History of Ball's Bridge - Huron County by Daryl Ball

The Ball Bridge had a very interesting beginning.

It was 1884 and my Great Grandmother used to carry farm produce to the town of Goderich to sell in order to purchase many household items, such as, sugar and other baking supplies.

In the summer months, the whole family would remove their shoes to cross the Maitland River on the flat rock. This crossing took place on the foot of the hill on which the Ball family settled when they arrived from England.

They would walk the 8 or 9 miles it took to get to the Town of Goderich. During this summer, a bridge at the mouth of the Maitland, was being built. During her several trips that summer, Great Grandma took her daughter with her. On these occasions, the engineer who was in charge of the building of the bridge fell in love with the Ball daughter.

The next summer the crew built Ball Bridge on a given road at the place where the Ball family crossed to go to Goderich. The Ball family supplied the room and board for the workers who built the bridge. That summer was a very wet one and many of the workers took sick with colds. There was a cold remedy developed for the workers by the Ball wives.

At the end of the summer, there was a great gala event held to celebrate the completion of this double span wrought iron bridge that included a huge parade.

After the bridge was completed, the engineer married the Ball daughter and they moved to upper Michigan. My Grandfather Amos took his first steps as a baby on a ship when they were travelling to northern Michigan.

When the bridge was built, it had some controversy, as it was built on a given road, not a planned road, but it has always played a significant role in transporation between Hullet, Goderich and Colbourne Townships.

"Ball's Bridge was constructed in 1882 and replaced an earlier bridge built of wood. The cast iron structure comprises two spans, each of 120 feet in length. The piers are of riverbed limestone built probably by local stonesmason Mr. Naegele. Named for the Ball family whose homestead is adjacent, it is one of the few remaining iron bridges in the area. The design of the bridge has an elegance derived from a minimal and economical use of material."

From "Early Building in Colborne and Goderich Townships Huron County" by Nicholas Hill.

A postcard featuring Ball's Bridge (Click here to enlarge)

If you have any historical information on Ball's Bridge that you would like to share on this website please contact us at dball@friendsofballsbridge.com.