The Silver Bridge. June, 2001. The original bridge in this location was built between 1929 and the mid 1930's. It was a lengthy and difficult job because of the extensive blasting and rock removal required to nestle the roadway into the precarious rocky hill that surrounded this area of the Muskoka River known as Bracebridge Bay. The bridge formed a vital link for the Ferguson Highway, later to become Highway 11, which it remained until the 1950's when it was relocated to the east. Previously, all traffic coming into Bracebridge had to cross the river on Bird's Bridge just upstream. The two branches of the Muskoka River running through Bracebridge and many waterfalls created a need for several bridges in this area., The Silver Bridge has been a landmark for Bracebridge for many years. In 1938 the Hydro Commission placed coloured lights on the bridge to lift the spirits of the residents: having just experienced a difficult depression and with the grim prospect of another world war looming before them, the lights have remained since: an ongoing symbol of hope and pride for the Bracebridge community. The bridge was rehabilitated in 2001.
The original bridge in this location was built between 1929 and the mid 1930's. It was a lengthy and difficult job because of the extensive blasting and rock removal required to nestle the roadway into the precarious rocky hill that surrounded this area of the Muskoka River known as Bracebridge Bay. The bridge formed a vital link for the Ferguson Highway, later to become Highway 11, which it remained until the 1950's when it was relocated to the east. Previously, all traffic coming into Bracebridge had to cross the river on Bird's Bridge just upstream. The two branches of the Muskoka River running through Bracebridge and many waterfalls created a need for several bridges in this area.
The Silver Bridge has been a landmark for Bracebridge for many years. In 1938 the Hydro Commission placed coloured lights on the bridge to lift the spirits of the residents: having just experienced a difficult depression and with the grim prospect of another world war looming before them, the lights have remained since: an ongoing symbol of hope and pride for the Bracebridge community. The bridge was rehabilitated in 2001.
Erected by District Municipality of Muskoka Town of Bracebridge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 45° 2.369′ N, 79° 18.495′ W. Marker is in Bracebridge, Ontario, in Muskoka District. It is on Ecclestone Drive (Highway 16) just south of Ontario Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Ecclestone Dr, Bracebridge ON P1L 1S4, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country, in Muskoka and Parry Sound and Algonquin Park. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America,
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the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 21 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Explorers of Muskoka & Haliburton (approx. 19.6 kilometers away).
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 595 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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