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Just Another Floating Bridge—- Lake Champlain

Dedication to Deachman’s Bridge 1946–Photos— thanks to Laurie Yuill

Floating Bridges, Toll Gates and Typhoons– Clippings of Billings Bridge

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

So Where was this Bridge? Melanie Johnston Mason Photos Ferguson Family

More Memories of the Floating Bridge

More Notes on the Floating Bridge in Clayton

The Floating Bridge of Carleton Place — Found!

Clayton floating bridge

Searching for the Floating Bridge?

The Floating Bridges of Lanark County

The Mystery Ruins and the Floating Sidewalk Near the McNeely Bridge

The Summer of 1964

rank Hunter — Death Veiled in Mystery — Mcllquhams Bridge 1929

“Naked and Afraid” in Lanark County –McIlquham’s Bridge #2

Oct12

Bailey Bridges -Carleton Place–1960 — Opinions

Posted on October 12, 2022 by lindaseccaspina

Stories About the Train Bridge August 1900

Bailey Bridges -Carleton Place–1960 — Opinions

The trouble that Carleton Place has experienced over its bridge on the main business street has given Almonte people food for thought. While Carleton Place is suffering considerable inconvenience while the bridge is under repair at each approach, it can still maintain communication between the two sections of the town divided by the Mississippi River via two routes. Light traffic can use the roadway and bridge over the river at the Bates & innes mill.

But as this is private property it is only with the consent of the owners that this alternative route is kept open. The surface is pot-holed now and the additional traffic will make it worse. There are flagmen there during the day but none at night. No trespassing signs have always been posted by the owners so those who use the road and bridge do so at their own risk. It is said, too, that the town has done nothing to assure the mill owners that it will spend money to repair the roadway when the main bridge is open again.

Another route which will take heavy traffic is the bypass over the river and railway track which leads off highway 15 around the town. While this means a couple of miles to cover what used to be done in a couple of hundred feet over the bridge under repair, it is a fact that if the tie-up had occurred a year ago this route would not exist.

It is interesting to consider what would happen in Almonte if any damage had to be repaired at either end of the main bridge here. It would be necessary to divert traffic over the decrepit back bridge : on Main Street and over the pict- ‘ uresque stone bridge which has been repaired a couple of times in the last year. I Weight Limited | There is a warning on the old iron bridge limiting loads to five [tons. Heavier loads use it at their own risk and one of these days when too much weight is put on it j those who know are sure it will crash into the river which is quite a few feet down in a sort of a ravine. But even if a mishap like this did happen and traffic was interrupted on the big steel bridge on Bridge Street— whoever thought o f that name had a great imagination— it would mean that all vehicles and loads weighing more than five tons would be unable to pass through this town. Heavy laden trucks having business in- one section or another would have to go around Blakeney to get over a stream that can be crossed in a minute on the present bridge.

Temporary Solution In Carleton Place it is said that a Bailey bridge will be erected to handle one-lane traffic until the work is completed on the main structure. Meanwhile, fire equipment in the neighbouring town has been divided with one pumper on one side of the river and the other on the opposite side. This gives both sections of the town ample protection because in case of a bad fire requiring both engines the one could be brought around to the other side in plenty of time. Even if the local back bridge is a disgrace on a provincial highway such as 44 it would at least look after light traffic if the main bridge were ever tied up for repairs

Central Bridge 1960 Photo Carleton Place and Beckwith Museum

Linda Seccaspina On my group there were comments that it was a Bailey bridge – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailey_bridge
The Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge. It was developed by the British during World War II for military use and saw extensive use by British, Canadian and US military engineering units

One of the best photos I have seen of that side of Bridge Street—FACE-LIFTING AT CARLETON PLACE Repairs to Carleton Place’s Main Street bridge may be more complicated than anticipated as work ‘ progresses. A two-part bailey-bridge has been laid across the span reopening the bridge to traffic after a week’s shutdown. Workmen have discovered more repair work is needed under the bridge and the job is not expected to end in three weeks but it could be extended. In the meantime, trucks must use the Perth Highway to cross the river. Cars used the Bates-Innes private bridge and road during the one week shutdown. Work is continuing 12 hours a day with a good deal of noise added to the downtown area. FGP Photos–The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
07 Oct 1960, Fri • Page 11

The Strongest Bridge on the Mississippi River — Ferguson Falls Bridge

Just Another Floating Bridge—- Lake Champlain

Dedication to Deachman’s Bridge 1946–Photos— thanks to Laurie Yuill

Floating Bridges, Toll Gates and Typhoons– Clippings of Billings Bridge

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

So Where was this Bridge? Melanie Johnston Mason Photos Ferguson Family

More Memories of the Floating Bridge

More Notes on the Floating Bridge in Clayton

The Floating Bridge of Carleton Place — Found!

Clayton floating bridge

Searching for the Floating Bridge?

The Floating Bridges of Lanark County

The Mystery Ruins and the Floating Sidewalk Near the McNeely Bridge

The Summer of 1964

rank Hunter — Death Veiled in Mystery — Mcllquhams Bridge 1929

“Naked and Afraid” in Lanark County –McIlquham’s Bridge #2

How to Really Catch Fish With Dynamite at the Glen Isle Bridge

Aug10

The Strongest Bridge on the Mississippi River — Ferguson Falls Bridge

Posted on August 10, 2022 by lindaseccaspina

The Strongest Bridge on the Mississippi River — Ferguson Falls Bridge

Photo from The Canadian Mississippi River Paperback – Jan. 1 1988

by Hilda Geddes (Author)

CLIPPED FROM
The Lanark Era
Lanark, Ontario, Canada11 May 1898, Wed • Page 4

CLIPPED FROM
The Weekly British Whig
Kingston, Ontario, Canada25 Apr 1901, Thu • Page 10

There have been several bridges in Ferguson Falls. No one really knows when the first one was built but a map from the area in 1869 shows one. A second bridge was built in the 1880s which had hemlock sleepers 45 feet long with a 15 inch face. They were scored and hewed for $7.50 each.

The next bridge was built in 1919 and the present one in 1968. This is the ONLY bridge on the Mississippi River that withstood the results of the Crotch Lake disaster of 1857. All the other bridges were wiped out. Thanks to the toughness of the Ferguson Falls bridge the people of the village got the warning in time to pile boulders on the bridge and thus save it. Read-Did You Know About the Crotch Lake Disaster?

CLIPPED FROM
The Lanark Era
Lanark, Ontario, Canada15 Jan 1913, Wed • Page

CLIPPED FROM
The Weekly British Whig
Kingston, Ontario, Canada19 Feb 1917, Mon • Page 5

CLIPPED FROM
The Lanark Era
Lanark, Ontario, Canada04 Dec 1918, Wed • Page 8

CLIPPED FROM
The Kingston Whig-Standard
Kingston, Ontario, Canada11 Apr 1918, Thu • Page 13

CLIPPED FROM
The Kingston Whig-Standard
Kingston, Ontario, Canada13 Jun 1968, Thu • Page 33

Just Another Floating Bridge—- Lake Champlain

Dedication to Deachman’s Bridge 1946–Photos— thanks to Laurie Yuill

Floating Bridges, Toll Gates and Typhoons– Clippings of Billings Bridge

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

So Where was this Bridge? Melanie Johnston Mason Photos Ferguson Family

More Memories of the Floating Bridge

More Notes on the Floating Bridge in Clayton

The Floating Bridge of Carleton Place — Found!

Clayton floating bridge

Searching for the Floating Bridge?

The Floating Bridges of Lanark County

The Mystery Ruins and the Floating Sidewalk Near the McNeely Bridge

The Summer of 1964

rank Hunter — Death Veiled in Mystery — Mcllquhams Bridge 1929

“Naked and Afraid” in Lanark County –McIlquham’s Bridge #2

Feb3

Rosamond History– The “Damn” Dam Case 1870

Posted on February 3, 2022 by lindaseccaspina

Rosamond History– The “Damn” Dam Case 1870

No 1 Mill– the dam that would have been taken out would be at the top of the falls.

Jan 1871 Almonte Gazette

The Dam Case — Some time during last summer four of the employees of B. & W. Rosamond & Co. were charged before a Justice of the Peace with the crime of tearing away and destroying 60 feet of the dam at the long wooden bridge leading to No. 1 mill. The case was tried a t the Perth assizes in October, and a true bill against the four men was found by the Grand Jury.

The judge, however, had no time to try the case and it was left over to the Quarter sessions — the result of the trial being that the four men were found guilty and sentenced to three months imprisonment in the common Jail.

It is rather hard for the men to be thus incarcerated, for the facts are that the men were ordered by their employers to go out and destroy the dam, and that they (the employers) would stand between them and all harm, ensuring the men at the same time that they had the highest legal authority for doing so.

Under the circumstances we think it is a pity that the majesty of the law could not have been vindicated quite as well by a much shorter period of imprisonment. Since the trial we have heard but one universal opinion expressed In the affair, and that is, a strong feeling of sympathy for the four employees.

In 1862 Bennett Rosamond and his brother William leased the Victoria Woolen Mills from their father under the partnership of B & W Rosamond and embarked upon a programme of rapid expansion. In 1866, they brought into the firm, now renamed B & W Rosamond & Co-MVTM

Bridge on Pinehurst

photo almonte.com

Built by Bennett Rosamond, president and managing director of the Rosamond Woollen Company, one of the largest woollen mills in Canada at the time. In 1884, he started to clear his land on the “Point” in a quiet and secluded area known as Brookdale Park, and by March 1890, had announced contracts for construction of Pinehurst, “the handsomest house” at the “prettiest location in town.” This was followed by a lodge (1892), a grapery (1894), and two outbuildings (1895). Later, an iron bridge was built on the road leading to Pinehurst from No. 1 Mill and a stone wall was built along the driveway.

photo almonte.com

Nov11

So Where was this Bridge? Melanie Johnston Mason Photos Ferguson Family

Posted on November 11, 2021 by lindaseccaspina

Frank Hunter — Death Veiled in Mystery — Mcllquhams Bridge 1929

So Where was this Bridge? Melanie Johnston Mason Photos Ferguson Family

Melanie Johnston Mason
**November 6 at 1:46 PM** ·

Allan James Ferguson and Amelia Jane Ferguson children of James Allan Ferguson and Jane McCallum

Melanie Johnston Mason
**November 6 at 1:46 PM** ·

Allan James Ferguson son of James Allan Ferguson and Jane McCallum

I thought it was the floating bridge at Clayton. It wasn’t…

Brian MunroDoubt it. Bridge seems too short

Wayne Reid Brian Munro and no stumps sticking up either

Stuart McIntoshThere were hills near both ends of the floating bridge. Many of the earlier wooden bridges were constructed this way but this one doesn’t appear to be long enough to be the floating bridge below Taylor Lake.

Stuart McIntoshDon’t know these folks and the landmarks are unfamiliar but the fences in the background may indicate a bridge on a private laneway like Lornie Wark used to have. We got stuck on it one snowy night after a Christmas concert.

Joan Armstrong Ken MacDonald wasn’t there a floating bridge down the 11th conc (MUNRO Line)? Haven’t been down there for years.

Ken MacDonald Joan Armstrong yes there was one on the 11thconcession of Lanark but it was longer than this as well, swampy on north end and no real flat farm land on the other.It went across to Robertsons and Elmer Yuills towards Galbraith

So there you have it and these photos from the Ferguson family. Any ideas?

“Naked and Afraid” in Lanark County –McIlquham’s Bridge #2

The Bridge that Floated on Clayton Lake

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

Down by the Old Pike Hole–The Island Bridges of Carleton Place- Before and After

More Memories of the Floating Bridge

More Notes on the Floating Bridge in Clayton

The Floating Bridge of Carleton Place — Found!

Clayton floating bridge

Searching for the Floating Bridge?

The Floating Bridges of Lanark County

The Mystery Ruins and the Floating Sidewalk Near the McNeely Bridge

Stories About Deachman’s Bridge?

Why the Appleton Bridge Collapsed…

The Day the Appleton Bridge Collapsed

Lawsuits in Carleton Place — The Collapse of the Appleton Bridge

Geddes Rapids Bridge 1903 — Dalhousie Lake

John Lyons John Campbell & Morphy Appleton Bridge Settlements

Oct1

The House on the Cliff and the Old Bridge

Posted on October 1, 2021 by lindaseccaspina

The House on the Cliff and the Old Bridge

Postcard Sally Tuffin read-Almonte Bridge- Unsurpassed in the County

September 1964 — Almonte Gazette

Work is well on its way to demolish the stone bridge that was so much admired for a great many years as a masterpiece of the mason’s craftsmanship. It presented quite a problem to the contractors . It is understood they intend to remove as much of it as possible from each end on the surface and then drop the rest of it into the gorge from which the larger stones will have to be retrieved.

It is likely that destruction of this sturdy stone span will present about as much trouble as erection of the new single span which will have no mid- piers but only abutments at each end. As the stone bridge comes down it becomes more apparent that it never could have withstood the heavy traffic for very long even If it had been wide enough.

The Town Council’s chief headache in connection with the new bridge is described in the underlines beneath the cut that appears above. The Council has been criticized for not grappling with these problems sooner and for leaving it to the last minute as has been the case.

It is said that some members thought they could get a fair sum of money for the old residence, but they soon found out that this was not the case especially when contractors who looked at it agreed that it could not be moved. It is said that there is little money to be made into a ring down sturdy frame house as much of the lumber is destroyed for building purposes in the process.

**1964– the house on the cliff1964– the house on the cliff**

Not much is known about the history of this house. It had little land around it. The backyard was close to the cliff that leads down to Cannon Falls . However, people who lived in it years ago said it was a comfortable dwelling. But with the cliff behind it and the highway at its front door, it was a poor place to bring up young children. How the Council is going to get this building out of the way by Oct. 2nd when it is now Sept. 24th is anyone ’s guess. Maybe the fairies will wave magic wands over it and say hocus- pocus you old house —jump into the Bay.

Frank BlakeleyWhen the stone from the bridge was being hauled away, my dad intercepted the dump trucks, and had the drivers drop their load of stone off the edge of our property on Hope St. for fill. On the way out, the drivers got a beer for their trouble.

Aug19

A Drive to Pakenham 2008 with Updates

Posted on August 19, 2021 by lindaseccaspina

The view shows the carding mill, planing mill and cheese factory.

BY JANICE KENNEDY– 2008– What did you do? I spent a perfectly languid summer day doing perfectly languid summertime things getting out of town, enjoying the scenery, strolling, nibbling and browsing. Could you be a little more specific? Sure. I went to Pakenham, part of greater “Mississippi Mills.” The little village on the Ottawa Valley version of the Mississippi River is barely more than a half-hour from downtown Ottawa, so it’s a drive-in-the-country destination that doesn’t impoverish you at the gas pump. Why Pakenham? There are lots of little villages around Ottawa, aren’t there? There are indeed, many of them certainly worth a daytrip. But what’s appealing about Pakenham, besides the proximity and prettiness of the place, is its ambience.

Some visitors might call it sleepy and it does seem to be the antithesis of bustling but I prefer to think of it as laid-back. A visit to Pakenham is an undeniably leisurely affair. Is that code for “leave the kids at home?” Maybe. What I like about Pakenham is the opposite of what appeals to my two young grandsons, whose tastes run more to water parks and go-kart tracks. If you don’t count the ice cream, Pakenham’s attractions tend to be more adult-oriented. Tell me about them. The village is both attractive and historic. At nearly 200 years old, it seems to have a settled sense of self.

Many of the houses some of them meticulously restored or maintained with their original character reflect the 19th-century love of Regency and Classic Revival architectural styles. In fact, if your interests run that way, you can take a detailed historical walking tour of Pakenham, guided by a helpful little pamphlet available free at most village businesses.

Dating back to the 1840s, Pakenham’s general store is thought to be the oldest continually operated general store on the continent. With everything from fresh baked goods to brass beds, it’s a great place to browse. What’s the highlight? Pakenham’s landmark is The Bridge. If you come by way of Kinburn Side Road, the exit you take from Highway 417, you enter the village by way of its famous stone bridge (“the only five-arch stone bridge in North -America,” tourist literature boasts). It’s an impressive structure, built in 1901 with locally cruarried stone cut in the squared look of the time, suggesting solidity and endurance. Small riverside parks by the bridge allow you to get a good look at the five sturdy spans and, on the north side, to listen to the rushing burble of the water over what is called Little Falls.

Pakenham’s century-old bridge is the only five-arch stone span bridge in North America. Then there is 5 Span Feed and Seed (“We feed your needs”). Besides agricultural and cottage supplies, 5 Span also sells outdoor clothing and local maple syrup appropriately, since Pakenham is in Lanark County, the heart of Ontario maple country. Which reminds me: A visit to Pakenham could happily accommodate a short jaunt to Fulton’s, the sugar bush just a few minutes outside town (directions at fultons.ca). Sounds wonderful, but aren’t you forgetting something?

Did you not mention Ice cream? I certainly did. Summertime’s easy livin’ , should always include at least one afternoon stroll by the river or in this case, relaxation on one of the park benches near the landmark bridge to contemplate the flow of the Mississippi a homemade waffle cone in hand filled with the smooth, cool glories of ice cream. In Pakenham, you can get your dose of frozen decadence at Scoop’s (111 Waba, just off the main street) or at the General Store. Either way, it’s a short walk to the river.

OK, I confess. Right next to the feed and seed suppliers, a small stand operated by local Cedar Hill Berry Farm was selling red, ripe and irresistible fresh strawberries. With visions of shortcake dancing in my head, I picked up a litre and doubled back to Watt’s Cooking? for a package of fresh tea biscuits (not quite shortcake, but close enough). That evening, in little more time than it takes to whip up a bowl of cream, we had our glorious old-fashioned summer dessert thanks to our Pakenham daytrip. I guess you could call that a sweet ending to a pretty sweet day? I guess you could, although it also made for a sweet beginning the next morning.

This was written inThe Ottawa Citizen==Ottawa, Ontario, Canada26 Jul 2008, Sat • Page 64

Restaurants updated

Centennial Restaurant ($$) read-History Clippings of the the Centennial Restaurant – Pakenham
Canadian
Distance: 0.31 miles

Copper Kettle Restaurant & Pakenham Inn ($$)
Canadian
Distance: 0.31 miles

Penny’s Fudge Factory

Cartwright Springs ($$)
Breweries
Distance: 2.77 miles

Law and Orders Pakenham

Service options: TakeoutAddress: 239 Deer Run Rd Unit 2, Pakenham, ON K0A 2X0

Hours:

Saturday	11a.m.–6p.m.
Sunday	11a.m.–5p.m.
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	11a.m.–6p.m.

3 Apples Bakery5.0 (5) · Bakery2544 County Rd No 29 · (613) 883-3358

Related reading

Jun18

Clippings of MacLan Bridge– Buchanan’s Scrapbooks

Posted on June 18, 2021 by lindaseccaspina

Clippings of MacLan Bridge– Buchanan’s Scrapbooks

With files from The Keeper of the Scrapbooks — Christina ‘tina’ Camelon Buchanan — Thanks to Diane Juby— click here..

The settlement was founded by Daniel Shipman,

who built the first successful mills in the 1820s, built a bridge across the

river at the site of the current Maclan Bridge, laid out the street grid on

the south side of the river in the 1830s, and built a house on the south

side of the river c1835. Another early settler, Edward Mitcheson, built a

grist mill on the site of the current Almonte Flour Mill c1848 and laid out

much of the street grid on the north side of the river. By 1850, Shipman

and Mitcheson had created much of the street and lot pattern at the core

of the community. All of these features survive in downtown Almonte

Today.

Arriving from the north along Queen Street, one descends a gentle slope towards the Maclan Bridge.Before arriving at the bridge, a threshold is marked by a distinct collection of stately homes and a tight assembly of commercial buildings, which beckons the traveller to the commercial centre that lies beyond the bridge. Upon entering the bridge, one is struck by the commanding old Town Hall, set against a vast river landscape that opens up on both sides of the bridge. The sense of arrival is experienced first when arriving on the south shore of the river, and again at the intersection of Mill and Bridge Streets.

The Maclan Bridge serves as the approximate eastern boundary of the historic urban centre of Almonte, and the views from each side reflect this condition. The view to the east is a pastoral scene dominated by the treed riverbanks, and is largely rural in character. Looking west, the view includes the Town Hall, the Wylie Mill, CPR Bridge, and the first waterfall. The houses on the north bank are largely hidden by trees, although the Wylie and Menzies houses are prominent. The view reflecting the milling era remains largely intact.

Mississippi Mills- Heritage Ottawa

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
21 Sep 1926, Tue • Page 12

Over the Falls- June 1984

Tears From the Old Gears of the Mills

Down by the Mississippi River- Almonte Falls Photos 50s

Apr16

The Back Bridge of Almonte April 1960

Posted on April 16, 2021 by lindaseccaspina

Geddes Rapids Bridge 1903 — Dalhousie Lake

Those who are in a position to observe traffic going over the back bridge feel sure that it is only a matter of time until some overloaded vehicle crashes through the ancient structure into the river many feet below. The term overloaded does not mean that a truck is carrying an excessive weight in the ordinary sense of the term but only that it is too heavy for the frail bridge. Notices at each end of this ‘horse-and-buggy” span- warns that combined vehicle and load must not exceed five tons.

That is the same limit that is put on old wooden structures on the back country roads which are now being replaced by safer and more modern links. But this back bridge is in a different class from a glorified culvert on a secondary road—it is a span on highway 44 and because it was built about 80 years ago– the exact date is on the plate— it no longer meets the requirements of heavy trucks.

Many people have little sympathy with these huge vehicles which have made it hard for the railways while ruining the highways that must be kept up by taxpayers, many of whom haven’t even got a car. But the fact remains they are here to stay in spite of the great damage they do and the nuisance they create. So the situation posed by the inadequate bridge is a bad one.

It means that all these big transports must go through the main street of the town by one route or another. They are hard on the streets and the noise they make is worse than the trains. It puts Almonte in about as bad a position as Carleton Place was in before the Provincial Government got around to building a highway bridge there that would divert through traffic from the main street of that town.

The one bridge over the river in Carleton Place was at least capable of handling any weight up to a reasonable point. read – Down by the Old Pike Hole–The Island Bridges of Carleton Place- Before and After

But this back bridge as stated before has a five ton limit. That daring or careless drivers do not observe this is a well known fact. Observers say they often hold their breath as a big transport dashes across in defiance of the warning signs. Someday it will go down and if there is no loss of life it will not, perhaps, be considered in the light of a calamity. Almonte Gazette April 1960

May 20, 1950–Almonte Gazette

Probably there is no more meaningless legend on a traffic sign anywhere than the one that adorns the “ back bridge” on Main Street. It says that loads going over the old structure must not exceed five tons. Being a link in Provincial Highway 44 many of the loads that pass over the decrepit span are nearer 15 tons than five.

John Lyons John Campbell & Morphy Appleton Bridge Settlements

The Bridge that Floated on Clayton Lake

More on The Floating Bridge– Memories of Lyall McKay

More Memories of the Floating Bridge

More Notes on the Floating Bridge in Clayton

The Floating Bridge of Carleton Place — Found!

Clayton floating bridge

Searching for the Floating Bridge?

The Floating Bridges of Lanark County

The Mystery Ruins and the Floating Sidewalk Near the McNeely Bridge

Stories About Deachman’s Bridge?

Why the Appleton Bridge Collapsed…

The Day the Appleton Bridge Collapsed

Lawsuits in Carleton Place — The Collapse of the Appleton Bridge

Apr7

Geddes Rapids Bridge 1903 — Dalhousie Lake

Posted on April 7, 2021 by lindaseccaspina