MORENCI — The annual Silver Creek Bridge Walk will take place at 11 a.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, in Morenci.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Silver Creek Bridge Walk. The tradition began in 1995, founded by Morenci residents Bob Dister and Adam Johnson. They envisioned an alternative to the famous Mackinac Bridge Walk, given Morenci’s unique position as the southernmost town in Michigan with the southernmost bridge.
The Mackinac Bridge Walk, spanning five miles and connecting Mackinaw City in the lower peninsula to St. Ignace in the upper peninsula, has been an annual event since 1958, drawing thousands of participants. Inspired by this, the inaugural Morenci Bridge Walk took place over the Murray D. Van Wagoner Bridge at the southern end of East Street (M-156), attracting 450 guests.
The Murray D. Van Wagoner Bridge, constructed in the 1930s, was part of plans for a Michigan-to-Florida tourist route known as the Taft Highway. The entrance into Michigan passed over the new Van Wagoner Bridge into Morenci, marking a significant development in local infrastructure.
The Van Wagoner bridge was used for the Silver Creek Bridge Walk until 2005, when the historic truss bridge was first used. The historic truss bridge, constructed in 1893, once carried automotive traffic across a stream in Hillsdale County. It was refurbished and brought to Morenci through a project by the Michigan Department of Transportation as a “Welcome to Michigan” site. The pedestrian bridge runs parallel to the Van Wagoner bridge on M-156 along the Michigan-Ohio border.
The Silver Creek Bridge Walk is a much shorter and leisurely alternative to its northern counterpart. While the Mackinac Bridge measures five miles, Morenci’s bridge is only about 83 feet long. The water depth at the Straits of Mackinac is 20 fathoms, or about 120 feet, compared to Silver Creek’s mere third of a fathom. The northern walk typically takes two hours to complete, while Morenci’s walk can be completed in 20 to 25 seconds.
Over the years, the event has garnered support from various local organizations, partnering with either the Kiwanis Club or Chamber of Commerce to raise funds for community causes. This year, the Kiwanis Club of Morenci is partnering with Morenci Area Schools, with proceeds supporting staff recognition initiatives.
This year’s event will once again open the microphone to showcase speeches by anyone wishing to participate, each limited to just 60 seconds — short and sweet, just like our bridge. That generally includes representatives from local organizations and politicians.
Guests from across the county, region, and state are invited to join in the celebration, with a hot dog lunch provided by the Kiwanis Club of Morenci. Commemorative T-shirts will be for sale at the event.
