#8  MEMORIAL BRIDGE

The bridge you are walking on is the fifth bridge to cross the St. Joseph River at this location. This bridge was built in 1927 to honor the military soldiers and sailors who died in battle during World War I. When Havilah Beardsley platted the City of Elkhart in 1832, access across the river was via a series of rope ferries that he operated, charging a toll to cross. The History Hike for Fitness is made possible through a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, our bridge to the future.