Essex County has officially honored one of its most iconic structures with the unveiling of a new commemorative plaque for the historic River Canard Bridge. The ceremony recognized the 88-year-old bridge as both a vital transportation link and a significant historical landmark.
A Bridge Through Time
The River Canard Bridge has connected the communities of Amherstburg and LaSalle since its construction in 1937, serving as a crucial crossing point during the challenging economic period of the Great Depression. The new plaque, installed through a partnership between Ontario Heritage Trust, Essex County, and the municipalities of Amherstburg and LaSalle, celebrates the bridge's enduring legacy.
Anthony Leardi, MPP for Essex, emphasized the bridge's cultural significance in a statement, noting that "the bow bridge over River Canard is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Essex County" and appears in countless local artworks displayed in homes throughout the region.
Engineering Marvel of Its Era
The bridge's distinctive bowstring design represents the architectural and engineering innovations that defined Depression-era Ontario. According to the newly installed plaque, the structure measures 36.3 metres long and 7.32 metres wide, featuring a single-spanned parabolic arch supported by 11 vertical concrete hangers on each side.
John Ecker, chair of Ontario Heritage Trust, explained that "this bridge represents a moment in time when Ontario was rapidly becoming modern, requiring innovative engineering and design solutions to meet the challenges of the day." The reinforced concrete design was part of a provincial public works program that provided much-needed employment during the 1930s while replacing older wood truss and steel bridges with stronger structures capable of handling increasing automobile traffic.
Community Pride and Historical Significance
The plaque text describes the bridge as "an example of early 20th-century concrete engineering in Ontario" that "combined structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal, and it quickly became the pride of the community." The designation also notes how the bridge frames the nearby church, creating a picturesque scene that symbolizes both civil engineering innovation and local heritage investment.
While the current structure dates to 1937, the history of bridges at this crossing point extends much further back, with the first River Canard bridge constructed in 1793 to serve one of Ontario's earliest French Canadian settlements. Today, few of the original bowstring bridges from this era remain standing, making the River Canard Bridge a rare and cherished example of Depression-era infrastructure.
Ecker concluded that the bridge stands as "a remnant of a bygone era and is cherished by its community," ensuring that this important piece of Essex County's history will be recognized and preserved for future generations.
