b'THE GAPContinued from page??Initially two routes were proposedone along theing for the best route to connect the two townships.town-line between Manvers and Cartwright, acrossInitially two routes were proposedone along the1/8 Page the Scugog River into Mariposa, and a second, fromtown-line between Manvers and Cartwright, acrossSize - 3.25 x 4.55 the \x1e rst concession north of the town line to a point inthe Scugog River into Mariposa, and a second, fromMariposa Township opposite.the first concession north of the town line to a point in The rationale for a bridge was to bene\x1e t the farmersMariposa Township opposite.from Mariposa and Ops, who trade their stock atThe rationale for a bridge was to benefit the farm- Janetville Station, in Manvers Twp. A bridge across theers from Mariposa and Ops, who trade their stock atScugog River would save considerable time getting toJanetville Station, in Manvers Twp. A bridge across themarket in the summer, and avoid the dangers of Scugog River would save considerable time getting toshipping stock across the river on the ice in the winter.market in the summer, and avoid the dangers of ship-While it appeared that the project was proceedingping stock across the river on the ice in the winter. While it appeared that the project was proceedingfavourably, others, although in favour of the bridge, COME CHECK OUT favourably, others, although in favour of the bridge,were less enthusiastic of the location chosen. OUR NEW FARM-SIDE were less enthusiastic of the location chosen.In May the following year, James Casey learned that WINE & CIDER PATIOIn May the following year, James Casey learned thatmembers of the Ops Twp. council disagreed with the JAMSJELLIESHONEYmembers of the Ops Twp. council disagreed with thelocation of a bridge, claiming it would divert shipping PUMPKIN PATCH & 1/8 Page trade then going to Lindsay.location of a bridge, claiming it would divert shippingSize - 3.25 x 4.55Another Valentia farmer, James M. Swain, preferred GIANT CORN MAZE trade then going to Lindsay. even a different route, suggesting a location further COMING THIS FALL!Another Valentia farmer, James M. Swain, preferredsouth which crossed the Scugog River near Stoney AWARD-WINNINGeven a different route, suggesting a location furtherPoint. He argued that the site he preferred had an FRUIT WINES, CIDERSsouth which crossed the Scugog River near Stoney The Port Perry \x1f oating bridge, constructedabundance of gravel pits and good stone for building AND MEADESPoint. He argued that the site he preferred had anto connect Reach Twp. to Scugog Island is thethe bridge approaches. He also contended that theabundance of gravel pits and good stone for buildingbest known bridge spanning Lake Scugog. The2055 SAINTFILED RD., SEAGRAVE, ONT. L0H 1H0the bridge approaches. He also contended that thebridge was built to provide settlers on oppositeriver at the location had a \x1e rm solid bottom and was applewoodfarmwinery.comriver at the location had a firm solid bottom and wassides easy accessacross the lake. about 200 yards shorter, which would save thousandsabout 200 yards shorter, which would save thousandsBefore the bridge,access to neighbours of dollars.of dollars. on the opposite side of the lake was byIronically, four months earlier, a report in the Ironically, four months earlier, a report in the Bow- Red marking shows the approximate location for aBowmanville Canadian Statesman newspaperhad manville Canadian Statesman reported, It has been found impractical to build a newspaper had reported,proposed bridge to connect Mariposa and Ops withManvers and Cartwright Townships. bridge across Lake Scugog from Stony Point onRest assured, It has been found impractical to build a bridge acrossNew name, Lake Scugog from Stony Point on the south, to a pointthe south,to a point south of Valentia on thesame trusted we can helpsouth of Valentia on the north, a length of 3,800 feet.north, a length of 3,800 feet. Mr. J.G. Sing, Districtlegal services.Mr. J.G. Sing, District Engineer, said, it is extremelysmall boats or barges during the summer months, or inEngineer, said, it is extremely doubtful if a stationery doubtful if a stationery roadway would withstand thewinter, wagons and sleighs across the frozen lake.roadway would withstand the action of ice.action of ice. Work got underway on a \x1f oating bridge connecting the Despite the differences of opinion on the best route,Despite the differences of opinion on the best route,two townships during 1856. The Scugog \x1f oating bridge farmers continued to voice their support for a bridgewent through numerous repairs, rebuilds and changesacross the river. They felt it would help form closer farmers continued to voice their support for a bridge1/4 Page over the next \x1e fty years, but to this day, the bridge providesrelations between the farmers of the four town-across the river. They felt it would help form closer rela- Vertical rapid access to the east side of Lake Scugog and beyond. ships who reside on either side of the river. 250 Shanly Street |Port Perry |905-982-2650 |mcmurtrylaw.cations between the farmers of the four townships who reside on either side of the river.Size - 3.25 x 4.55Half a century after the \x1e rst wagon crossed the rickety In addition, concerns were raised by residents as farIn addition, concerns were raised by residents as farwood \x1f oating bridge at Port Perry, discussions began aboutsouth as Port Perry, who worried the proposed solidsouth as Port Perry, who worried the proposed solida bridge at the north end of Lake Scugog to connect bridge would hold back the water and \x1f ood landsbridge would hold back the water and flood landsMariposa Twp. with Cartwright and Manvers across the along the banks of the river and lake south to the town.along the banks of the river and lake south to the town. Scugog River. It was later reported that Port Perry residents hadIt was later reported that Port Perry residents had The originator of the idea was James Casey, a successful changed their minds, feeling that there was an advan-changed their minds, feeling that there was an advan- farmer near Valentia. He circulated a petition through tage in being able to keep the water at an even depthtage in being able to keep the water at an even depththe townships of Mariposa, Manvers, Cartwright and Opsall year round.all year round. in early 1912, securing more than 330 signatures in favour of This was the last report regarding a bridge across This was the last report regarding a bridge acrossthe bridge, and forwarded the petition to the government. the northern section of Lake Scugog. Unlike the The Scugog \x1f oating bridge, circa 1880, which In August that summer, The Port Perry Star reported Scugog bridge linking Port Perry and Scugog Island,the northern section of Lake Scugog. Unlike the Scugogconnected Port Perry to Scugog Island. the Dominion Government was in the district surveying the bridge from Manvers to CartwrightSeptember 19-25 bridge linking Port Perry and Scugog Island, the bridge(colourized photo by JPH) for the best route to connect the two townships. never materialized.from Manvers to Cartwright never materialized. Buy a Smile Cookie and support a local charityFOCUS - SEPTEMBER 202247'