Kissing Bridge puzzle pieces together historic landmark in Woolwich Township

An Elmira man has turned the West Montrose Kissing Bridge into a 1,000 piece puzzle. CTV’s Alexandra Holyk explains why.

An iconic Ontario landmark has been turned into little pieces of history.

The West Montrose Covered Bridge, also known as the Kissing Bridge, is currently undergoing a $12 million renovation. But fans can rebuild it themselves, in the form of a 1,000-piece puzzle created by Elmira resident Brad Roth.

He grew up in Winterbourne and spent a lot of his younger years near the 144-year-old bridge.

“Did some fishing and catching crayfish, frogs,” Roth recalled. “You know, what typical seven, eight-year-old kids do.”

His bridge-side pastimes were captured in a photo that was turned into a postcard in 1970.

“It was a picture of my brother and I fishing right beside the bridge,” he said.

Roth decided in 2023 he wanted to preserve the past, while preparing for the bridge’s future.

“I thought, I’ll make it into a puzzle,” he said. “Then I came up with the bright idea of ordering 1,000 puzzles and giving the proceeds to the Bridgekeepers to help them maintain the bridge and clean it up.”

The Bridgekeepers – West Montrose Residents’ Association is a neighbourhood group dedicated to preserving the bridge and the community that surrounds it.

So far, Roth has raised more than $2,000 for his puzzle project.

“The money that I’m going to make for them is nowhere near going to pay much of the bill that’s going to be incurred with this project,” he admitted. “But I thought, whatever I can make will help.”

Since Roth began making the puzzles in 2023, he’s sold more than half his inventory. Each puzzle costs $25 and is sold at various stores and community spaces, including Living Waters Book & Toy Store, West Montrose Family Camp and Woolwich Community Services.

The Kissing Bridge, which was built in 1881, is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario. It’s become a major tourist attraction in Woolwich Township – creating memories that will last a lifetime.

“It’s one of a kind,” said Roth. “It means a lot to a lot of people.”

The aim of the renovation project is to maintain the outer appearance of the Kissing Bridge, while improving its structural integrity.

The West Montrose Covered Bridge is expected to stay closed until December 2026.