Postcard Memories is a weekly series of historic postcard views and photos submitted by Marcel Rousseau.
Some were previously published by the Orillia Museum of Art and History and in the book Postcard Memories Orillia.
Patriotic Postcards are very collectable and this view of The Narrows - framed with a crest, maple leaves and a flag - is one of a popular series produced in 1904.
The wooden bridge and operator's cabin was built in 1874 by the Midland Railway. The trestle was 846 feet long including a 137-foot swing section.
Plans for the construction of the bridge specify only the best white oak and white pine was to be used. No cast- or cut-iron nails were to be used. Only 6- to 8-inch wrought-iron spikes in each plank. Wrought iron was preferred because it produces a tougher, more malleable nail.
The Midland line was absorbed by the Grand Trunk in 1892 and later by C.N.
The wooden bridge was replaced by a steel bridge shortly after this photo was taken. The operator’s cabin was still standing at the end of the Lightfoot Trail until destroyed by fire on October 30, 2010.
