The York Suspension Bridge

The York wire suspension bridge was the first of its kind built in Western Australia. It was officially opened by the colonial governor, Sir Frederick Napier Broome, to coincide with the first day of the York Agricultural Show on the 26th of October, 1888. At that time, the Agricultural Show was held on the banks of the Avon where Avon Park is now situated. The Eastern Districts Chronicle reported: "His excellency having declared the bridge opened, walked across it followed by several influential gentlemen. The party then proceeded to the Castel Hotel and partook of a little champagne in honour of the occassion". The unique footbridge had a difficult birth. Townspeople had long complained about the need for a bridge across Bland's Pool to join the east side of the Avon with the town. There were already two vehicular bridges, one called South Bridge or Parker's Bridge joining Redmile Road with Brook Street, and another called the North Bridge or Monger's Bridge at Ford Street. To cross the Avon into town by these bridges, it meant a considerable walk for some residents living on the east bank. Eventually, the Town Council agreed to construct a footbridge after being petitioned by 25 residents of the east bank. The petitioners were required to provide half of the £50 required for construction. The original suspension bridge had been built where the Central Bridge is now situated but in 1896, with the construction of the Central Bridge joining South Street with Glebe, the footbridge was removed, lengethed and repositioned in line with Pool Street. The bridge has been reconstructed a number of times. Winter floods washed it away in 1909 and it was severely damaged in later years from the same cause. It was closed in the early 1980s due to its deteriorating condition, but then in 1988 it was reconstructed once again to coincide with its centenary.