The historical Brilliant Bridge, which spans the Kootenay River near Brilliant, B.C., has always fascinated me. The project was completed in 1913, an undertaking of the members of the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood with the Government of British Columbia providing some financial aid. The many times I have walked or driven past or over this bridge, I could not help but wonder how this suspension bridge was built. My interest in the bridge was further helped by the fact that both my grandfathers worked on the construction of the bridge. It was this interest which helped me choose a research paper on the history of the Brilliant Bridge as a term project in Anthropology.
