The first Belle Isle Bridge under construction

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The first bridge to Belle Isle

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The first bridge to Belle Isle wasn't built with automobiles in mind.

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The first bridge to Belle Isle

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The first bridge to Belle Isle

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The first Belle Isle Bridge had a much different look than its successor.

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The first bridge to Belle Isle

Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The old Belle Isle Bridge, showing a ferry at the Belle Isle ferry dock

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The first Belle Isle Bridge, seen in 1912

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

The view as pedestrians and motorists set out on the first Belle Isle bridge

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

The first Belle Isle Bridge in 1915, the same year it burned

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

The first Belle Isle Bridge in 1912

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

The Belle Isle Bridge in 1912

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

A busy day at the Belle Isle Bridge in this undated photo

Photo from the collection of Vance Patrick