Regina in Sherwood No. 159, Saskatchewan — The Prairie Region (North America)

The Evolution of a Bridge

cmh2315fl via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0), May 27, 2015

1. The Evolution of a Bridge Marker

Inscription.

The Evolution of a Bridge. . In 1883 the CPR and its business partner, the Canada North-West Land Company, spent more than $14,000 in the new Regina town site digging a well, grading five streets, and building a dam. That dam was the first control structure on Pile of Bones creek. It crossed the water between Angus and Albert Streets, approximately one block west of the present day Albert Memorial Bridge. Constructed of three-inch planks and banked with earth, the dam was in constant need of repair. While the combination dam and fourteen foot wide bridge allowed for only a single lane of traffic, it did provide a way across the creek. In 1901, flooding caused extensive damage to the bridge. Repairs were made, and a spillway was constructed to prevent similar flood damage from occurring again., In 1908, the Provincial government decided to construct a new distinctive, arch style, concrete bridge and dam on Albert Street. It engaged the Parsons Construction Company to undertake the work, including constructing some retaining walls and using horse drawn scrapers to level and clean the contiguous lake bed. This was a busy year on what was now known as Wascana Creek. There were crews working on the new Albert Street Bridge, the lake, the retaining structures, and further upstream to the southeast, the new Broad Street Bridge., In 1930 the Albert Memorial Bridge was constructed. The discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922 influenced the architectural design of the 256 metre long bridge, which is Egyptian in style. At each entry of the bridge are obelisk-like towers, while lotus flowers and papyrus plants enhance the terra-cotta balusters and lamp posts. The entry towers are adorned with images of Queen Victoria, while the lamp posts feature buffalo heads. This reflects Regina's growth from Pile of Bones to the Queen City. The Albert Memorial Bridge, which was named after Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, was refurbished in 1988 at the cost of $1.4 million.,

“The large ornate bridge which crossed a fifty foot creek was a target for derision for many years and none would see beauty in it … However time has erased the scornful criticism and with a more prosperous generation, the public grudgingly conceded the relief program of 1930 provided a fine entrance for the capital city.” – Marguerite E. Robinson, Pile O' Bones: History of Wascana Creek

In 1883 the CPR and its business partner, the Canada North-West Land Company, spent more than $14,000 in the new Regina town site digging a well, grading five streets, and building a dam. That dam was the first control structure on Pile of Bones creek. It crossed the water between Angus and Albert Streets, approximately one block west of the present day Albert Memorial Bridge. Constructed of three-inch planks and banked with earth, the dam was in constant need of repair. While the combination dam and fourteen foot wide bridge allowed for only a single lane of traffic, it did provide a way across the creek. In 1901, flooding caused extensive damage to the bridge. Repairs were made, and a spillway was constructed to prevent similar flood damage from occurring again.

In 1908, the Provincial government decided to construct a new distinctive, arch style, concrete bridge and dam on Albert Street. It engaged the Parsons Construction Company to undertake the work, including constructing some retaining walls and using horse drawn scrapers to level and clean the contiguous lake bed. This was a busy year on what was now known as Wascana Creek. There were crews working on the new Albert Street Bridge, the lake, the retaining structures, and further upstream to the southeast, the new Broad Street Bridge.

In 1930 the Albert Memorial Bridge was constructed. The discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922 influenced the architectural design of the 256 metre long bridge, which is Egyptian in style. At each entry of the bridge are obelisk-like towers, while lotus flowers and papyrus plants enhance the terra-cotta balusters and lamp posts. The entry towers are adorned with images of Queen Victoria, while the lamp posts feature buffalo heads. This reflects Regina's growth from Pile of Bones to the Queen City. The Albert Memorial Bridge,

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which was named after Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, was refurbished in 1988 at the cost of $1.4 million.

“The large ornate bridge which crossed a fifty foot creek was a target for derision for many years and none would see beauty in it … However time has erased the scornful criticism and with a more prosperous generation, the public grudgingly conceded the relief program of 1930 provided a fine entrance for the capital city.” – Marguerite E. Robinson, Pile O' Bones: History of Wascana Creek

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 50° 26.165′ N, 104° 37.073′ W. Marker is in Regina, Saskatchewan, in Sherwood No. 159. It can be reached from Walter Scott Way just north of Legislative Drive when traveling north. Marker is immediately east of the Albert Memorial Bridge, on the pedestrian path along Wascana Lake. It is not accessible from the bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Regina SK S4P 2V9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in Southeast Saskatchewan.

It is also in the Prairies.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony

and also Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Regina's Lake 1883–1960 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pile of Bones Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); The Albert Memorial Bridge (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Military Nurses of Canada / Les infirmières militaires du Canada (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Saskatchewan Legislative Building (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Saskatchewan Government Telephones Head Office (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Chief Payepot (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Regina Land Titles Building (approx. 1.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Regina.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 587 times since then and 44 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 30, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.