Pont convert de Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc

The covered bridge in Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc was built in 1936 to connect the banks of the Shawinigan River. At the time, this part of the municipality was very prosperous and home to a sawmill, a cheese factory, and a blacksmith’s shop. In fact, you can still see the imposing concrete pillars, remnants of the sawmill. The bridge, designated a historic monument by the municipality in 2001, was restored in 2009, restoring its former grandeur. Near the bridge, along the Shawinigan River, the municipality established a historic park in 2007 to commemorate part of this area’s history. Interpretive panels have also been installed along the park’s trails, recounting the key events of this prosperous era.