Discussions

When Brandon was first established, two bridges were built to cross the Assiniboine River, and they were privately owned. The only difference from the bridges of today is that they were “Toll Bridges”. The Toll charged varied from time to time, but in 1885 pedestrians and loose animals were considered the same, and so were each charged 2 cents to cross the bridge. Horses with riders and one-horse vehicles were charged 10 cents. Wagons being pulled by teams of horses were charged 20 cents. The first bridge to be built was on First Street by Mr. Joseph Woodward, a homesteader with a quarter section immediately east of First Street. He also was a partner in a store with Mr. Roundsfield on the east side of First Street. The cost of this bridge was thirty thousand dollars, which was supposed to be recouped by charging a 10 cents Toll per person, and twenty-five cents per team. The First Street Bridge was opened on a Sunday in September 1882 with a large crowd in attendance. A small group among the spectators consisted of Mr. Watt of Alexander, Mr. Phil MacKenzie, the Blacksmith, Mr. McLean, and Crocket and Jones, who were tent dwellers near Mr. MacKenzie and Russels blacksmith shop on Sixth Street. The other bridge was situated at 18th, Street. The citizens objected to paying a toll to cross the bridges in the winter, and so walked or drove across the frozen river to save their money. The city council decided to negotiate the purchase of the bridges, and the First Street Bridge was purchased in 1886. Within the next ten years the Eighteenth Street became city property and anyone could cross the Assiniboine free of charge.  
 
Source: Brandon a City. E Barker.