You can also see an Imperial Oil Limited gas station in the foreground on the right. Off in the distance, you can see that the cars seem to be backed up on the bridge behind the streetcar. That's the Falls View Bridge - the third one. The first Falls View Bridge was built in 1869 with a bridge deck that was only ten feet wide. It was widened in 1888, to allow traffic in both directions, but it didn't matter for long because a year after the renovation there was a powerful storm that destroyed the bridge. It still lies submerged in the water.
The second Falls View Bridge was built immediately and finished within 117 days after the destruction of the first one. It didn't last long either, because it was unable to carry the weight of streetcars, which were now considered essential. The bridge shown above, also known as the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, was built in 1898. Unfortunately, disaster struck again in 1938, when the bridge collapsed due to ice jams. You can read more about the bridges over Niagara Falls here.
It's fascinating how much history is contained in one picture. I find myself terribly much wanting to know more about the person who wrote the postcard. I know you are sometimes able to say something about this but at others the sender and receiver have to remain important shadows.
ReplyDeleteLucy
I have been to Niagara but knew nothing about the history of the bridge and the streetcars. How times change.
ReplyDeleteNever know about story behind the niagara fall.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing it.
I've received your postcard from Hawaii. Thank you so much.
Charming postcard, not the usual Niagara Falls view.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the Canadian bridge engineers could have used some lessons from Roebling... hope their insurance coverage was good!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect capture of the long-ago moment. Love the gas station!
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