Susan Padget asks whether it’s true that some of the workers died during the construction of the High Level Bridge.

Listen first, then read below the spoiler bar for more information.

This episode includes significant discussion of death, including self-harm. If you’re having mental health issues, the CMHA Distress Line is a great resource to reach out to. Give them a call at 780-482-HELP.

We started our journey at the City of Edmonton Archives, while the snow and slush were still blowing.

We found a great shot from an Edmonton Journal article looking back at the day the bridge first opened to train traffic.

One of the sources we consulted was Kath MacLean, who wrote a poem about Luke McDonough called There Was A Young Man.

We also spoke to filmmaker Trevor Anderson, who made a short film about the bridge.

The bridge looks quite a bit different in 2018.

Karen Simonson from the Provincial Archives of Alberta was good enough to join us at the High Level Bridge to talk about what we found.

Further Reading:

• Christian Olsen death certificate [Provincial Archives of Alberta]
• Christian Olsen coroner inquest [Provincial Archives of Alberta, Accession Number 67.172]
• Luke McDonough death certificate [Provincial Archives of Alberta]
• Luke McDonough coroner inquest [Provincial Archives of Alberta, Accession Number 67.172]
• “Workman Killed By Pile Driver” – Edmonton Bulletin, Nov 21, 1910
• “Luke McDonough Killed on Saturday” – Lacombe Western Globe, Nov 23, 1910
• “Jury Absolves Contractors” – Edmonton Bulletin, Dec 11, 1910
• “Bridge Workers to Talk Over Terms” – Edmonton Journal, Oct 3, 1912
• Edmonton Journal Interview with John Gunn & Sons (1, 2) – June 9, 1913
• “Immediate Action Demanded Respecting High Level Trouble” – Edmonton Journal, Oct 3, 1912
• “High Level Bridge is 30 Years Old” – Edmonton Journal, July 31, 1942
• “The Third Column: City Bridges” by Old-Timer – Edmonton Journal, (date not specified)
• “The High Level Bridge at 100” – Edmonton City as Museum Project, July 17, 2014

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