13 January 2007
Trestle Bridges to Celebrate 100 Years
Constructed over three years by 5,000 workers, the Parry Sound
trestle bridge was completed in 1908 and will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year - Parry Sound Library historical
collection.
Parry Sound Ontario - June of 2008 marks the 100th
anniversary of the completion of the CPR trestle bridge that crosses over Bay Street in Parry Sound as well as the trestle bridge over
Highway 529 in Pointe Au Baril.
To mark the occasion, Parry Sound Mayor Richard Adams is calling on the public, as well as surrounding municipalities, to help
organize a commemorative event.
"These structures have long been a focal point for Parry Sound and area and the passing of this important milestone deserves an
appropriate celebration," said Mr. Adams in a letter to area municipalities. "We would like to form a committee of
interested area people to put together a celebration plan for 2008."
It took a construction crew of about 5,000 men to build the line that runs from Bolton to Sudbury.
It took that crew three years to finish the trestle bridge here in Parry Sound.
Mr. Adams, who came up with the idea of the celebration, said he wanted to commemorate the trestles because of his family history
involving the railway.
"I think it's a significant event and my family worked on the railroad in Depot Harbour," said Mr. Adams.
"I think it's a significant structure and one of the landmarks in this country in terms of the architecture of the trestle still
standing 100 years later, especially considering the engineering capabilities in those days," said Mr. Adams.
Although Mr. Adams said he's leaving the planning aspects to those on the celebration committee, he suggested the previous plan of
decorating the bridge with lights be talked about again.
In a 1906 edition of the Parry Sound North Star, a reporter detailed the construction process that began three years earlier.
"(The bridge) crosses over the Seguin River by a steel (beam) over 4,000 feet long and 110 feet above water level," said the
15 Feb 1906 article. "From Parry Sound following the east side of Georgian Bay and from 20 to 15 miles distant from
the water, the line passes through McDougall, Carling, Shawanaga, Harrison, and Wallbridge to Byng Inlet at the mouth of the
Magnetawan River."
At the time of its construction it was estimated to cost about $10,000 to build the stretch - 230 miles (370 kilometres) of rail from
Parry Sound to Sudbury.
"Although the hour was late, or rather early (at) 1:30 a.m. about five lucky people were on the platform Monday morning when the
first CPR train over the new line from Toronto to Winnipeg pulled into the station at Parry Sound," said a Thursday,
17 Jun 1908 edition of the North Star. "For three years an army of men numbering at one time as high as 5,000 and
now scarcely 1,000 have drilled, blasted, bridged, and filled their way northward for many miles though country heretofore almost
untrodden by the foot of man and today comes the shout of victory in the knowledge of a distinctive engineering triumph."
Those interested in taking part with the 2008 celebrations are asked to contact the town office by 26 Jan 2007.
A photo from a 1906 edition of the Parry Sound North Star
shows a crane lifting a span during construction of the Parry Sound trestle bridge.
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