Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Rainbow Bridge
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013
1. Rainbow Bridge Marker
Inscription.
Rainbow Bridge. . The Rainbow Bridge, owned and operated by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, was built in 1940-41 to replace the Upper Steel Arch Bridge. Its abutments are 15.1m (50 ft.) above the level of river ice jams. When it was built its 286m (950 ft.) arch was the longest hingeless arch in the world.
The Rainbow Bridge, owned and operated by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, was built in 1940-41 to replace the Upper Steel Arch Bridge. Its abutments are 15.1m (50 ft.) above the level of river ice jams. When it was built its 286m (950 ft.) arch was the longest hingeless arch in the world.
Erected 1989 by Niagara Falls Bridge Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts.
Location. 43° 5.475′ N, 79° 4.189′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. Marker is on River Road, 0.2 kilometers Hiram Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 River Road, Niagara Falls ON L2G 3K9, Canada. Touch for directions.
2. Rainbow Bridge viewed from the overlook on River Road with markers for the earlier
"Upper Suspension" & "Upper Steel Arch" Bridges"
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013
3. Rainbow Bridge Marker
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013
4. Rainbow Bridge Bridge Stone
Their Majesties
King George VI
and
Queen Elizabeth
viewed the site of this bridge on June 7, 1939 and laid this stone
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013
5. Rainbow Bridge Plaque Describing the Bridge Stone
The adjacent stone monument commemorates the visit of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to view the site of the Rainbow Bridge on June 7, 1939. Originally laid at the base of the Carillon Tower, it was severly damaged by an automobile and kept in storage until repaired and re-erected at this site in 1999.
The Rainbow Bridge Plaza, opened in 1941, was decorated with panels of low relief stone carving by noted Canadian artists, Florence Wyle and Frances Loring.
Among their works on this site, Wyle designed and executed the panels depicting the stage coach, forest and farms of Ontario. Loring's panels depicted Ontario industries and such Ontario flowers as Daffodils, Lady Slippers and the provincial flower, the Trillium.
The flaring of the Canadian end of the bridge in 1997 covered the location of six of the panels on River Road. These were relocated and are now on view along the immediately adjacent riverside pedestrian walk under the bridge.
These artifacts were relocated and this plaque erected by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, April 21, 2013
6. Rainbow Bridge Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 779 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on July 10, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.