Waterford in Norfolk County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Black Bridge Centennial Festival
August 12 and 13, 2016
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026
1. The Black Bridge Centennial Festival Marker
In 1916 the Lake Erie & Northern Railway began offering passenger and freight service on a north-south route between Port Dover and Galt.
The Black Bridge was constructed to enable service on the line to move freely across the heavy east-west rail traffic already passing through Waterford. Full service on the line continued until 1955 and freight flag service until 1969. In 1984 CP Rail reactivated some track including the Black Bridge to connect the Hamilton and Nanticoke Steel Plants but this was discontinued in the early 1990s.
Through the work of the Waterford Heritage Trail Association the old Lake Erie & Northern rail line was converted into a recreational trail and in June 2012 after major renovations the Black Bridge re-opened as part of the Waterford Heritage Trail providing the final link in the trail system from Port Dover to Brantford.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 42° 55.94′ N, 80° 18.273′ W. Marker is in Waterford, Ontario, in Norfolk County. It can be reached from L.E. & North Trail. The marker is on the elevated portion of the Black Bridge trestle, affixed to the centre of the trestle span, on the west side. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area and in Southwestern Ontario. 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 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Shadow Lake (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (about 120 meters away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); a different marker also named Shadow Lake (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Bridge Park (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); The Founding of Waterford (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Founding of Simcoe (approx. 10.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Waterford.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026
2. The Black Bridge Centennial Festival Marker
Centre of photo
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026
3. The L. E. & N Trail, facing north, approaching the Black Bridge trestle
Photographed by Tim Boyd, May 10, 2026
4. The restored Black Bridge in 2026
Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 16, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
