18) Oldenburg Cable Suspension Bridge

Oldenburg Cable Suspension Bridge

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The Oldenburg Cable Suspension Bridge was originally located to the East of this signage, across the current highway. Many settlers lived in the area west of the Whitemouth River but their school and church lay across the river in Oldenburg. Children attending school had to cross the winter ice, or walk two miles north to the railway bridge leading to Seven Sisters near the present-day Hutterite colony. In 1934, the local people got together and built a wooden foot bridge across the river. This cut over four miles and about an hour off the children's morning and afternoon walks to and from school. However, high water flows each spring washed out the bridge, which then required rebuilding each year. In 1949, some locals went to the engineers at Seven Sisters, who made the plans for a cable suspension bridge, and asked for assistance with the bridge. The request was a success. These engineers not only made the plans for the bridge but also provided the supplies and materials, and oversaw its construction. This enabled the settlers year-round access to Oldenburg, as the bridge was above high-water levels. The bridge was used for about 15 years, when vandalism and the elements made it unsafe. By this time, roads became much better and everyone had a vehicle, making the bridge unnecessary. In 1969, the Trans-Canada Highway was rerouted southward and this route is now Provincial Trunk Highway 44. The upright steel beams, the cables and guy ropes are all that remain. Some of the old structure can still be seen when canoeing down the river.

Additional Details

Civic Number: N/A; Driving Tour Signage located on Whitetail Road; Click HERE to view coordinates. l Amenities on Site: N/A l Building on Site: No

Oldenburg Suspension Bridge (October 2013)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough