Grandpa’s Bridges

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”~Theodore Roosevelt

Some projects just take longer than others! It’s a lesson I already knew, but was getting another example of it in my current project. To make matters more complicated, right in the middle of the time consuming project, I got a phone call. It was Camp Pendleton, asking if I could make a quilt for a child who’s parent was getting deployed. I’ve posted about this project that I work for before. If you want a recap, or to re-read all about the Camp Pendleton quilts I make, check out the link below.

It’s Fun To Sew For The ASYMCA!

I knew I wouldn’t have a new blog post for this week because my project was far from finished. Then while out walking I had an idea! It’s not a story about sewing this week, but about my Grandpa, Bert Johnson, and the creative thing he built in town. I walk on it everytime I go for a walk. I drive over it everytime I’m on that side of town. It’s the canal bridges!

Grandpa worked for the City of Dos Palos, and this was a big project for them. The project would include two pedestrian walkways over the canal, and a car bridge over the canal further down the road. This is the canal where I found Ken, and took his photo shoot. I mentioned in that blog post that Ken was on Grandpa’s bridge, and that it was a story for another time. Well, it’s time! To revisit Ken’s canal adventure, or in case you missed it, the link is below.

I’m Just Ken

Grandpa always thought outside of the box. He was creative and could make use of things that others would think were garbage. He was an original upcycler!

The pictures are all dated 1973. If the city was anything like it is today, money is always tight. Things always need updating and fixing, yet little towns aren’t always funded adequately to keep up. So how do you build two pedestrian bridges and a car bridge with not a lot of money? You use what you have. In this case, it was broken cement pieces!

The original bridges had wooden posts and rails to keep people from falling in the canal. Wood rots, and something more substantial needed to be built.

So the city workers went to work building cement walls, using broken cement pieces as their bricks.

For the car bridge pipes were first laid so the water could flow under the street.

Three large pipes were laid. The building in the back is Del Hale Hall. Behind it is O’Banion park. This building has looked exactly like this up until a year ago. The county added onto it and it will be the site of a new Dos Palos Library! I’m really excited for it’s opening. One change every 51 years isn’t much!

They filled in around the pipes after a retaining wall was built, out of more cement bricks of course!

Filling in the bridge so it can be paved.

Hard at work on the car bridge!

The metal grates are to help keep garbage out of the pipes so they don’t get blocked under the street. All of the bridges have these little features that have always made me think of a castle.

Working on those “castle” like details.

All of which are still there today!

Grandpa’s ingenuity has passed the test of time and are a unique feature in our little town.

The car bridge that connects the two neighborhoods still works, and those pipes are still flowing with water.

While out on a walk I spotted some kids walking to school with their mom. One wanted to walk on top of Grandpa’s wall. What a fun little adventure on the way to school! I’m not the only one delighted with Grandpa’s build.

At the same time the walkways and bridge was built, a fountain was built in a small park. It was also made out of old concrete pieces. Over time the mechanisms inside the fountain died and the parts became obsolete. The city decided to tear it down, but replace it with a new one. Here is the new one that stands where the old one once was.

It’s right in the center of the newly remodeled park. Some things do change in small towns, when you have dedicated people in charge, and working hard to make a difference.

If you read the placard that is in the park you get a little town history about the park. You might also recognize a familiar name. Yep, Michael was the Mayor of Dos Palos at the time and worked with city officials to get some grants for improvements to the city. At the end of his term he was the most accomplished Mayor that Dos Palos had ever had, leaving with the longest proclamation in city history.

But that’s a story for another time!

Grandpa’s bridges are still standing strong for not only the community to enjoy, but as a monument to his creativity and determination to see a job done, and done well!

When I walk across I always think of him and smile at his ingenuity.

For the family members that never got to meet him, they can go visit the bridges, and get a glimpse of the unique man that he was.

Here’s Russell and Baby Bert, visiting Grandpa’s bridges last year.

Grandpa’s bridges always remind me that where there’s a will there’s a way. You might not think you do not have the resources to do something, but if you use what you have you’ll get the job done anyways!

Thanks Grandpa, for having a great idea, working hard, and making it so well that it’s lasted!

I like to think that I inherited some of Grandpa’s “Johnson Ingenuity”. Just wait until I build a bridge out of fabric, HA!

As for me, onto the next!