41 - Suondsy, May 14, 1989 - North Shore News Society has weighty problem PAGE 42 BOOK CHRONICLES CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE HISTORY Laughing THE NATIVE pf-ople of Homulcheson village called it the laughing bridge. MICHAEL BECKER News Reporter When conditions were right and the wind whistled through the Capilano Canyon gorge, rushing air would play with the hemp rope supports of the first Capilano suspension bridge until the ticklish bridge began to “augh.’’ This year the Capilano Suspen- sion Bridge is celebrating a 100- year birthday party. A new book about the bridge, The Laughing Bridge, by Eleanore Dempster, chronicles several fascinating chapters worth of colorful local history. The earliest suspension bridge to span the Capilano River gorge was built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay with the help of Augusi Jack Khatsahiano and his brother Willie. In 1888, Mackay, the Laird of Capilano, snapped up 320 acres of virgin forest Iccated on the east side of the Capilano River with the plan in mind to eventually pur- chase over 4,000 acres in the area for recreational use. The first bridge was constructed near a clif- fside cabin Mackay had built for himself in 1889. The property was sold in 1892 to a group of investors and quickly became a favored destination for hikers. In 1904 the first steel cable suspension bridge was built. An inscription on a photograph taken during that year tags the new 3 | SCOTCHGARD AT 1/2 PRICE Truck-mounted cleaning | Furnace and duct cleaning Charge it your Sears account. SEARS Your money’s worth . . bridge, ‘‘The Nervous Bridge."’ This bridge was replaced in 1914 by a third owner, Edward Mahon. Archibald MacEachran capitalized on the tourist-trade drawing power of the attraction during the 1930s by building a tea room on the site of Mackay’s first cabin. He also began the process of planting totem poles at the site. Rae Mitchell bought the bridge in 1953 and replaced the existing bridge with the bridge which is still in service today. The suspension bridge is currently owned by Mit- chell’s daughter, Nancy Stibbard. Eleanore Dempster’s reason for writing and producing a book about the bridge is personal. Her grandchildren’s great-great pater- nal grandmother Elizabeth Reb- beck MacEachran lived at the bridge and managed the tea house for 25 years for Edward Mahon, their great-great uncle. Dempster’s mother-in-law, Gundrid Dempster, 94-years-old, and living in Abbotsford, is the last living former resident of the original cottage built by Mackay in 1889. “The book was done primariiy as a geneology project,’? the author said. ‘‘But I met a lot of in- teresting people. I learned some in- teresting history and was generally pleased with the whole experi- ence,”’ she said. Dempster began research work for the book in August 1987. The book, which she also typeset herself, was published a year ago. Has she heard the bridge laugh? Laughs Dempster: ‘‘No, I haven't heard the bridge laugh, but my association with the bridge is a bit bridge turns 100 AUTEOR ELEANORE Dempster has written a fascinating book chronicling a colorful bit of local history. Her book, The Laughing Bridge, looks at the people who built and operated the Capilano Suspension Bridge site. The bridge is celebrating 2 100th birthday this year. of a laugh. My knees buckle and I faint when I’m near heights!”’ Today the bridge draws more than a quarter of a million visitors to the site annually. On June 11, the bridge will be celebrated with a 100th birthday party. Special events include the raising and blessing of a 40-foot centennial totem pole carved by master carver Stan Joseph, native WITH CARPET CLEANING from Sears Homie Cleaning Living room, dining room, hallway and three bedrooms. Sofa and chair (most fabrics). . and more. Ow! BOOK N EXPIRES MAY 31, 1989 921-3011 Professional cleaning ‘ made affordable. | dancers, a coloring contest, a quartet, a balloon releasing cere- salmon barbecue, a barbershop mony, games and birthday cake.