FOSTER CITY — Massey's home overlooks the East Fork of the Sturgeon River. This river flows fast enough to remain open year-round, especially during this unusually warm winter.
Tundra swans have been flying here since autumn. The Canada Geese returned a few weeks ago. Their cries can be heard inside the house, which looks like a classic red pole barn on the outside. But the river stands as a year-round barrier between the family's property and the ATV and snowmobile trails that run from Escanaba to Solberg's home in Felch Township and all the way to Sagolla.
So Justin “Buzz” Last summer, Massey and his colleagues built a bridge illuminated with blue rope lights, bright enough to be seen by motorists traveling on M-69 as they pass through Foster City each night.
“We’ve received a lot of compliments on that.” Massey said.
A 20-year employee of the Dickinson County Road Commission designed this 75-foot private suspension bridge himself.
“I wanted to cross the river.” Massey said, “So I just started drawing.”
He and some friends installed the framework on his property in June. It took about four months to complete, with the help of his 15-year-old daughter Dakota.
“I was my own engineer.” Massey said, “And I committed suicide about three times.”
However, the bridge is sound and has all the appropriate permits. The bridge is supported by two parallel cables that run along the length of the bridge, with chains attaching the cables to the deck and supporting the structure on the water.
“The heart of the bridge is the cable that runs underground.” he explained.
The goal was to provide a connection to local ATV trails without having to get on the highway. North Dakota, in neighboring Felch Township, is a sophomore at Dickinson County Schools and is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys deer hunting and fishing in the area.
They named it Morgan Bridge after the Morgan Lumber & Cedar Company sawmill operation, which was an early facility in Foster City until it closed in 1923. It has only been three and a half years since the Massies have been stationed in his W2323 M-69. Both Buzz and his wife Sarah were born and raised in Foster City, so they have some knowledge of Foster City's history.
At its peak, Morgan Lumber Co. had a company store, several company housing units, a steam engine to haul logs, a dairy farm to supply Foster City residents during the winter months, and a PowerPoint presentation. It is said that there was a field for growing wheat. “Early Dickinson County Sawmill Settlement” Compiled in 2015 by local historian William John Cummings.
Massey said the bridge is currently only open to friends and family. They wanted to take advantage of more shortcuts to the trail, but the lack of snow meant there was little opportunity to do so.
Still, ATV season should be right around the corner.