Dundurn B in Hamilton, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge
1932
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2023
1. Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge Marker
Architect: John Lyle
Builder: Hamilton Bridge Company
Short span steel
Cantilever
Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act
Erected by City of Hamilton.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 43° 16.751′ N, 79° 53.453′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Ontario. It is in Dundurn B. It is at the intersection of York Boulevard and Dundurn Street North, on the right when traveling east on York Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamilton ON L8R 2A4, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area, and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area. It is also in Central Canada. 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, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Desjardins Canal Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); The Boathouse Community (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Thomas Baker McQuesten, 1882-1948 (approx. half a kilometer away); Treaty Council at Burlington Heights/ Conseil du Traitι a Burlington Heights (approx. half a kilometer away); "The Burlington Races" 1813 (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The Hamilton Naturalists Club (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); March to Stoney Creek (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Burlington Heights 1813 - 1814 (approx. 0.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.
Also see . . .
this page online
The Hamilton and Milton Road Company had a toll roadway that entered Hamilton by Burlington Heights. However, the company decided it would be advantageous to construct a second bridge. The bridge was so poorly constructed that it was eventually closed down. In 1896, a properly constructed high level bridge was built over the Desjardins Canal. The steel arch which was the substructure of the bridge spanned over 180 feet. The bridge was able to withstand the weight of pedestrians, horses and carriages. The development of the North American automobile placed a new strain on the bridge. The structure of the bridge was unable to withstand the weight of heavy automobile traffic and narrow roadway had become dangerous to traverse. Reports also surfaced that the bridge would sway under heavy traffic. The bridge remained in place, however, proposals for the improvement of the bridge and the city's north-west entrance would result in it being dismantled to make way for the high level bridge.(Submitted on April 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 23, 2023
2. Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge Marker
1932
3. The High-Level (later named for Thomas B. McQuesten) Bridge, 1932
Hamilton Public Library Special Collections (public domain)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 7, 2025
4. Thomas B. McQuesten High Level Bridge, 2025
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
