On Wednesday, April 26, the old bridge master’s cabin was removed from Huntsville’s iconic swing bridge. But it was only a temporary absence. The old cabin – a replica itself, and one in poor condition – was replaced with one built by Huntsville High School students.
The old swing bridge masters cabin was declared derelict and unsafe and has been disposed of by contractor working for the District, said Teri Souter, the Town’s Manager of Arts, Culture and Heritage. There was a significant layer of pigeon defecate and insect carcass in it and the chipboard and plywood were rotten and soggy. The cabin has been relocated or replaced several times since the bridge was built and there was nothing original remaining in the structure.
Read related stories about the origins of the project and its progress at the links below and scroll down for recent and historic photos.
HHS students to build new swing bridge master’s cabin
Time capsule installed in new swing bridge master’s cabin to be opened in 2067
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- First, the old cabin was unattached from the bridge (Photo: Liz Rice)
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- A crane lifted the old cabin onto a truck to be taken for disposal
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- In with the new! (Photo: Liz Rice)
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- Regatta at the Town Docks ca. 1908. The swing bridge is at left. (Photo: Muskoka Digital Archives)
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- Algonquin steamboat passing through the swing bridge 1940s (Photo: Muskoka Digital Archives)
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- Huntsville’s swing bridge in operation, 1944. Photo courtesy of Anne Shorn.
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- The swing bridge in 1956. Photo courtesy of Muskoka Heritage Place.
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- The swing bridge in 1983. Photo courtesy of Muskoka Heritage Place.
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Thanks students. I remember watching the bridge swing and the traffic on Main St. lined up as far as the eye could see. A lot of drivers had a chance to see the stores on Main St.
Wonderful memories and thanks students for bringing them back.
ellen
Thank you very much teachers and students who are responsible for this historical update. I have so many great memories of the swing bridge, from standing on it while it swung to watching and listening to the band playing while couples danced on the steamer Algonquin on the Moonlight Cruises. Also the Wig-Wags dinging and the guard coming down on a hood or roof. Thanks again.
Great job, well done Huntsville High School, students and staff.