Hawkesbury People & Places
Fitzroy Bridge
Bridge
Also known as the South Creek Bridge, this bridge crosses South Creek from McGraths Hill to the town of Windsor, New South Wales.
Several types of bridges have been erected in this location since European settlement in 1794. Initially, a floating bridge was constructed in 1802 by Andrew Thompson who collected tolls from passing traffic. Later, in 1813 a log bridge was constructed under the supervision of John Howe known as Howe’s Bridge.
In 1848 a new wooden arch bridge named after Governor Fitzroy replaced the former structure only to be replaced by an iron bridge in 1879/81. The present concrete bridge was opened in 1974.
The Tender for the construction of the Fitzroy Bridge was advertised in the New South Wales Government Gazette on 14 January 1879.
The firm of D. & W. Robertson were awarded the contract for the supply ironwork for the new bridge on the 18 February 1879 with G H Royce being given the responsibility of construction. In August 1879 the Sydney Morning Herald reportd that:
The demolition of the old Fitzroy Bridge, over South Creek, is now being rapidly proceeded with, in order to make way for the new iron bridge.
In December 1880, the newspaper again reported on the progress of the new iron bridge:
The last girder of the Fitzroy Bridge was fixed on Thursday. Great glee was manifested over the event. Vocalism was around.
The bridge was opened to traffic in early March 1881.
Reference: p 17
Andrew Thompson built the first bridge over South Creek in 1802. It was a floating structure which was later replaced by a more permanent structure in 1813 named after its builder, John Howe. This bridge was replaced again in 1853 by an arched structure and then by the Fitzroy Bridge in 1881. The Fitzroy Bridge was of iron construction which was again superceded by a wider reinforced concrete bridge.
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