survey number: HAER MI-16

Building/structure dates: 1937-1938 Initial Construction

Building/structure dates: 1948 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1953 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1954 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1955 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1957 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1960 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1964 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1976-1977 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1979 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1980 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1982 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1983 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: 1981 Subsequent Work

border inspection stations administration buildings commerce customs inspections government officials security toll collection concession traffic engineering transportation industry civil service entrances government facilities concrete buildings port huron blue bridge plaza blue water bridge plaza elmwood elmwood street port huron clair clair county michigan toll plazas tollbooths parking lots parking garages art moderne architectural elements american bridge company austin company barker fowler electric company joseph a bower carter halls aldinger d valentine brothers detroit steel products company e basel and company e c nolan and son fw dodge corporation norman forbes j f gould gresley and company grover company hg christman company fred hammond john lyle harrington george l harvey historic american engineering record jd chandler roofing company jh baker and sons james ferguson and son frank m master paul w mcallister michigan department of transportation missouri valley bridge and iron works modjeski and masters ohio plate glass company sarnia port huron port huron sarnia ferry company russell construction company sarnia bridge company maynard d smith sprague and henwood state bridge commission v t steinbaugh joseph strauss walter h wyeth and company wisconsin bridge and iron works wyeth and harman company inc wyeth and harman yeager bridge and culvert works photo ultra high resolution high resolution automobile cars gas station car detroit publishing company photograph collection library of congress water supply

1969 - 1980

Library of Congress

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