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Red Japanese Bridge, The Friendship Bridge, Huntsville Alabama

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Real Estate Agent with Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL

Red Japanese Bridge, The Friendship Bridge, Huntsville Alabama

In the middle of downtown Huntsville Alabama a.k.a "The Rocket City" is Big Spring Park which surrounds "Big Spring" the original water source for the the city of Huntsville...Huntsville in turn sprang up around "Big Spring".  At the northwest end of Big Spring Park you will find a very prominent feature...the Red Japanese Bridge known as "Friendship Bridge". 

Big Spring Park displays gifts to the city from other countries such as a fog bell and light beacon from Norway, a  sundial from Germany, a park bench from the United Kingdom and my favorite; the "Friendship Bridge" from Japan.  In the mid '60's then Lieutenant Colonel Mikio Kimata attended the Redstone Arsenal's Ordinance Guided Missile School Program.  His way of thanking Huntsville Alabama for the hospitality he received was to donate 60 Japanese Cherry trees and later the "Friendship Bridge", celebrating the United States Bicentennial and the "Friendship Bridge" was formally dedicated May 3, 1977.

Red Japanese Bridge, The Friendship Bridge, Huntsville Alabama

Red Japanese Bridge, The Friendship Bridge, Huntsville Alabama

Red Japanese Bridge, The Friendship Bridge, Huntsville Alabama

 

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Nick T Pappas

If you need a knowledgeable real estate professional in Madison Alabama or Huntsville Alabama area, why don't you let me Google that for you! I also know outstanding agents in all states and Canada should you need help relocating to a new area.


 

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Comments(11)

Maggie McFarland
RE/MAX Pearland - Maggie McFarland - Pearland, TX
Pearland Realtor, Homes for Sale in Pearland Texas

Hi Nick! Great pictures! Love how the red on that bridge stands out!

Jul 18, 2011 12:26 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Nick what a great story about this bridge and more importantly how generous of this Japanese Colonel

Jul 18, 2011 12:28 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Nick , it does make quite a statement and I love how it has a history!

Jul 18, 2011 01:52 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Nick, that was a very generous thing for that Lieutenant Colonel from Japan to do.

Jul 18, 2011 02:07 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Nick, These are the treasures that make any community world class, in my opinion. Love it. Nicely presented!

Jul 18, 2011 03:39 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Nick, what a great story to go with that bridge. Great photos!

Jul 19, 2011 01:56 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Nick, it looks like the birds and ducks like hanging out at the bridge.  We have Japanese Gardens in Birmingham that I haven't visited in years....it would be a great place for me to experiment with my new camera.

Jul 19, 2011 02:05 AM
Barb & Sal Dragotta
Macomb, MI
Macomb County Michigan

Nick...how appropriate that this bridge is designed in this manner; the simplicity of the structure; the manner of the placement in the landscape; the use of the Red & White colors of the Japanese flag.  To top it off, even the birds seem to be mixing breeds while on this bridge.  Great human interest--history--& Huntsville localism.  have a great rest of the week.

Barb

Jul 19, 2011 06:41 AM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Nick ~ I'll bet when those Japanese Cherry trees blossom it is a sight to see, from the bridge of course!

Jul 19, 2011 08:59 AM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Maggie-that color definitely pops.

Endre-I know of other cities that have received gifts of gratitude...treat people right.

Ellen-just need to look under the "layers"...there's always a story...reminds of the post you did about layers.

George-I thought it was a very nice way to show appreciation.

William-Huntsville is actually a very international community...so there's a lot to discover here.

Jackie-thanks, hopefully I can get to a few more of these stories.

Ann-there were a lot more birds...mostly ducks and geese...I was waiting to be attacked by them for invading their territory.

Barb-I really do like the Japanese approach to design and art.  And yes, some of those birds did look a little motley!

Dawn-yes they are...just a little out of season right now.

Jul 19, 2011 09:57 AM
Marie Graham
Owner, The Refreshed Home White Plains NY - White Plains, NY
Westchester County Interior Decorator, Home Stager

Great localism post!  Nick-you do a nice job of introducing your city to others-thanks!

Jul 19, 2011 11:35 AM