The Past
Businesses
Churches
Communities
~ Enderby
~ Grindrod
~ Hupel
~ Kingfisher/
Mabel Lake
~ Mara
~ ~ General
History
~ ~ John Andrew
Mara
~ ~ Homesteaders
~ ~ Interview
Gray&Boswell
~ ~ Post Office
~ ~ Mara School
~ ~ Mara Bridge
~ ~ Mara Stores
~ ~ Relief
Camps
~ ~ Sawmills and
Logging
~ ~ Churches
~ ~ Community
Hall
~ ~ Provincial
Park
~ Population
Community Services
Entertainment
Ethnic Groups
Geography
Heritage Homes
Industries
Organizations
People
Schools
Transportation
Mara received
its first bridge in 1897. This bridge was special because it lifted up in the middle to
allow steamboats to go under. Prior to this a cable ferry was used by people to get across
the river.
In 1913 Mara had received its second bridge. This bridge was also special because it had a
swing span. This span was only opened once, to see if it worked. The bridge was replaced
in 1928 after being considered unsafe.
In 1928 Mara's third bridge was built. This bridge was not very special because it did not
have a span or a lifting middle. One thing that was special about this bridge was that
local men built it with Ole Zettergreen as their foreman.
In the late 1960's Mara was in risk of losing its bridge. The Highways Department said it
would cost too much money to keep the bridge safe. Mara residents opposed the department,
so the department kept the bridge in safe condition until the late 1970's.
At this time Mara received it fourth bridge. That bridge was a one lane Bailey Bridge, so
people had to look out when approaching it from either side of the river. The bridge was
replaced in 1984.
Dawn Gerlib, Niels Konge, Kurt Schubert
ALF School, 1989