The Huntsville Swing Bridge. . The first swing bridge across the Muskoka River in Huntsville was a wooden structure built in 1871. It was replaced with a wooden swing bridge in 1889 to allow lake steamers and other traffic to travel through Huntsville to Mary, Fairy and Peninsula lakes. A steel swing bridge followed in 1902. Three years later, in 1905, the Portage Flyer Railway was completed between Peninsula Lake and Lake of Bays. People and freight were then able to travel by steamer and train to Lake of Bays., The present swing bridge was erected in 1938 due largely to the increasing popularity of the automobile; the steamboats were discontinued in 1958. Later the swing bridge mechanism of the bridge was dismantled; however, its most prominent architectural feature, the bridgemaster's cabin, remains. A focal point of the community, the bridge was rehabilitated in 2000, the Town of Huntsville's centennial year.
The first swing bridge across the Muskoka River in Huntsville was a wooden structure built in 1871. It was replaced with a wooden swing bridge in 1889 to allow lake steamers and other traffic to travel through Huntsville to Mary, Fairy and Peninsula lakes. A steel swing bridge followed in 1902. Three years later, in 1905, the Portage Flyer Railway was completed between Peninsula Lake and Lake of Bays. People and freight were then able to travel by steamer and train to Lake of Bays.
The present swing bridge was erected in 1938 due largely to the increasing popularity of the automobile; the steamboats were discontinued in 1958. Later the swing bridge mechanism of the bridge was dismantled; however, its most prominent architectural feature, the bridgemaster's cabin, remains. A focal point of the community, the bridge was rehabilitated in 2000, the Town of Huntsville's centennial year.
Erected by Heritage Huntsville • Ontario Heritage Foundation • District Municipality of Muskoka.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 45° 19.667′ N, 79° 12.871′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Ontario, in Muskoka District. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street East
Click or scan to see this page online
and John Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street East. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville ON P1H P1H, Canada. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 361 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and surrounding area in context. • Can you help?
