The Don River Bridge, 1803

Johann Albrecht Ulrich Moll, who adopted the name William Berczy, was born in Wallerstein, Germany, in 1744. Leading a group of settlers to York in 1794, Berczy, an artist, architect, writer and engineer, created the first roads and buildings in the town, built Yonge Street and founded Markham Township. In 1803 he drew the plans for a wooden suspension bridge for this location. It was 33 m long and 7 m wide and of a very advanced design.