IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
SITE DESCRIPTION: #
The dive site at the Bridge over Old Highway 2 near Dickinson’s Landing is a fascinating location, providing a unique underwater exploration opportunity. The area was once a thriving community that became submerged during the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s. The remnants of Highway 2, including this bridge, lie submerged beneath the waters, offering a snapshot of a bygone era.
The bridge itself, along with the remains of the old highway, is accessible to divers, with depths ranging from just a few feet to approximately 15 feet. The site includes remnants of the road and the bridge structure that once served as a vital link in the community before the area was flooded.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: #
Dickinson’s Landing was a vibrant community known for its summer recreation activities, including swimming, boating, and even horse racing. The site where the bridge lies was once close to a racetrack owned by Jimmy Conners, a renowned local horseman. One of his horses, Gilbert Gratton, was infamous for its peculiar attachment to a nanny goat, refusing to race or even move without the goat’s presence.
The bridge at Hoople’s Creek, now submerged, was once part of the route leading to this racetrack. The area around Dickinson’s Landing was also known for its riverboat captains, adding to the rich maritime history of the region. However, in 1958, the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway led to the flooding of Dickinson’s Landing and surrounding areas, submerging the bridge and parts of the old Highway 2 under the waters of the St. Lawrence River.
DIVE SITE EXPERIENCE: #
Divers visiting this site will encounter the submerged remnants of the bridge and the old highway, with visibility varying depending on the conditions. The site is relatively shallow, making it accessible to divers of all skill levels. The underwater landscape provides a unique opportunity to explore historical structures now resting quietly beneath the water’s surface.
The Bridge over Old Highway 2 is part of a series of dive sites in the area that collectively offer a glimpse into the past. The historical significance, combined with the eerie, tranquil setting of the submerged structures, makes this a popular site for divers interested in underwater archaeology and history.
ANALYSIS: #
This dive site is more than just an exploration of a submerged structure; it is a journey into the past, offering a direct connection to the life and stories of those who lived in Dickinson’s Landing before the flood of 1958. The site serves as an underwater museum, preserving the memories and infrastructure of a community that was lost to progress and development.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Provides information on underwater sites and preservation efforts.
- Scuba Diving Ontario: Details on dive sites across Ontario, including historical wrecks and submerged structures.
- Heritage Conservation: Resources on the historical impact of the St. Lawrence Seaway project.
KEYWORDS: #
Dickinson’s Landing, Submerged Bridge, Old Highway 2, St. Lawrence Seaway, Hoople’s Creek, Underwater Archaeology, Ontario Dive Sites.
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
SITE DESCRIPTION: #
The dive site at the Bridge over Old Highway 2 near Dickinson’s Landing is a fascinating location, providing a unique underwater exploration opportunity. The area was once a thriving community that became submerged during the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s. The remnants of Highway 2, including this bridge, lie submerged beneath the waters, offering a snapshot of a bygone era.
The bridge itself, along with the remains of the old highway, is accessible to divers, with depths ranging from just a few feet to approximately 15 feet. The site includes remnants of the road and the bridge structure that once served as a vital link in the community before the area was flooded.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: #
Dickinson’s Landing was a vibrant community known for its summer recreation activities, including swimming, boating, and even horse racing. The site where the bridge lies was once close to a racetrack owned by Jimmy Conners, a renowned local horseman. One of his horses, Gilbert Gratton, was infamous for its peculiar attachment to a nanny goat, refusing to race or even move without the goat’s presence.
The bridge at Hoople’s Creek, now submerged, was once part of the route leading to this racetrack. The area around Dickinson’s Landing was also known for its riverboat captains, adding to the rich maritime history of the region. However, in 1958, the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway led to the flooding of Dickinson’s Landing and surrounding areas, submerging the bridge and parts of the old Highway 2 under the waters of the St. Lawrence River.
DIVE SITE EXPERIENCE: #
Divers visiting this site will encounter the submerged remnants of the bridge and the old highway, with visibility varying depending on the conditions. The site is relatively shallow, making it accessible to divers of all skill levels. The underwater landscape provides a unique opportunity to explore historical structures now resting quietly beneath the water’s surface.
The Bridge over Old Highway 2 is part of a series of dive sites in the area that collectively offer a glimpse into the past. The historical significance, combined with the eerie, tranquil setting of the submerged structures, makes this a popular site for divers interested in underwater archaeology and history.
ANALYSIS: #
This dive site is more than just an exploration of a submerged structure; it is a journey into the past, offering a direct connection to the life and stories of those who lived in Dickinson’s Landing before the flood of 1958. The site serves as an underwater museum, preserving the memories and infrastructure of a community that was lost to progress and development.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Provides information on underwater sites and preservation efforts.
- Scuba Diving Ontario: Details on dive sites across Ontario, including historical wrecks and submerged structures.
- Heritage Conservation: Resources on the historical impact of the St. Lawrence Seaway project.
KEYWORDS: #
Dickinson’s Landing, Submerged Bridge, Old Highway 2, St. Lawrence Seaway, Hoople’s Creek, Underwater Archaeology, Ontario Dive Sites.
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