west montrose covered bridge

There's an historic kissing bridge near Toronto

Less than 90 minutes from Toronto lies one of the most cherished and rarest pieces of Ontario history - the last wooden covered bridge in the entire province.

The West Montrose Covered Bridge, located in West Montrose, is an iconic site of Waterloo County, and many people believe it's a miracle that it still stands after 137 years.

Built in 1881, this beloved bridge has survived high winds, floods, snow and ice storms, and the test of time.

Built from mostly oak and white pine when first constructed, many elements of the bridge have been replaced over the decades to ensure its durability and stability.

A post shared by JW (@chsingwaterfalls) on

The West Montrose Covered Bridge was designated as a Provincial Historic Site in August of 1960. Since 2007, the Bridge has also been protected under the Ontario Heritage Act and is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

Also known to locals as "The Kissing Bridge" due to the intimacy and privacy the covered structure offers, it has becoming increasingly popular for nervous lovers to pop the question under.

The romantic nature of the bridge also makes it an epic spot to shoot engagement or wedding photos.

Last year, the bridge garnered a ton of attention due to the remake of ‘IT’, which shot several scenes starring the child actors around the bridge - sadly, Pennywise never made an appearance.

A post shared by Christine (@christinegarus) on

The film is set in the state of Maine, which has 9 wooden covered bridges still standing.

A post shared by Ruibecca (@ruibeccaaaaaaaaa) on

Today, the bridge can still be used by pedestrians, buggy traffic, and vehicles weighing less than three tonnes for crossing the Grand River.

A post shared by Timothy King (@temk1ng) on

When you visit, be sure to also stop in at the Olde Bridge Place Gift Shop close to the bridge that is fully stocked with locally made souvenirs including jewelry, clothing, gourmet foods, home décor and more.

Lead photo by

mccormickphotography


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

Auston Matthews' game-winning goal for Leafs left Bruins announcer speechless

What to expect at Toronto Maple Leafs tailgates outside Scotiabank Arena

Someone went on a rant about 'outrageous' food prices at Toronto's Rogers Centre

Mississauga wants an NHL team to compete with the Leafs

MLB hitting coach under investigation over shocking video shot on Toronto flight

Here's how much it costs to see a Leafs vs Bruins playoff game in Toronto

Toronto marathon shutting down roads for two days instead of one this year

Toronto Raptors player banned for life from NBA