Bell’s Bridge & O’Leary’s Crossing

The crossing of the Mary River at Bell’s Bridge was known as O’Leary’s Crossing before the first bridge infrastructure was built. O’Leary was named after Irish migrant William George O’Leary who took up land on the Mary River.

1908: First Bell’s Bridge

The Gympie Times reported on the opening of the new bridge at O’Leary’s Crossing on 30 May 1908. The bridge was ready but the official opening was delayed until Thursday, 28 May 1908 due to the desire of the attendance of then Minister for Lands, the Honourable Mr J. T. Bell. Therein lies the answer, that Mr Bell opened the new Bridge, named in the Minister’s honour – Bell’s Bridge.

1908 Opening of Bell’s Bridge. Photo provided by Des and Gwenda Anderson

The Gympie Times, Tuesday, 27 May 1958, page 4

Official opening of Bell’s Bridge. In the buggy at the opening are Councillor James Fraser of Widgee Shire, T. Bell, the Minister for Lands in the light coloured suit, and W. Mulcahy, MLA for Gympie among other notables.

Minister for Lands, Mr T. Bell is in the light suit. On his right is Mr W. C. Anderson, then Chairman of the Widgee Shire Council

The Gympie Times, 30 May 1908

Bell’s Bridge after flood, circa 1920’s

Bell’s Bridge circa 1930’s

1954 Planning of New Bell’s Bridge

At a meeting of councils in the Wide Bay and Burnett in September 1954 Councillor T. H. Spencer, Chairman of Kilkivan Shire Council discusses the need for a Bell’s Bridge replacement: