Lennox Bridge, Parramatta, 1836-1839

Lennox Bridge, looking south down Church Street,
Parramatta Council Heritage Centre Collection

David Lennox was born in Ayr, Scotland, and was trained as a stonemason. He was experienced in bridge 

building under the famous engineer Thomas Telford having worked on a stone bridge across the Severn in 

Gloucester and the Menai suspension bridge in north-west Wales. After the death of his wife, he sought 

employment in the colony arriving as an unassisted migrant in 1832. His talents were soon recognised and he 

was appointed as Superintendent of Bridges; became the first skilled bridge builder on the mainland. Any 

doubts about his ability were dispelled after his design and construction of a horseshoe shaped bridge at 

Lapstone (1833) and the 110 feet clear span bridge at Lansdowne over Prospect Creek (1834-1836).[55]