More information below on the Burke's Bridge from a local in the know. May help to explain the misalignment of the piles.
Andrew, I have now enquired of Pam after your cousin's table which I presume must have been constructed from sections of the bridge since replaced.
Bill
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Pam Lawson
> Hi Bill,
> Enjoyed your Bridges piece. Hope it can be included in the next edition of Roundabout Hurstbridge news.
> The now disused trestle bridge "Burkes Bridge" was erected in 1912. Mr C. Wilson (local bloke) won the contract for its construction. The bridge was to create the actual Arthurs Creek Road, making travel, the delivery of mail to Arthurs Creek PO, the movement of goods and farm produce to and from the Railway at Hurstbridge easier and more direct. Prior to the installation of the bridge the previous route to or from Arthurs Creek, Hurstbridge was via Boyds, Bannons and Doctors Gully Rds - rejoining the road to Arthurs Creek at Lintons Bridge. The present Arthurs Creek Road virtually ended at Boyds Road.
>
> The bridge and accompanying road was opened in 1913 but not without some controversy. It seems that the original route for for the new road link was to go away from the creek and through the Herbert's property - however this route was later altered and followed the creek instead, which took it through both the Apted's and Phillip's land - both had objected to and argued strongly against the change of route and on the new roads completion promptly fenced off the road so that no-one could use it.
>
> This did not last long though as it inconvenienced them too and on the 23rd of July 1913, on the day of Isabella Apted's marriage to John Laidlay, the road was re-opened, fences removed, to allow Isabella's bridal carriage to cross the new bridge on its way to St Mark's Anglican Church in Hurstbridge. Burkes Bridge concrete replacement was put in in 1979. Arthurs Creek road remained largely as a gravel road well into the 1980s.
> Cheers,
> Pam
>
>
>
>
|