Author: canalman

Blossomland Bridge over Saint Joseph 

/ canalman / Leave a comment

Blossomland Bridge over Saint Joseph River

     The Blossomland Bridge is a bascule type bridge over the Saint Joseph River  on M63.  It is located in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Construction took place in 1947-1948.  It was completed in 1949.it was designed by consulting engineers Hazelet and Erdal from Chicago. The general contractor was W.J. Meagher and Sons from Bay City. Fee was $747,497. American Bridge and Company supplied and erected the bridge.Fee was $512,240

Blossomland Bridge over Saint Joseph River

     The bridge has seven spans. There is Scherzer rolling lift bascule main span.  The bascule span and 2 flanking spans are built of steel.deck plate girders.The northernmost and the three southernmost spans are steel stringer.  The main span is supported by machinery containing concrete piers. The approaches are supported by four column concrete piers.  The abutment and wing walls are made of concrete. At the southern corner is a stair case which leads to the location of a former railroad.

Blossomland Bridge over Saint Joseph River

     The total length of the bridge is 713 feet.  Width is 57.8 feet.  The longest span is 164 feet.  It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on 12/17/1999.

Bridge opened

     The bridge was rehab bed in 1966.

Twin Anchors Chicago

/ canalman / Leave a comment
Twin Anchors

Old Photo Twin Anchors Building

     Twin Anchors is an iconic Restaurant and Tavern located at 1655 N. Sedgwick Street in the Old Town Area of Chicago.  It is one of the oldest restaurants in the Windy City.  It is  in a three story masonry building with a tar and gravel roof.  The building dates back to 1881. As early as 1890, the first floor operated as a saloon.  This was in operation until Prohibition. 
     During Prohibition, Don and Ethel Humphrey operated a speak easy in the building.  It was named Tante Lee Soft Drinks.
Twin Anchors Front Door
     In 1932, Bob Walters and Herb Eldean opened Twin Anchors at the Sedgwick Street site.  Bob and Herb belonged to the Chicago Yacht Club thus the name Twin Anchors. Originally, there was no kitchen at the bar.  Bob’s wife used to cook dinners for the pub goers on Sunday. Eventually, A kitchen was built.

Area of the Tavern.  There are booth for diners

          The Tuzi family took over the ownership of Twin Anchors in 1978 and are still managing it.

The bar was a gift from Schlitz Company

            The restaurant currently has 2 indoor rooms 1) room with an old bar (donated by the Schlitz Company) and booths for dining 2) second room with tables and chairs.  Outdoor dining is also available.      Frank Sinatra was a frequent guest and he had multiple parties there.  Twin Anchors was mentioned in articles in multiple publications including GQ, London Times, Fortune Magnazine, Gourmet Magazine, NY Times, Chicago Tribune, Sun Times.  The restaurant was featured in 2 movies Return to Me (1999) and Dark Knight (2008)