O’Reilly’s Bridge Traditional Cache
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A quick PNG near the only crossing between Beckett's Bridge on RR 24 and the Webber/Lincoln crossing in Welland. Until 2010 it was the oldest structure spanning the river. All that's left now is this memorial.
O’Reilly’s Bridge was named in honour of John B. O’Reilly, a farmer who also served as Wainfleet Township Clerk, Assessor, Councillor, and Reeve between 1833 and 1877. He once owned part of Lot 8 in Concession 6, just to the Southwest of the bridge.
The first bridge at this crossing of Chippawa Creek (later named the Welland River) was a wooden structure built sometime between 1841 and 1847. Because of disrepair and damage from marine vessels, the bridge was replaced by another wooden bridge in 1869 and by a steel bridge circa 1885.
The fourth and most recent O’Reilly’s bridge was built in 1901. It was a variation of a steel pratt through truss called a Parker “Camelback” truss, characterized by the inclined top chords at each end of the span.
The bridge was 17 feet wide and had a clear span of 128 feet. Its 20 foot tall steel truss was a long-standing landmark for the rural communities of Pelham and Wainfleet for 109 years.
Overall deterioration of the bridge resulted in its replacement in 2010. The original concrete abutments were repaired and incorporated into the current bridge crossing.
Congrats to PatchWorkMom for the FTF!
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