This railway arch is all that remains of an electric railway bridge
over the Holland River (see history below). Within 75 meters of the
arch are 3 newer bridges. Recommended parking is on the west side
of Concession Street (do not park on Queen Street).
The coordinates are to the Radial Railway Arch historical plaque
from which the following information is required to calculate the
coordinates of the cache. Find the year the arch was built as well
as the span and rise of the arch.
The coordinates to the final are:
N 44 __.___ - Fill in the blanks with 01.407 + (year/1000)
W 079 __.___ - Fill in the blanks with 05.256 + span + rise
Do not park on Queen Street. When crossing Queen Street please
use walkway under the bridge along the river. The final is located
near a playground so stealth will be required.
Initial Cache contents: Rescue Blanket, Hand Warmers, CITO Kit,
Carabineer, Compass Key Holder, Carabineer with pen, Geocoin
Concrete arch spanning the East Holland River for the
Radial Railway.
Industrialization - From Rails to Roads
Most existing roads in the early 1900's were nothing more than
simple reinforced earthen paths which usually turned into rivers of
mud after a rainfall. The increasing demand to transport people and
goods prompted the construction of better roads and alternative
modes of transportation throughout the Subwatershed. One such
alternative was the "radial system", an electric railway which was
built in 1899 by the Metropolitan Toronto Street Railway Company.
It ran up Yonge Street from North Toronto through Richmond Hill,
Aurora, Newmarket and eventually all the way to Sutton.
It provided an efficient mode of transportation for daily
commuting, shopping trips, social events and farmers taking goods
to market. The radial system so improved the access to Lake Simcoe
that it is attributed with the promotion of the local tourist
industry. It was not long after the radial railway was established
that the number of seasonal residences, resorts and cottages around
the lakeshore increased dramatically.
http://www.lsrca.on.ca/PDFs/ehms4.pdf