"Where wilderness meets water"
CLIFTON-FINE
The Wanakena Footbridge
 Wanakena Footbridge |  Wanakena FootbridgeCourtesy of Phil Friden |  Wanakena Footbridge |
|---|---|---|
 Wanakena FootbridgeCourtesy of June Worden |  Ice dam devastationJanuary 2014 |  Damage to our beloved bridge |
 Ice Dam devastation |  Damaged beyond repair |  Submerged remains |
 Submerged remains |  Removal of the bridge |
The Wanakena Footbridge was constructed in 1902 and spanned 171 feet across the "Oswegatchie River", in the hamlet of Wanakena.
It was originally built to provide a crossing for the employees of the Rich Lumber Company to reach the lumber mills on the opposite side of the river.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, and was a beloved landmark of the entire Clifton-Fine Community.
In January of 2014 the bridge was damaged beyond repair, when an ice dam let loose upstream and collided with the bridge, twisting and tearing it from it's supports on the shores of the river.
Immediately afterward, the ENTIRE community (far and wide) started a massive fundraising campaign to rebuild and restore our beautiful, and beloved footbridge, and to" rebridge the gap", that the missing bridge has left in our community, and our hearts.
Read all about our progress on the Wanakena Footbridge by
or to make a donation by