McCourtie Park in Somerset Center, Michigan

If you are traveling US-12 around Somerset keep your eyes open along the north side of the road or you just may miss McCourtie Park (The Bridge Park) in Somerset Center, Michigan - one of Michigan's best kept secrets. The easiest way to spot McCourtie Park is to watch for the Somerset Center signs and then either South Jackson Rd or the two strange looking trees pictured above.

McCourtie Park got its nickname 'The Bridge Park" from the key attractions of the park: 17 bridges that span the stream meandering through the park. Each bridge is its own unique design and no two bridges are exactly alike. Visitors to McCourtie Park can wander the 42 acre estate crossing the stream on the bridges or can set and enjoy nature including the variety of birds attracted to the park by the elaborate bird houses on the grounds.

It isn't however the number of bridges or the natural setting that makes McCourtie Park so unique. It is rather the bridge construction. While the bridges appear to be built from rough trees, planed lumber, heavy rope, and thatch the bridges are in reality nothing but steel rods and concrete. There is no wood at all used on any of the 17 bridges in the park.

McCourtie Park, the 'Bridge Park,' is named for the once owner of the property William H. L. McCourtie. McCourtie first came familiar with cement by W. F. Cowham of Jackson, Michigan in the late 1800s. Shortly after that McCourtie went to Dallas, Texas where he made a sizable amount of money by speculating in oil. In the 1920s McCourtie returned to his family estate in Somerset Center which was at that time named "Aiden Lair".

It's believed that during his time in Texas McCourtie discovered el trabeio rustico, (Spanish for rustic work) the Mexican tradition of sculpting wet concrete to make it look like wood. Around 1930 McCourtie hired two Mexican artists George Cardoso and Ralph Corona to construct the bridges that now decorate the W.H. L. McCourtie Estate. The two 'trees' that stand guard at the front of the property are also constructed by the same el trabeio rustico method and serve as chimneys for the underground rathskeller (an underground tavern) and garages.

Stories Connected to Aiden Lair, The McCourtie Estate, and The Bridge Park:
1) Rumor not proven - in the mid-1800s Aiden Lair was one of the stops for slaves escaping to Canada.
2) Story fact, William McCourtie offered white paint to anyone in Somerset Center to paint their houses in an attempt to beautify the town.
3) The McCourtie Estate rathskeller was frequented by Detroit automobile manufacturer Henry Ford who would join McCourtie for all night poker parties.
4) Fact the McCourtie estate is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
5) Rumor - that the same tunnels used to aid freedom bound slaves were also used for running bootleg liquor during the prohibition period in Michigan.

The most talked about story connected to McCourtie Park is "The Lady in Blue". Yes, the Bridge Park in Somerset Center, Michigan has a ghost. While she is referred to as the Lady in Blue some have said she's wearing black not blue but all say she's a beautiful lady in a long dress that wanders the grounds. Reports say the Lady in Blue has been seen around the rathskeller and drifting across the bridges in the park. There has to this point been no suggestion as to who she might be or why she roves this peaceful bridge park.

Besides the 17 bridges at McCourtie Park, Somerset Center, Michigan you will also find a large pavilion, picnic tables, and outdoor grills. Other amenities at the Bridge Park include tennis courts, playground equipment, a ball diamond, and outdoor restrooms.

Located on US-12 between US-127 and Coldwater the Bridge Park is situated on the northwest corner of S. Jackson Rd. and US-12 the unmarked entrance to McCourtie Park is off S. Jackson Rd. The park is about 10 miles west of Brooklyn, Michigan, 20 miles south of Jackson, Michigan, and 30 miles east of Coldwater, Michigan.

Other attractions near McCourtie Park include Michigan International Speedway (MIS) just south of Brooklyn, Meckley's Flavor Fruit Farm less than a mile north of the park on South Jackson Rd, and numerous quaint antique shops in Somerset Center. There are several very nice lakes within a few miles of McCourtie Park among them Lake LeAnn and Somerset Lake. Numerous motels and campgrounds can be found in or around Jackson and Brooklyn, Michigan.

On the sign at the front of McCourtie Park in Somerset Center, Michigan are the words 'At the height of the Great Depression, McCourtie offered his estate as a place "Where Friends Meet Friends and Part More Friendly."'