Grand River Bridges: Steel Truss and Concrete Bowstring Bridges

Robert (Bob) Hulley

Today when driving on Ontario’s modern highways we hardly know when we are crossing a bridge because most modern superstructures are beneath the road surface and out of sight. In the blink of an eye we could have crossed even moderate large rivers or streams. Of course, it wasn’t always that way and the graceful arches and steel configurations of bridges built around the turn of the last century were all visible and lent an interesting break to what might have been an otherwise rather mundane trip. Many bridges acted as landmarks, almost like huge mile markers to the seasoned motorist.

In East Garafraxa Township, for example, just to the west of Orangeville, Ontario, both a Steel Truss and a Concrete Bowstring bridge still exist and stand large and visible. No one could fail to realize that they were crossing the Grand River on either one of these distinctive and unique bridges.

Because they are only one concession apart both bridges can be seen by taking a loop either by heading south from County Road 9 or by heading north from County Road 3. The bridges are little used today because the roads leading to them are unpaved, and few travelers other than local residents and a few sightseers have any reason to use them. It’s almost worth a side trip just to see the bridges. The rural setting adds intrigue to their majesty which, in their time, were considered to be engineering masterpieces.

The older of the two is a steel truss bridge located on the 13th Line. It was built in 1908 by the Hamilton Bridge Works Company. Wood gave way to steel in the mid 1800’s and various forms of long span steel bridges were developed to fill the needs of the railways. As a consequence steel truss bridges also became the design of choice on southern Ontario roads during the same period.

The 12th Line Bridge is known as a single span six panel Pratt style riveted medium weight bridge. It measures 124.2 feet in length with a roadbed of 16.8 feet. It has additional diagonals on the two central panels. The top cords run parallel to the roadbed.

Its connections are riveted and probably were sub-assembled at a factory in Hamilton and shipped to the site by rail and then riveted in place under the supervision of the Company’s Engineer. It now sits on concrete abutments which at some stage probably replaced or covered the original stone work. The bridge is unusual in that its beams are constructed from two “U” beams with steel plates on top and “V” lacing below. Another unique feature is that it has the maker’s plaque still remains on the portal bracing which in addition to the Company’s name gives their location and date of construction. Unfortunately, this information is partly obscured by a height restriction sign.

In 1904 just prior to the 13th line steel bridge being constructed a Frenchman designed an all concrete bowstring bridge. The idea was simple; two long arches would continuously encase the roadbed by wrapping the vertical members down and under and becoming part of the deck. The concrete arch bridge has a number of advantages over steel. It was cheaper to build, could be built on a skew and did not require deep abutments. The first bridge of this type to be built in Canada was in 1909 on the Middle Road across the Etobicoke Creek near Toronto. By the mid twenties some 65 bridges of this type were built and most were located in Ontario. By World War II, however, the construction of concrete bowstring bridges had all but ended. The Ontario Department of Highways for example, built its last two 1931.

Although neither the name of the builder and Consulting Engineer of the 12th Line Bowstring Bridge are known, Frank Barber was active in designing this type of bridge at that time. Contractors by the name of Bowman and Conner built a number of similar bridges in adjoining Wellington County. It is likely that either one or both were involved in the construction of this bridge.

The multi span concrete Bowstring Bridge on the 12th Line is unique. It was built at the height of the great depression in 1923. More than likely it was built as part of the Government’s “make work” program to prime the pump and get the economy working again. In addition, the bridge is a rare design since it is a multi span double arch bridge built on a skew and supported by a concrete pier in the center.

For the most part both bridge types are disappearing from Ontario’s highways and byways. I personally miss the occasional distraction while driving along our roads and I would encourage our road engineers to promote the adaptive reuse of these bridges rather than having them removed when they need upgrading.

As Michael B. Vaughn, Q.C., Chairman, Ministry of Culture and Communications, Conservation Review Board wrote when handing down a heritage hearing decision, “There are many cases in Ontario and elsewhere where it has been found that it is not appropriate to sacrifice our built heritage on the alter of traffic efficiency.”

Black bowstring bridge is worth saving

Black bowstring bridge is worth saving
Thursday August 2 2007
Robert Hulley

A new bridge is being constructed to replace the bowstring bridge on County Road 25 just north of Grand Valley

Time is running out to save the Black bowstring concrete bridge from the wrecker's ball. Located on County Road 25 just to the north of Grand Valley, the bridge has served as a landmark in the community since it was built in 1930. The decision to replace the bowstring bridge with a modern facility was taken in the belief that a new bridge would be more functional and cost effective than restoring the existing bridge.
There are however, many heritage aspects connected with the existing bowstring bridge that go beyond financial considerations. No one, for example, would consider demolishing the Orangeville Town Hall or the old Carnegie Library in Shelburne because they are old and would cost more to restore than to build new structures. Why would cost effectiveness take precedence over preserving the heritage aspects of the Black bowstring bridge?

The existing bridge is one of the few remaining bowstring bridges in Ontario and is therefore, of local, provincial, and possibly national interest. It is a unique remnant and early example of highway bridge development in Ontario and the Black bowstring bridge is a rare example of the larger double lane bowstring bridges used by highway engineers at the time. It is one of the last bridges of this style to be built before the advent of the concrete arch bridge. It is a landmark in the community and a focal point of the surrounding landscape. It is also forms part of the Grand River Heritage River system.

The bridge is an integral and key part of the heritage character of the area. One has only to talk to the residents of Grand Valley to realize the important part the bridge has played in their everyday life. Harold Atkinson, who was seven at the time, vividly remembers the day all the school children from Number 6 school, located across the road from the bridge, were assembled to witness the ribbon cutting and pomp and ceremony the day the bridge was opened. He also remembers the day Morris Montgomery climbed to the highest point on one of the bridge's arches and stood on his head much to the astonishment and delight of the gathered crowd. Atkinson is quick to add that Montgomery went on to become a step dancing champion.

Atkinson also recalls how the townsfolk would make use of the ice below the bridge in winter as a covered skating rink.

"For some reason the snow never accumulated under the bridge", he recalled. "As children we would take our skates to school and at lunch we would don our skates and have a great time."

Pearl Newsom, a local historian, recalls the reason the bridge was originally constructed.

"In 1928 there used to be a wooden bridge that spanned the Grand at this point. It was built in 1903 by a man by the name of Black, and served the community well until a bus loaded with soldiers returning to Camp Borden, caused the bridge to collapse under its weight."

The local townspeople hastened to the rescue, including some of the village's eligible young ladies. Wayne Townsend, curator of the Dufferin County Museum recalls Velma Rounding telling him of how one of the soggy soldiers was so taken by his pretty rescuer that he eventually married her.

He also recalls, as a young man growing up in the area, that there was a large deep pool at the southeast end of the bridge. It made an excellent swimming hole that the locals loved to frequent on warm summer days. It also provided a way to show their prowess and fearlessness. Anyone brave enough to climb up one of the bridge arches and dive into the pool below earned his or her bragging rights. When I asked him if he ever did it, he proudly said, "Yes, that's when I became a man!"

So what is to become of the Black bowstring bridge now that its replacement is nearing completion? Plans are underway to demolish it, but is this the most practical step to take? After all one has only to look at the West Montrose covered bridge to see how another community cared for their heritage. Also, the City of Brampton recently won the coveted Heritage Canada Foundation's 2007 Achievement Award for restoring its prized Bowstring Bridge.

And, there is the 1991 case where the Township of Wellington unsuccessfully requested that the bowstring bridge in Eden Mills not be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act so that it too might be demolished. The Conservation Review Board of the Ministry of Culture and Communications at that time recommended among other things that, "There are many cases in Ontario and elsewhere where it has been found that it is not appropriate to sacrifice our built heritage on the alter of traffic efficiency." The county once again tried unsuccessfully in 1989 to have this decision overturned. At that time, one of the boards' recommendations "urged all parties to work towards a result which identifies and respects the inherent heritage components and value of this structure."

Retention and reworking of the existing bridge would have been the most desired outcome, but at this stage that is not going to happen. But is it too late to do anything with the old Black Bowstring Bridge other than to have it demolished?

According to David J. Cumming in his book, Discovering Heritage Bridges on Ontario's Roads, "adaptive reuse of bridges is only in its infancy in Ontario. Nevertheless realistic and feasible actions to protect bridges are encouraged by the prospect of reuse. Scenic lookout points, fishing spots, sitting areas and picnic sites are all potential new uses for bridges."

Particular sites in Ontario may well serve as excellent areas to show old and new together. Imaginative interpretative displays illustrating the various techniques of bridge building at different periods of time are particularly advantageous in entertaining and educating the tourist and scholars alike.

Perhaps what is needed now is a stay of execution until all aspects of the Black Bridge can be evaluated to consider and insure the sympathetic treatment of our heritage.

Looking back at Brampton's first hospital

Looking back at Brampton's first hospital
The Brampton Guardian Friday July 6 2007
PAM DOUGLAS, Staff Writer

A sketch of Brampton's first hospital.

BRAMPTON - The history hidden in Brampton's downtown core still has some surprises left in it.
A local historian has just revealed that, contrary to current written history, Peel Memorial Hospital's opening in 1924 with 12 beds did not mark the start of the very first hospital in Brampton.
In fact, it was three years earlier that a plucky nurse named Venus Sawyer arrived in Brampton from England, bought a house at 78 Mill St. N. and opened a 15-bed private hospital.
Sawyer's hospital came at a time when the community-- with a population of 4,527-- was in dire need of such an institution, and it was busy. In the first two years, 61 babies were born in the house-turned-hospital, 59 operations performed by local doctors looking for a more sterile environment than a patient's kitchen table, and 58 medical cases were handled.
You would never know it by looking at the building now. Although some long-time residents know the home's history, it has remained an unintentional secret for the most part. The house is not listed on the city's heritage inventory, and is not even red-flagged.
"This building is extremely historic," said Bob Hulley, the man who was alerted to the building's history by life-long resident Dean Gowling. Hulley has researched the building and wants to find out more about it. Much of his information was supplied to him by Gowling, whose brother was born in the house and whose mother kept detailed notes about early Brampton.
Hulley and current homeowner Kevin Eggett are anxious to hear from Bramptonians who may have stories or information to share about Sawyer, her family or the Mill Street house.
The passage of time has allowed her to slip into anonymity, but Hulley wants to rectify that.
"We intend to have a memorial plaque placed on the building and, as a member of the Brampton Heritage Board, move to have it listed and designated as a heritage site," Hulley said. "This is the least we could do to honour Venus Sawyer's contribution to medical advancement in the City of Brampton."
Eggett is enthusiastic about having the home recognized, and hopes to do what he can to restore some of its features.
The house is on the northeast corner of Mill and Joseph Streets. The two-storey clapboard house was built in 1902 for Alexander Hunter, who worked at the Brampton Milling Company down the street.
It has been reincarnated more than once over the years. The hospital transitioned into a nursing home, and was later sold to Jim Archdekin and his wife, who lived in it for a while and then later divided it into three rental apartments, which it remains to this day. Archdekin later became Brampton's 35th mayor, serving from 1970 to 1982.
But it was Venus Sawyer's contributions to early Brampton that Hulley wants to find out more about. She was a familiar sight in the town, riding her bicycle around, and she married a cab driver by the name of Davis.
"I think it's a terrific story of this woman. She should be recognized in some way. She's like Florence Nightingale."
A newspaper interview with Venus Sawyer's niece, Anna Wing, a British actress who appeared in the popular British TV series The EastEnders many years ago, noted Sawyer brought 600 babies into the world in Brampton. She did it using the latest techniques in hospital sanitation and cleanliness, which she learned at a London school of nursing during a time when Florence Nightingale was spreading the word about reducing patient deaths.
Brampton's history will need to be rewritten in light of this new information, and the timing--- on the eve of the opening of Brampton's next generation hospita-- makes the discovery that much more interesting, Hulley said.
He said it is a prime example of how history needs to be talked about and documented.
"Most people would look at that (the house) and say it's a piece of junk. It's far from it," he said.
But city officials can't do it all by themselves.
"It really troubles me," he said. "We shouldn't just assume that the city knows about heritage properties. It comes back again to public involvement."
Then again, "A lot of people feel that nobody cares," he said.
However, plenty of people do care, he said.
Hulley would like to see the city start a practice of posting a sign on any property for which a demolition permit has been requested, much like the way a sign is posted when a rezoning is requested.
"Before any demolition takes place, there should be a sign put on the property," he said. The same as the signs that go up when a re-zoning application is filed. Those signs are up for months before."
That way, if a property, like the one on Mill Street, is an undiscovered heritage gem, someone in the community who knows it might call and let the city know.
As president of the Brampton branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), Hulley is working with that organization to get the idea adopted by municipalities across the province.
Such a system would ensure that, if there are any other buildings like the one on Mill Street, they will not be lost forever.
"It's not listed. It's not even red-flagged," Hulley said of the Mill Street house. "The law has a loophole in it."