Bow River Bridge
Posted by: 
GeoKs
N 51° 10.406 W 115° 34.278
11U E 599874 N 5670081
This particular Banff Bow River Bridge was constructed in 1923 and is the third generation of bridge to cross the Bow River and provide access to the Banff Hot Springs.
Waymark Code: WM6P1V
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 06/29/2009
Views: 27
After the discovery of the Banff Hot Springs in 1883, a bridge was required to provide access to the Springs' site on the south side of the Bow River. A temporary pontoon bridge was the first Banff crossing of the Bow River and was situated immediately west of the current bridge. In 1887, a permanent steel truss bridge built by William Brewster replaced the original pontoon bridge. When replaced by the current bridge in 1923 the second bridge was disassembled and moved to provide the current crossing of the Spray River on the Banff Springs Golf Course.
The 1923 three pier bridge was designed by Dr. E. Brydon-Jack, a federal public works engineer. The bridge is adorned with small river stones and capped by local Rundle rock. Calgary artist James L. Thomson designed the six Indian Head reliefs formed in pre-cast concrete that adorn both sides of the bridge structure. In the early 1980s the bridge's deck was rebuild and widened to incorporate an additional traffic land and wider pedestrian sidewalks.
Type of Marker: Cultural
Sign Age: Historic Site or Building Marker
Parking: Use the Banff Museum parking lot or street parking on Banff Avenue
Placement agency: Banff Heritage Corporation
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