Interesting Bridges
- Mundaring & Hills Historical Society
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
As the 19th of March is the anniversary of the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932, we thought we would look through our collection for interesting bridges in the Shire.
When the Eastern Railway through Swan View and Parkerville to Lion Mill was built in 1895 the route included one tunnel, six bridges and 58 culverts.
We have photos of the three bridges in John Forrest National Park and the overpass which was built over the York Road between Mundaring and Sawyers Valley.
Another interesting bridge in the Shire was built by William Quicke in 1919. The Quicke family lived on the south side of the Helena River on a 100-acre block in Pauls Valley near Kalamunda. With no transport available the Quickes had to walk 3 miles to Smiths Mill to catch the train. The children had to walk to school in Smiths Mill and because of this the family built a bridge across the Helena River. The first one was of timber which was washed away. The second bridge built 1919 with timber provided by the Greenmount Road Board and river stone collected locally, it had handrails and was much higher ( see photograph) to allow the river to pass underneath. A special “Opening Ceremony” was undertaken with a member of the Road Board present. This bridge was quite unique as there was no road on either side of this bridge. Road Board Chairman Pittersen reported back to the Road Board that “the bridge was quite satisfactory, but the road was impassable”. Seven years later, after the great flood of 1926, the bridge was washed away.
If you would like to read more of the Quicke’s book The Helena Story we have copies at our office and there is also a copy at both the Mundaring and Boya Libraries.
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