14

Williamstown Covered Bridge

There is no record of covered bridges being constructed in the Omemee or surrounding area, however Mr. McCrea included a covered in his model collection. He stated that this bridge spanned the River aux Raisin (commonly called the Black River) at Williamstown. It would appear that Mr. McCrea did not actually see the bridge but based his model on a post card which he received from a Mr. J.B.McLennan who served with him in South Africa. He used magnifiers and based his calculations on the photo in order to construct his model. The covered bridge offered protection to the horse and rider while crossing the waterway and are considered picturesque.

15

COWANS SLIDING BRIDGE
1950
EMILY TOWNSHIP

16

COWANS SLIDING BRIDGE

This type of bridge was called a "sliding bridge" as a section of the bridge could actually be moved back to allow boats to go through. The bridge on which the model is based crossed the Pigeon River at Lots 11 and 12, Concession 6, in the Township of Emily. The story is told that in 1875, the steamboat 'Ontario' was waiting to pass through the bridge and the rolling platform refused to budge so the steamboat captain, Captain Fee ordered the crew to get out axes and saw, and cut the timber through, remarking: "Navigation can't be held up." That was the end of Cowan's as a rolling bridge.

17

WINCH COWANS BRIDGE
1950
EMILY TOWNSHIP

18

WINCH COWANS BRIDGE

McCrea's attention to detail is shown in his recreation of the winch that was used to roll back the section of the Cowan's Sliding Bridge. The winch is complete with cable.

19

TRAIN ON HIGH TRESTLE
1890
EMILY TOWNSHIP

20

TRAIN ON HIGH TRESTLE

In order to provide rail service through the undulating hills of Emily Township, tall trestle bridges had to be erected. The C.N.R. bridge in Emily was building in 1883 to 1884 and was 1200 feet long, a major engineering project for a small rural area. It was 75 feet in height and tapered to 50 feet at its extremities.

21

CNR CAMPBELL'S CREEK BRIDGE
1950
EMILY TOWNSHIP

22

CNR CAMPBELL'S CREEK BRIDGE

Another type of railway bridge is replicated in this model which was based on the C.N.R. Campbell's Creek Bride, 9.2 miles north of Port Hope. The model is of ½ of the bridge and has piers which would have been filled with stones. The creek ran between the piers sitting on the valley floor.

23

BOATS, BOATS
1945
Early Ontario

24

BOATS, BOATS

The McCrea collection includes a variety of boats that would have been crafted by the early pioneer settler and boatmaker. In the rear is a typical Indian style dug out canoe made from one timber. This boat would be used for practical purposes such as taking the grain to the mill. A larger Dug Out is in front of the Indian style boat with a small rowboat to the right. A fishing boat and two small dug out style boats complete the picture.

25

FISHING BOATS
1945
Early Ontario

26

FISHING BOAT

Fish provided much needed fresh food for the early settler and the streams and rivers in early Ontario teemed with fish including bass, trout and catfish. The fishing boat or punt would be well used and often used after dark when the farming chores had been completed. The mast or pole at the rear of the boat was to hold an iron basket in which jack fat pine was burned. This style of fishing was termed "jack-light fishing" with a man sitting in the bow with a spear and a man in the stern who paddled and guided the punt. clearly to the spearman who sat in the bow with a blacksmith-made spear. A man in the stern paddled and guided the punt. This style of boat continued to be used for many decades.

27

TYLER'S DUG OUT
1945
Early Ontario