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The Scugog Bridge following extensive damage in the spring of 1908. a length of 600 feet on the west end of the bridge, which proved a long step in the way of a permanent, inexpensive structure.” Messrs. Graham and Bigelow advertised for sealed tenders to be left at the Post Office, Port Perry, until noon Saturday, March 4, 1876 for brushing 600 feet long, 25 feet wide and 5 feet deep for the west. end of Scugog Bridge, and also for covering the same with earth or sawdust 18 feet wide and two feet deep. The tender was awarded to Mr. N.S. Dyer whose $1,750 tender was the lowest. His crew began construction of the first section of a permanent bridge between Port Perry and Scugog Island immediately after the ice left the Lake Scugog that spring. Wooden slabs were packed tightly side by side, laid crossways to a thickness of two feet, and then covered with earth. Work continued throughout the summer on the 600 foot stretch of permanent road and in September 1876, the following progress report was published in the Ontario Observer: “The new bridge over Lake Scugog now goes bravely on, Mr. Dyer is within forty feet of the limit of his contract with the laying of logs and slabs and the work of earthing is now progressing favourably. There can be no comparison between the new bridge and the old; the new bridge will be a permanent roadway, which once finished may be maintained in good repair at the smallest trifle of cost. ‘he pine logs and slabs being under water will be permanent, while the surface being covered with two feet of earth and nine inches of gravel over that will constitute a first class permanent roadway which compared with the old floating concern which it is replacing, will form a striking contrast. The old floating bridge was unreliable, unsatisfactory and expen- sive. Every spring it was threatened with destruction and it took a world of expense to keep it in order. When the Scugog Bridge is completed the new 23 foot wide road- way will be maintained at a nominal expense in place of an old rickety apology for a bridge about 12 feet wide.” Next month - Work Continues On The Bridge JANUARY. FOCUS.32p.2011 indd 29 Observer editor describes condition of the Scugog Bridge in April 1871 "We found the now celebrat- ed Scugog Bridge lying too much like a hulk which had just passed through a hurricane, its bulwarks torn, twisted and broken in every conceivable way, and that which had not been swept overboard, lay prostrate on the deck, partially obstructing the passage, while the rickety old timbers squeaked and grated at every step of the ponies. One more squall and the old thing will quit her moorings - in fact, she has arrived at that interest- ing state which will afford parties an admirable opportunity of testing the validity of the Repudiation by- law, passed at the June session of the County Council of 1870. On our way home we passed through Port Perry, along Water St., but found it a fearful misnomer, unless mud and water are con- sidered s mous terms; for we found it ‘Mud Street’ with a venge- ance, parts of this would-be Water St. being from 3 to 4 feet deep, of the most abominable mud, tuft as putty, and as nasty as could be imagined. We should judge that the mud on this street is almost as deep as the water in the lake. James Baird, Editor Ontario Observer FOCUS - JANUARY 2011 42N7A0 11:46:13 AM