Nipissing Pioneers

The survey and engineering crew staked out the Canada Central rail right of way west of Pembroke. The Canada Central Extension ended in Callander where the CPR took over and drove its first spike. The surveying and engineering officials knew the railroad would cross Chippewa Creek at the point where it emptied into Lake Nipissing 18.5 miles from Callander. The engineers planned for a bridge over Chippewa Creek to allow rail traffic to continue westward. Under authority of the Act 44 Vict 12, and Order In Council 27th April 1881, the engineers arranged to order a bridge. The Toronto Bridge Company completed construction and shipped the bridge components on GTR cars No 6371 and 4600 September 1, 1882 to Brockville. From Brockville, the cars proceeded to Pembroke and west to Chippewa Creek on a construction train. The installation of the 54 X 14 feet girder bridge over Chippewa Creek allowed traffic to continue as far as the station. The first train arrived December 27, 1882 but the tracks ended just past the station.