Another image from our trip to the Badlands a few weeks ago…. The East Coulee bridge was an essential link required by the CNR and CPR railways to cross the Red Deer River and service both the Monarch and Atlas coal mines, as well as enable coal delivery by train throughout the region. The bridge was built in 1936 but was destroyed by flooding 12 years later and had to be reconstructed. It was in use until the 1970’s, when the Atlas Mine closed. The Howe Truss design is truly unique – this is the only wooden railway bridge still standing in Canada that has this boxy design. Well, barely standing, that is…the deck is completely rotting out and although there is a big push to save this amazing piece of architecture and history, it will be an expensive fix if it is undertaken. My family has a personal connection to East Coulee: my Dad spent part of his childhood there, as he and his family lived in the village while my Grandpa worked at the Atlas mine. In his memoir, my Grandpa wrote about East Coulee:
In November 1952, East Coulee had a population of about two thousand; there was a school for grade one to nine, two grocery stores, one hardware store, a lumber yard, a bakery, two vehicle repair shops, a hotel with beer parlor and also a small church. A wooden railroad bridge, which also served for vehicle traffic, connected East Coulee with the mines on the right side of the river and the Monarch camp, which was a separate little hamlet with its own school, store, and hotel with beer parlor.
Flowery Prose 
It’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Cynthia! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Most of New Brunswick’s covered bridges use the Howe Truss. Brings back our trip to the Badlands in 2002.
That’s fascinating about the N.B. bridges using that design! I will have to add an edit to my post – I just double-checked and the bridge in East Coulee is the last wooden one of its kind – not the last constructed of any other material. I will fix that right now! 🙂
There may be some aspect of this bridge that is unique. I know that bridge design is complex. You could probably ask an engineer. In any case, this bridge is an open design where our covered bridges are closed in.
Yes, that’s probably true – I’m basing my information on the interpretive materials they have posted at the site and I’m uncertain where that was originally sourced. I will have to see if I can track down some more specific details.
It’s really a beautiful structure! I hope it can be saved.
There have been a few charity events held to raise money for the cause, but I’m not sure what will happen next.
Great photo and interesting story!
Thanks so much, Johanna – hope you have a fantastic week!
loce history.Thanks for the information.
So glad you enjoyed!
I guess beer parlors were important in the 1950s 😉
Yes, I think so – especially in mining towns!
How very interesting. I love to hear about some of the small towns in Alberta and British Columbia. It starts my imagination picturing these villages.
Jean
It’s fascinating to think of the history of these places…and see how they are now.
Nice point of view, Sheryl. The telephoto perspective works very well, too. 🙂
Thanks so much, Frank!
Great looking bridge and good photo too. Interesting post – hope the bridge can be saved.
It is a beautiful structure – maybe the efforts to save it will be successful.
I hope so. Hope your weekend is going well 🙂