16/10/2026
In Glenreagh during the 1950 floods, the approaches to the traffic bridge across the Orara River were washed away. This view is taken from the western side of the bridge. On the centre left of the photograph, is Allan Taylor's sawmill, while behind it, can be seen a white house. This house is the eastern side of the railway line and was one of the railway fettler's homes. Note also, on the eastern side of the bridge, the lack of a well defined road from the bridge to the railway line and mill, quite unlike the one leading onto the bridge from the western side. A man can be seen standing on the far side of the bridge. On the bridge sides, you can also see how the white painted wire barrier fence was pushed out by the force of the water. A large piece of timber, seen under the western approach to the bridge, sits partially under the bridge. The dirt road approach, on the western side of the bridge, is quite in contrast to that on the eastern side. If you look closely you can also see the river level markings, which appear to indicate 30, 31 and 32 feet, on the left hand side of the bridge
A 1940s Chevrolet (?) flatbed truck, with no number plate, sits on the dirt road. This vehicle would have held the tools and other gear required for the bridge workers to use. The long pole seen behind it, would have been lifted into place to stop traffic from crossing the bridge. A tall steel tower can also be seen behind this vehicle and next to the southern side of the bridge. This may have been used to lift items into place.
To the right of the bridge, seen in the distance, is a house. This house was situated between the main railway line and the Glenreagh Dorrigo railway line. Also to the right, on the eastern side of the river, you can see the pump house for the mill. Did you also notice the bicycle that was on the far right of the picture?
Most notable of all is the lack of vegetation along the river bank, including camphor laurels. AccNr00074
