Historical Construction Album
Herman D. Ellis, chief photographer for the Mackinac Bridge Authority, took thousands of black and white and color photographs, along with thousands of feet of 16-mm color film of bridge construction.
Mr. Ellis supplied the basic photography for three twenty-eight-minute 16-mm color sound films: "Mackinac Bridge Diary" for the American Bridge Division; "Getting a Toehold in the Straits" for Merrit-Chapman & Scott; and a promotional film for the Pre-Pakt Concrete Company.
Mr. Ellis had two assistants, Mickey Duggan and Harold Bell. Here is just a sampling of some of the still photos taken by Mr. Ellis and his skillful and daring crew during construction of the Mackinac Bridge.
Click an image to enlarge
Herman D. Ellis
Dr. David B. Steinman
Caisson afloat - August 31, 1954
Pier 11 - October 19, 1954
Survey platform - October 21, 1954
Loading dolomite - October 23, 1954
Caisson dredging - October 29, 1954
Pier 18 - December 1, 1954
South anchorage - January 10, 1955
Winter pause - January 18, 1955
North tower - July 5, 1955
Creeper derrick - July 28, 1955
Tower construction - August 9, 1955
Moving skyward - September 28, 1955
North tower - October 14, 1955
Piers in place - October 26, 1955
Pier 16 - November 19, 1955
Towing backstay span - December 18, 1955
Building the catwalk - May 23, 1956
Catwalk contruction - June 6, 1956
East catwalk - June 15, 1956
Shift change - October 19, 1956
Checking diameter - October 20, 1956
Placing temporary bands - October 20, 1956
Late winter view - March 4, 1957
Lifting lateral beams - May 2, 1957
Steel connection - May 17, 1957
Truss delivery by barge - June 20, 1957
Lifting truss - June 20, 1957
Deck construction - August 27, 1957
Asphalt overlay - October 1, 1957
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