Mecosta County Photo Album

Four Drive Tractor Company
Located on Maple Street in Big Rapids, from a postcard, circa 1920, published by W.A. Stillwell, Big Rapids. My Great, Great Grandfather - John H. Fitch of Ludington, MI - was the inventor of that tractor and President of the company until he passed away Nov 1916. The Company produced tractors from 1916-30. Dr. GH Lynch, AV Young and WA Stillwell became the primary officers of the company after he passed. I am currently working on a website on the company and tractors as well as JH Fitch.
Submitted by Chris Dixon

Davis Bridge Hill
Located on Eight Mile Road in Mecosta Township.
Submitted by Tom Bennett

Davis Bridge
Located on Eight Mile Road in Mecosta Township.
Excerpted from a mini history written by Jan Cortez in 1987: The old wooden Davis Bridge was built in 1904 and was rebuilt or shored up to keep up with the changing conditions in the river. After the Dam (Rogers Dam) was built, there was a need for another new bridge in 1927 (the bridge pictured) and finally in 1976-77, a new steel structure was built. The steep hill was cut down and a steel and cement retaining wall was put in. Ethel Armstrong was the last one to cross the old bridge and the first one to drive across the new bridge. I remember stopping by Ethel Armstrong's house and talking with her about my mini history. She documented that old and new bridge in photographs. Every day she took pictures and had them in an album. She loved that bridge! She considered the old one an "old friend" and made new friends with the new one. Now that she is gone - I hope that her pictures will live on, as well as her memory. She was a beautiful person. I immediately liked her and shall never forget her.
Submitted by Tom Bennett