The Félix-Gabriel-Marchand Bridge is on a Canadian stamp
The Félix-Gabriel-Marchand Bridge is on a Canadian stamp
Last Monday, Canada Post launched five new postage stamps depicting five covered bridges across Canada, one of which is the Félix-Gabriel-Marchand (the red bridge) in Mansfield-et-Pontefract. In a press release issued by the Canadian service earlier this week, it says: “In addition to recognize these bridges as important symbols of the different community life in rural areas, the stamps highlights their engineering, design and function.”
Other bridges illustrated include the Hartland Bridge (New Brunswick), Powerscourt Bridge (Percy, Quebec), West Montrose Bridge (Ontario), and Ashnola Bridge No. 1 (British Columbia). The stamps can be purchased through various post offices, including Fort-Coulonge.
Remember that the Félix-Gabriel-Marchand bridge has been under renovation for over a year to make it accessible to cars again in the future.
Description of the covered bridges (source: Canada Post):
• Félix-Gabriel-Marchand Bridge (Quebec)
Commonly called the Marchand Bridge or simply the Red Bridge, it is the longest covered bridge in Quebec; it measures 152 meters. It overlooks the Coulonge River, near the village of Fort-Coulonge. Built in 1898, it is one of the oldest covered bridges in the province.
• Hartland Bridge, New Brunswick
With a span of 391 meters, this bridge across the Saint John River is the longest covered bridge in the world. Considered a marvel of engineering during its construction in the early twentieth century, it was covered in 1922.
• Powerscourt Bridge (Percy, Quebec)
This rigid arched bridge over the Châteauguay River was built in 1861. Considered Canada’s oldest covered bridge, it has a span of 50 meters. It is the only McCallum-type bridge still standing in the world.
• West Montrose Bridge, Ontario
Inaugurated in 1881 in the Waterloo Region, the last heritage covered bridge in Ontario connects the shores of the Grand River. Often referred to as the Lover’s Bridge, this 60-meter bridge has retained its original design, but later added concrete and steel pieces have increased its life. Scenes from the horror film Ça de 2017, based on a novel by Stephen King, were filmed around this bridge.
• Ashnola Bridge No. 1 (British Columbia)
Built for the passage of trains over the Similkameen River in 1907, this bridge was first used for gold mining in the area. In 1954, the rails of the 135-meter bridge, commonly known as the Red Bridge, were removed for opening in 1961. This is the only heritage covered bridge in British Columbia.
