Historic Sites of Manitoba: Valley River Suspension Bridge (Valley RIver, RM of Dauphin)

A small suspension bridge over the Valley River in the Rural Municipality of Dauphin was constructed using the concrete abutments of a former, more substantial bridge, probably dating from around 1920. After the original bridge was destroyed or removed, a downstream ford crossing enabled people to cross during periods of low river flow. When the river was flooding and the ford crossing was deeply submerged, the suspension bridge enabled local children to cross the river to catch a school bus to Dauphin. Users through the years had carved their initials in its wooden walkway.

In late 2017, the suspension bridge was removed by the municipality, citing public safety concerns.

The former Valley River Suspension Bridge

The former Valley River Suspension Bridge (June 2016)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Concrete abutment for the original bridge on which the present bridge sat

Concrete abutment for the original bridge on which the present bridge sat (June 2016)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Aerial view of the former Valley River Suspension Bridge, with a ford crossing in the foreground

Aerial view of the former Valley River Suspension Bridge, with a ford crossing in the foreground (June 2016)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough

Site Location (lat/long): N51.24270, W100.09844
denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Senkiw Suspension Bridge (Municipality of Emerson-Franklin)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Oldenburg Suspension Bridge (RM of Whitemouth)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Abandoned Manitoba

Sources:

We thank Jo Stokotelny and Yvonne Lozinski for providing information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 10 March 2018

Historic Sites of Manitoba

This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. The information is offered for historical interest only.

Browse lists of:
Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other

Inclusion in this collection does not confer special status or protection. Official heritage designation may only come from municipal, provincial, or federal governments. Some sites are on private property and permission to visit must be secured from the owner.

Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes.


Send corrections and additions to this page
to the MHS Webmaster at webmaster@mhs.mb.ca.

Search Tips | Suggest an Historic Site | FAQ

Help us keep history alive!