Burritts Rapids Swing Bridge

The Burritts Rapids Swing Bridge, part of the Rideau Canal system, crosses the Rideau River on Grenville Street in Burritts Rapids, north of Burritts Rapids Road (County Road 23).

Note: In the various articles, maps, charts, signs and plaques the name of this place sometimes has an apostrophe and sometimes doesn't. You will see it written, 'Burritts Rapids,' and 'Burritt's Rapids.' It seems there isn't a standard on this and either spelling is acceptable.

BURRITT'S RAPIDS SWING BRIDGE

Burritt's Rapids Lockstation was completed in 1831. You are standing on an embankment that was constructed to hold the Rideau Canal 15 feet (4.5 metres) above the river to the north. . . The embankment extends 2 km (1.25 miles) from Lock 17 to the tip of the Island of Burritt's Rapids and forms the spine of the Tip to Tip Trail. As you continue along the trail you can observe several of the original stone survey markers, all engraved with a Broad Arrow, that mark the border between Crown and privately owned land.

At the time of the construction of the canal, Burritt's Rapids was one of the six sites chosen for the erection of bridges. A fixed bridge was constructed there in 1832 some 900 yards (823 metres) above the lock, which permitted ships to pass under it. This bridge provided a 28 foot (8.5 metres) clearance over the water. In 1851, a timber kingpost truss swing bridge was erected on the site. This bridge was renewed from time to time during the 19th century until it was replaced with the present steel through truss swing-bridge.

The existing bridge was built in 1897 by the Central Bridge Company of Peterborough, Ontario. The bridge plate affixed to one side of the bridge has inscribed on it: "William H. Law, Engineer, Erected 1897." Law was probably the designer of the bridge or a bridge fabricator who erected swing-bridges under subcontract with the Central Bridge Company.

Of all the steel through truss swing-bridges on the Rideau Canal, this swing-bridge has the most interesting appearance. It is of an asymmetrical truss design combining a Pratt and Funk truss. Indeed, it is of a design not found on any other Canadian Canal, and is probably unique to the Rideau.

North Grenville Heritage Committee, North Grenville Historical Society

The large end of the tool on the side of the bridge, seen below, engages the notches on the circular metal plate atop the bridge's axle, seen above. The operator then walks around the axle rotating the axle and swinging the bridge.

CENTRAL
BRIDGE
&
ENGINEERING
CO LIM
PETERBORO
ONT

WM H. LAW
ENGINEER
ERECTED
1897

Christ Church

In Carp, Ontario, Christ Church stands on the northeast corner of Carp Road and McGee Side Road.

CHRIST CHURCH
HUNTLEY
1838 – 1988
ANGLICAN
DEDICATED TO
THE GLORY OF GOD
AND
IN THANKFUL REMEMBRANCE
OF THE PEOPLE WHO
GAVE GIFTS, EFFORT AND
DEVOTION
TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN
THIS CHURCH
FOR 150 YEARS

GIVEN IN MEMORY OF GEORGE B. COX

CHRIST CHURCH 1838

This handsome stone church, in the style of the early Gothic Revival, was built by A. Thomas Christie on land donated by John Cavanagh, one of Huntley township's earliest landholders. Aide by a substantial contribution from Colonel Arthur Lloyd, a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars who had settled in the neighbouring March township, the building was completed in 1838. The earliest Anglican settlers were served by missionaries posted in Hull and subsequently in March. The union of the Huntley and March parishes continued until the appointment of the Reverend James Godfrey as Rector of Huntley in 1853. Although the interior has been extensively altered, the building stands as a memorial to the original Anglican Settlers.

Erected by the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board,
Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario.

CHRIST
CHURCH
HUNTLEY
ANGLICAN CHURCH

A Warm Welcome
to Everyone

Douglas G. Cavanagh Tree

The Douglas G. Cavanagh tree occupies a memorial garden in Kinburn, Ontario, on the north side of Kinburn Side Road, east of the Kinburn Community Centre.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
DOUGLAS G.
CAVANAGH
1949 – 1993
THE CAVANAGH FAMILY