Self-Guided Tours — Foresters Falls

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Beth Somerville and Lily Belle McMillan, Old railway bridge, Foresters Falls. The Railroad and the Big Bridge

Submitted by Mrs. Lilybelle McMillan & Mrs. Beth Somerville

Directions

Take Foresters Falls road east out of the village until you come to the first intersection.

Turn North onto the Grant Settlement Road and proceed .1 kilometers until you cross the tracks.

Walk west along the tracks until you come to the railroad bridge (.7k). Beware because trains still travel this stretch of track. Do not walk on the bridge itself.

History

The Gibson Lake watershed creek ran through Foresters Falls and on to the Ottawa River. It was later called McNaughton's Creek after Mr. McNaughton, a surveyor at that time.

The McNaughton Creek made a valley on its way to the Ottawa River, making it necessary to build the Big Bridge, about 1913. It was built on the eastern side of the Village beyond what was called Elliott Rocks. The station was built about a mile down the Kerr Line Rd. near the intersection of this road and the Grant Settlement Rd, and near the former Millar Store, now the Broken Paddle.

The railroad was the main line of the Canadian National Railway, and like its counterpart, the Canadian Pacific at Haley's Station, it was also a transcontinental railway. A bridge was built over McNaughton Creek, which was in its path.

A favourite spot for picking wild strawberries was along the railroad tracks. Choke cherry trees were on the trail to the Bridge. It was a challenge back then for those who dared to cross the bridge before a train would come. Really, it was a no-no to cross. (top)