26 - Wednesday, Junuary 27, 1088 . % North Shore News THE CAPILANO Suspension Bridge sways 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Cepilano River in North Vancouver. The attraction’s 15-acre nature park includes a log cabin trading post. TOURIST ATTRACTION Footbridge’s history began in 19th century THE LONGEST suspension foot- bridge in the world, the North Shore’s Capilano Suspension Bridge, has a history that goes back to the late 19th century. In 1888 Scotsman George Grant McKay discovered the spot where Capilano Suspension Bridge now stands. impressed by the beauty of the location, he later gathered a crew of Scotsmen to build a big cedar Jog chalet on the cast bank of the Capilano River for himself and his bride, Jessie. In 1889 he constructed a hemp rope and wooden bridge across the canyon. With the help of Chief August Jack Kitsilano, August Jack’s brother Willy and a team of horses, they dragged the cable across the gorge, secured them to tree trunks and pulled them taut. The Indians cailed the bridge the “aughing bridge,”’ but no one to- day knows why. Perhaps it made a laughing noise in the wind or perhaps the laughing matter was the crazy Scotsman’s building a bridge to nowhere. The bridge and lodge proved to be quite an attraction and drew so many sightseers that in 1905, when the property was bought by W.T. Farrell, a new concrete and more secure steel cable bridge with the ends solidly encased in concrete was built. This wire bridge was replaced again in 1916 by the third owner, David Cameron. While there have been several owners of the bridge since those early days, two are noteworthy. Another Scotsman, Archibald McEachren, livened up the place and added to its tourist appeal in the early 1930s. Adding a tea room on the sight of McKay's original cabin, he pro- vided serenading musicians and at- tractive waitresses — certainly an escape from the realities of the Depression. It was also at this time that the carved figures were added to the park grounds. Some of these life- size B.C. red cedar figures were done by Aage Madsen, who was paid for these carvings with provi- sions and a place to live -- a small hut on the far side of the bridge. The figure of the native woman and papoose now in the totem park is a likeness of Mary Capilano, mother of Chief Mat- thias Joe who carved several of the large totem poles also on the grounds. Most of the improvements, however, were done by Rae Mit- chell after he purchased the bridge in 1953. Three years later Mitchell replaced it with multistrand prestressed wire cables secured by the three tons of concrete at either side of the canyon. The Thunderbird Tea Room became the Trading Post souvenir and gift shop under several expan- sions, one encouraged by two tall trees during Typhoon Freida in 1961. The bridge remained intact. Taking advantage of the verdant surroundings, Mitchell developed the western side of the bridge with trails winding through the tall Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, and the many varieties of berries, wildflowers and shrubs. The bridge is still in the Mitchell family today. JOHN BISHOP Jewellers Ltd. 1598 Lonsdale Ave., North Van. Meeting the Challenge of the rd Year fy John Bishop Company Founder Watchmaker since 1927 Ron Bishop Gokismith Engraver Varo Tapio Watchmaker We offer full tire staff services of certified jewellers (goldsmiths), diamond setters, engravers, and a graduate North mologist. All work done on the premises. We are the only store on the hore with this knowledge and experience. We are constantly keeping our gern lab updated with the latest gem testing and appraisal equipment. This is necessary in today's world of synthetic and treated gemstones. e Watchmakers e Gemologist Your One Stop Complete Jewellery Centre ¢ Free Estimates ° Low Prices Store Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:00 to 5:00 ° Jewellers ° Engravers THE STORE THAT KEEPS NORTH VANCOUVER TICKING & TALKING 988-4717