Ontario Heritage Trust unveils new plaque at River Canard bridge
- RTT Staff
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
The well-known bridge in River Canard now has a provincial designation.
The Ontario Heritage Trust - in partnership with the County of Essex, the Town of Amherstburg and the Town of LaSalle - unveiled a new provincial plaque commemorating the River Canard Bridge last Friday morning.
This bridge was described by the Ontario Heritage Trust as one that “exemplifies rapid change and growth in Depression-era Ontario, when infrastructure design balanced beauty with innovative engineering.”
The provincial plaques “mark milestones in the story of Ontario” by telling stories “of how people, communities and events shaped this province, and of the significant places where the story happened. Ontario’s heritage roads, bridges and historical crossings, like the River Canard Bridge, are landmarks in their communities. They connect people and places and have facilitated trade and cultural exchange in Ontario.”
The Ontario Heritage Trust notes the hamlet of River Canard is one of the oldest Francophone settlements in Ontario. The first bridge crossing was built in 1793, only two years after Upper Canada was founded. The current bridge is from 1937, and its bowstring design represents a style once seen across the province. The Trust says these were built to accommodate increasing auto traffic through the early 20th century, though many were replaced as traffic needs continued to expand.
Dignitaries and political leaders from around the area and county were in attendance for the ceremony, which started out at St. Joseph Church across the road and ended at the bridge itself.
“This iconic bridge that defines our community, River Canard and together with this remarkable building we are in today (St. Jospeh’s Church) this a remarkable community, full of history and it is grounded here forever. It is great day to recognize the historical significance of this area and I want to thank the heritage trust for doing this and for taking this step,” said Essex MPP Anthony Leardi.
LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche read the plaque aloud in English, while her counterpart, Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue read the French version.
Warden Hilda MacDonald offered her and the county’s thanks for making the plaques a reality.
“Thanks to the province of Ontario and the Ontario Heritage Trust for choosing to recognize and honour the River Canard Bridge with the Heritage Provincial Plaque. Thank you to county council members for supporting this project and to county staff for everything you did to bring this vision to life. These plaques and this ceremony are worthy reminders that the province of Ontario and the County of Essex have long been great partners in the planning of and building of vital public works projects,” said MacDonald. “Built in 1937, the original River Canard bridge was funded jointly by the Province of Ontario and Essex County and provided essential employment relief. And here we are 88 years later and key representatives from the county and the province are gathered together arm-in-arm to commemorate not only the historical significance of this beautiful bridge that together we built, but also the fact that we are still partnering, we’re still working together to build vital roadways and projects the benefit all of us in the region.”
MacDonald added: “This iconic bridge remains the pride of this little hamlet (River Canard), but also of the whole county and it must be one of the most photographed pieces of architecture in this region. That is pretty remarkable for a small spot in the entire region. The bridge originally joined Sandwich West Township (now LaSalle) and Anderdon Township (now Amherstburg).”
The plaque text reads:
“Built in 1937 as part of the Ontario government’s Depression-era public works program, the construction of this bridge was funded jointly by the Province and Essex County and provided essential unemployment relief. A significant crossing point on the River Canard since the 18th century, the bridge links the Amherstburg and LaSalle communities. The increase of motorized vehicle traffic necessitated stronger transportation infrastructure and this reinforced concrete bowstring or tied-arch bridge replaced previous wood truss and steel bridges that came before it. The bridge is an example of early 20th-century concrete engineering in Ontario. The design combined structural efficiency and aesthetic appeal, and it quickly became the pride of the community. Measuring 36.3 metres long (119 feet) and 7.32 metres wide (24 feet), its defining features include a single-spanned parabolic arch with 11 vertical concrete hangers per side, concrete balustrade railings and a cantilever sidewalk. This bridge and the neighbouring St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church are connected landmarks of the historical hamlet of River Canard, in one of the earliest French-Canadian settlements in Ontario. Framing the church, this bridge symbolizes innovation in civil engineering and celebrates local heritage and investment in community.”
Plaques are on each side of the bridge that straddles Amherstburg and LaSalle.
“The River Canard Bridge is more than a vital piece of infrastructure - it’s a living testament to our region’s engineering heritage and cultural history. As the last remaining bowstring bridge in the county road network, it stands as a rare and elegant example of early 20th-century design. Its presence makes it a landmark that connects our communities and generations,” added Allan Botham, the county’s director of infrastructure and planning services.
John Ecker, chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust, said the plaques commemorate the history of people who built Ontario.
“This bridge represents a moment in time when Ontario was rapidly becoming modern, requiring innovative engineering and design solutions to meet the challenges of the day. It is a remnant of a bygone era and is cherished by its community,” said Ecker.
Ontario Heritage Trust unveils new plaque at River Canard bridge
By RTT Staff
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