Smiths of Mackinaw City Enjoy 50 Year Bridge Ceremony as Much as First

Roseanna and Lawton Smith of Mackinaw City attended Mackinac Bridge anniversary events November 1 at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace.

Bundled up against the cold, Lawton and Roseanna Smith of Mackinaw City got to Bridge View Park early November 1 to get front row seats to view the ceremonies marking the opening of the Mackinac Bridge 50 years ago. The couple attended the opening celebration of the bridge November 1, 1957.

"The opening was so wonderful for both sides of the bridge," remembers Mr. Smith. "It was a very impressive event."

For the last 17 years, the couple has helped organize and schedule 50 volunteers, who hand out certificates to walkers during the Mackinac Bridge Walk each Labor Day.

They retired from their volunteer positions this year. They both are 91 years old.

The couple moved to the area part-time from Kalamazoo in 1952, and in 1987, they made Mackinaw City their permanent home.

Before the bridge was built, Mr. Smith said, they used to take one of the car ferries to St. Ignace before driving to Sault Ste. Marie to watch freighters pass through the Soo Locks.