This little bridge is the first crossing of the Granby River north of Grand Forks. The next crossing is 11.5 km further north on a small single lane bailey bridge. The bridge is one wide lane in width and about 100 to 120 feet in total length. The centre section is a classic steel trussed girder of about 80 feet supported by steel pilings on each end. Each end has a short steel beam extension of 15 or 20 feet.
The robustness of the girders and beams of this bridge will reveal to most that this bridge was not originally intended to carry Model Ts and horse drawn carriages over the river, but something much, much more massive.
Originally a part of the
Republic & Grand Forks Railway, also known as the
Kettle River Valley Railway, this bridge saw railway service for a single decade. The railway was built up the North Fork of the Kettle River (now the Granby River) in 1906 with a wooden bridge crossing the river at a place known as
Hummingbird. It was replaced by this steel truss bridge in 1926. With the closing of this section of railroad in 1935 this became, the next year, a road bridge, which it remains to this day.
"Railroads to Resources" - This was a dream of a number of men in the early years of development. For some, the dreams were fulfilled, some partially fulfilled and for others their dreams never got beyond the planning stage. Tracy Holland, a local citizen, and some other businessmen in 1900, received a charter to build a line from Grand Forks to Republic.
This railroad was to be known by a number of different names besides "Republic & Grand Forks." Locally, however, it became known as the Hot Air Line, a name that continued for its life span. The reason for the name being conferred on it was said to be the long delay between the granting of a charter in 1900 and the start of construction in 1901.
The line was completed from Republic and as far north as Lynch Creek. Grading for the Lynch Creek extension commenced on June 6, 1906, with wages of $2.50 per day. The original Hummingbird Bridge on this line was replaced with a steel structure in 1926. In 1918 a two-mile extension was completed to the Rock Candy mill at the terminus of the tramline down Kennedy Creek. When this line was completed, the CM&S Co. commenced shipping ore from the Rock Candy mine to Chicago, Illinois.
Service on the North Fork line ceased in 1935 and the rails were removed in 1936. The CPR had taken over operation of this line in 1925.
From the book "Grand Forks - The First Hundred Years, Page 77,
ISBN-0-9692892
This bridge has been found by the locals to be a fine fishing spot. They can pull over and park right at the west end of the bridge and dangle their bait in the river off the side of the bridge. Traffic isn't what anyone would call heavy, so it makes for a safe and relaxing place to drown worms.
