WebStamp March 20, 2017

The Bridge with a Mission

The Elbow Bridge played a vital roll in connecting the town of Calgary with the ranchers and residents southeast of the Elbow River. When it washed away during the 1883 flood, Calgarians where disconnected and it would take three years before the town would be able to fund a new bridge. An entrepreneur set up a ferry to cross the Elbow, while others forded through the shallows in summer, or ice during the winter.

Mission Bridge Postcard

With the fund raising and support provided by Father Lacombe, and Lieutenant Governor Edgar Dewdney, a new wooden bridge was finally built at a new location at the south end of Broadway in Mission subdivision. Many Calgarians were not pleased with the relocation, instead of replacing the destroyed bridge. The Calgary Herald even accused Father Lacombe that by choosing the new location near the mission was a way of increasing the value of the Oblate land owned by the mission.

The original local architect and engineer, Edward McCoskrie, deviated from the governmental specifications and after doing only cursory preparation work absconded with $2000. A new contractor, I.G. Baker was hired to complete the construction. Due to the poor McCoskrie’s structural design, and large herds of cattle continuously crossing the wood bridge causing extensive damage within first two years, it soon needed replacing.

The bridge was replaced in 1901 with a new steel truss bridge. In 1915 the present-day Mission Bridge was completed just west along-side thus replacing the truss bridge.

Both old bridges were located just west of the present-day Mission Bridge, which was completed in 1915. The new bridge was one of the first examples in Calgary, as being the oldest surviving one in Alberta, and being the first of three bridges constructed in Calgary to use the reinforced concrete arch design. The new construction proved to be very effective since immediately after it’s completion, survived the 1915 flood, along with surviving without damage from numerous floods throughout the year. The present-day bridge remains basically the same as when it was first built. Once exception is the original decorative ornate railings were replaced with more modernized ones. While in the neighbourhood be sure to visit one of Calgary’s historic landmarks that help shape and connected our great city.

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Marinus (René) Verschuren
Marinus (René) Verschuren
Founder of WebStamp
René has been involved in the publishing and printing industry since the 1970s. He has published and distributed a successful 24-page weekly news advertiser with a circulation of 4400 copies. Also for the last 20 years, he has been a printer, plotter, scanner and 3D printer technician and installer. Since High School, he also has worked as a janitor, cabinet maker, building construction, landscaper/designer, computer operator producing microfiche, graphic artist, and webmaster, among other professions, qualifying him as a Jack-of-All-Trades.
Articles in this Issue
Participating in your local community and organizations gives a sense of belonging along with mutual support, strength, and influence. If you are not involved with your local community, you will miss out on the opportunity to inform your neighbours in activities and events that appeal to you.
The Elbow Bridge played a vital role in connecting the town of Calgary with the ranchers and residents southeast of the Elbow River. When it washed away during the 1883 flood, Calgarians were disconnected and it would take three years before the town would be able to fund a new bridge
As a teenager and young adult, Dianne suffered from acne which left her with dark, unattractive acne scars. For many years, these facial imperfections left her feeling self-conscious. She has begun her own business selling the products that restored her skin and gave her confidence.