The Mini Mack

May 23, 2007

A small passion brought the world’s third largest suspension bridge to the tiny town of Farwell.
Forrest “Frosty” Wyrick started piecing together a miniature model of the Mackinac Bridge recently at Farwell High School, a project five years in the making.
Constructed from old Erector Sets, the model stands nine-and-a-half feet high and is 101 feet long, weighing 2,350 pounds.
The idea came to Wyrick after he walked the bridge one Labor Day, where he met Lawrence Rubin, the original executive secretary of the Mackinac Bridge authority, who is also the author of “Mighty Mac.”
After showing pictures of model bridges Wyrick had built in the past, Rubin assumed he was building a Mackinac Bridge for its 50th anniversary.
“He challenged me,” Wyrick said.

POPULAR TOY
He decided to construct the model using old Erector Sets, not an easy task since they are no longer made. Wyrick wanted to use Erector Sets because that was a popular toy while the bridge was being constructed.
To find as many pieces needed to build the bridge, Wyrick joined the A.C. Gilbert Heritage Society, a group of collectors of products produced by the original A.C. Gilbert Company.
After two years, Wyrick had enough pieces to build a 1/85 scale model of the Mackinac Bridge, which also allowed him to use matchbox cars on the roads as they too are 1/85 scale.
A passion for bridges and a degree in mechanical drafting engineering and design from Lake Superior State helped Wyrick in the model’s construction. Also, with the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan’s backyard, he had an opportunity to take detailed pictures of certain areas of the actual bridge while walking it during Labor Day.
He also had great references, speaking to iron workers who had worked on the bridge. Wyrick said one of the reasons he built the model was as a tribute to those workers. They all have a lot of stories to tell.”
Completely financed by himself, Wyrick has spent between $6,500-$7,000 on the project, but says it’s worth it, since it may inspire a permanent museum for the bridge.
Wyrick’s model will go on display fully finished July 14 at the national A.C. Gilbert convention in Mackinaw City. Usually, the conventions are held in metropolitan areas, but the society decided to accommodate Wyrick by having it at the Mighty Mac’s hometown.
“They said, why don’t we bring the convention up to the bridge,” he said.
People from all over the country who are interested in old toys come to the convention each year.
Wyrick has had a couple of offers to buy the bridge, but doesn’t plan to sell it. He said he hopes it will provide a reference for people when they visit the Mackinac Bridge.