Completed in 1920 as part of the canadian northern pacific railway and abandoned in 1979, the bridge appeared destined to be torn down. The seaside village of cowichan bay on british columbias vancouver island is one hour north from victoria or one hour south from nanaimo, but it feels like a whole other world. Its hard to tell looking at the trestle today, what a storied history. Kinsol trestle and cowichan valley history the kinsol heritage illustrates the powerful draw of resource extraction and the fierce competition to be the first to extract the most that consumed politicians and corporations of a growing canada at the turn of the 20th century. What a history of the working past,we will celebrate, in bc with the kinsol, as the covered bridges of. Shawnigan lake is a village on british columbias vancouver island. The push is on to save the cowichan valleys magnificent kinsol trestle. As of 2016, the permanent population of shawnigan lake is 8,558. The kinsol trestle, passable to hikers, cyclists, and horses, crosses the koksilah river about a kilometer from the parking lot. The kinsol trestle, measuring at 38 m high and 188 m long, is one of the largest railway trestles in canada and was constructed in 1920 to cross the koksilah river.
The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking. Riding the kinsol trestle on a brough superior circa 1946. The kinsol trestle, also known as the koksilah river trestle, is a wooden railway trestle located on vancouver island north of shawnigan lake in the canadian province of british columbia. The promise of big dollars from big trees on southern vancouver island at the turn of the century spurred local loggers, farmers and labourers to build one of the worlds largest and spectacular wooden railway trestles in the world. The kinsol trestle in the cowichan valley is one of the major attractions along the trans canada trail. Historic rail trestle links island trailshawnigan lake, b. Reaching across the koksilah river and veering gently through the cowichan valley on vancouver island, stands a relic of a bygone era.
It is also an important part of vancouver islands history. The kinsol trestle is the largest freestanding trestle in the world, and the former wooden railway provides stunning views over the koksilah river, accessible with a moderate hike from. The kinsol trestle is one of eight trestles along the cowichan valley trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. The article, written by victoriabased writer suzanne morphet, showcases the kinsol trestle and other important stops along the extensive network of. It was closed off to even foot traffic for years over safety concerns for its deteriorating condition, and when an engineers report concluded there was no. To span the koksilah river, it is 200 metres in length and 44 metres tall. It provides a spectacular crossing of the koksilah river. Through its displays of artifacts relating to the history of the winnipeg police force, the winnipeg police museum in my home city of winnipeg, manitoba, canada provides insight not only into the history of policing over the years but a glimpse into local events and the social climate in which the police force operated. One of our favourites is the hike up to the goldstream trestle near victoria or, for a longer hike, following the remains of the train tracks to find the second trestle and train tunnel. To this end the proposed structure fits this criterion as it. Vancouver island is known for many things, whale watching, mountains, beaches, victoria and apparently one of the worlds largest train. Kinsol trestle vancouver island all you need to know. An indispensable guide for those who wish to discover vancouver islands scenic and colourful past. The origins of the trestle table are quite fascinating and have roots right here in the united kingdom.
Every month the citizen will bring you a special feature on. At a length of 597750 feet 182229 m, it is the worlds largest allwood trestle. Cowichan bay village on british columbias vancouver island. Before the georgian period, the trestle table tops were very narrow and this was because in those days diners did not sit across from each other and this is for good medieval reason. The history about the trestle was pretty interesting. Completed in 1920, its dimensions measure 44 m 144.
A number of seasonal creeks are crossed on the remainder of the trail, all with bridges suited to hikers, cyclists, and horseback. Historic vancouver island wooden rail trestle links. We carry a selection of historical reference books, post cards, note cards, bookmarks, ej hughes cards and. Historys injustice to the hulquminum cowichan, the first mapmakers. The reopening of the magnificent kinsol trestle as a recreational trail for families, communities and visitors is thurs.
Kinsol trestle vancouver island 2020 all you need to know. The man who saved the kinsol trestle canadian geographic. Kinsol trestle, trans canada trail, vancouver island bc canada. An abandoned railroad bridge in the middle of the forest not far from duncan bc. Goat canyon trestle was built in 1933 as part of the san diego and arizona eastern railway, after one of the. With the recognition that the kinsol trestle would be preserved and rehabilitated, an official community based campaign was created in order to. Kinsol trestle vancouver island 2020 all you need to. The restored kinsol trestle opens july 28 bc gov news. The case study of the kinsol trestle bridge in the cowichan valley on vancouver island one of the memorable site visits of ahlp 2012 brings us to current day thinking on the topic of heritage planning.
Great short walk interesting history kinsol trestle. The historic kinsol trestle in the cowichan valley on vancouver island is one of the largest wooden bridges in the world. The kinsol trestle is a marvel started in 1911 and completed in 1920 as one of the tallest freestanding timber rail trestles in the world. The historic kinsol trestle is open to the public for cyclists, hikers and equestrians to experience the full cowichan valley trail in the cowichan region. The trestle was officially finished being built in 1920 construction started in 1911 although designed by engineers, it was built by local farmers and. This massive wood structure forms a very important part of our history, as is evidenced by the cost and effort the community has gone through to completely restore it. The name shawnigan is an adaptation of the hunquminum name for the shawnigan lake, the lake the village is situated at, shaaniius. Until recently, the kinsol trestle was an inperil heritage structure located in the cowichan valley on vancouver island, british columbia.
The kinsol trestle, also known as the koksilah river trestle, is a wooden railway trestle. Kinsol trestle bridges cowichan valleys cycling trails. Old railroads have created some great hikes across bc. One place with a lot of history is the kinsol trestle just north of shawnigan lake.
And with the restoration of the kinsol trestle now complete high above the koksilah river, a route to lake cowichan is now available. At 44 metres high and 188 metres long, the kinsol trestle is the largest wooden trestle bridge in the commonwealth, and one of the highest railway trestles in the world yet since its abandonment in 1979, this feat of canadian engineering has endured. Goat canyon trestle is a wooden trestle in san diego county, california. Beyond the thoughtful text, there is much that might be familiar to alliance members. The trestle, one of the few accessible and visible reminders of early mining and logging industries, brings history to life in such a powerful way. Policing and social history at winnipeg police museum. Media in category kinsol trestle the following 26 files are in this category, out of 26 total. The kinsol trestle is historically very important as it is purported to be the largest trestle in the british commonwealth. Kinsol trestle the kinsol trestle on vancouver island. In 2006, the regional government announced it would. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book. Kinsol trestle, british columbia, canada vancouver. The kinsol trestle near shawnigan lake on vancouver island, one of the tallest and longest such structures in the world, joins three companion spans on the cowichan valley trail, a recreational.
The kinsol trestle rehabilitation campaign has caught the imagination of local cowichan area businesses continue reading. The hikers and cyclists guide to the cowichan valleys historic logging railways, the kinsol trestle and the trans canada trail. Visit kinsol trestle on your trip to vancouver island or. Cowichans section of the great trail is featured in the januaryfebruary 2018 edition of canadian geographic.
The kinsol trestle spans the koksilah river at mile 51. Historic railway trestle reopened on vancouver island. It was built as part of a plan to connect victoria to nootka sound, passing through cowichan lake and port alberni, when forestry had gained. The quaint seaside village of cowichan bay destinations. You have to search deep into the travel books and internet postings to find this gem of a trail. The mighty kinsol trestle on track for restoration the. This magnificent railway trestle, spanning the canyon over the koksilah river, is the only broken link in the trans canada trail between shawnigan lake and the town of lake cowichan, forcing hikers and.
The kinsol trestle is one of the tallest freestanding and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. It is important that any improvements to the structure retain the overall look of the existing structure. Victoria recently got a 11 million dollar boost for their trail programme and the cvrd board voted last night for a further application for funding of the kinsol trestle. The trestle was officially finished being built in 1920 construction started in 1911. This is a year round river, with some nice swimming holes. The best part of the kinsol trestle is the origin of the name. Vancouver island residents turned out to celebrate the reopening of the kinsol trestle the oldest freestanding timber structure in north america as the latest addition to the trans canada. Kinsol trestle trail recreation site british columbia.
Cowichans kinsol trestle featured in canadian geographic. See more ideas about railroad bridge, train and old trains. View all attractions near kinsol trestle on tripadvisor. It is part of electoral area b in the cowichan valley regional district. Virginia usa virginia homes virginia history train. It is 614 feet in length and stands 145 feet above the koksilah river. It has been five years since last we featured the incredible kinsol trestle here at the hollow, and quite honestly i cant think why. Still, they remain what they always were compelling forest icons. At 38 metres high and 188 metres long, kinsols centre span was reconstructed in 1935 to more accurately fit the alignment of the track. History and beauty worth saving the trestle, one of the few accessible and visible.
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