Barkers Bridge Guilford
1857 present 1948 –
Bridge over the Swan River between Meadow Street, Guildford and West Swan Road, Caversham, linking Guildford and Caversham. Earlier bridges across the Swan River at this point were erected in 1855 and 1900. The 1855 bridge was constructed by Captain E.W. Ducane to the plan of an American railway bridge. Roses planted at the time of its construction as part of the beautifications of the approaches still survive.
- Construction
- Timber
- Size
- Owner
- Location
- linking Guildford and Caversham, between Meadow Street, Guildford and West Swan Road,
- Underwater
Gallery
History
The original Barker’s Bridge, named after Samuel Barker, a local storekeeper, was built with convict labour and completed in 1854 at the north end of what was then known as River Street. A second public bridge was built here in 1885. The present bridge dates from 1948. The bridge developed as a well known rendezvous point for locals on their way to town around the turn of the 20th century. A stand of lillac trees were planted to give shade to travellers waiting for a ferry ride across the Swan River at this point.
