MacKenzie Bridge

MacKenzie Bridge. . The Oldman River was often impassable due to spring run off or heavy rains. In 1903, during a particularly bad flood, several people drowned trying to cross the river and residents petitioned the Territorial and Dominion governments to build a bridge. After some debate, this site, north east of Macleod, was chosen. Construction began in the fall of 1908., The bridge was opened in Jun 9, 1909 to the delight of residents. It provided easier and safer access to the trail to Calgary and to farms located north of the river., The MacKenzie Bridge was named after Malcolm MacKenzie who was born in 1863 in Bruce County, Ontario. He moved to Macleod to practice law in partnership with F.W. Haultain beginning in 1897, and was one of the prosecutors at the trial of Charcoal for the murder of Sgt. Wilde of the NWMP. In 1905 he was the first member for Macleod elected to the legislature of the newly formed province of Alberta. In 1912 he was appointed Provincial Treasurer of Alberta but passed away in 1913 shortly after his appointment. . This historical marker is in Fort Macleod in Willow Creek District Alberta