Researchers hope to borrow corduroy road samples
UW will study samples to determine age, species of wood used in a road built circa 1800
WATERLOO — Researchers from the University of Waterloo are appealing to the public to donate portions of the corduroy road unearthed in uptown Waterloo in 2016 for further study.
Fourth-year student Madeline Brenner is working with UW assistant professor Andrew Trant from the faculty of environment, resources and sustainability to study the wooden road found beneath King Street. They want to determine the age and species of the wood and get a better idea of what the surrounding ecosystem.
“I’m hoping people who have samples are willing to either loan or donate them to my research until December,” said Brenner.
The samples will remain intact. The researchers will be studying the growth rings visible at the edges of the wood, so no cutting of the samples will be required and they will be returned at the end of the term.
About 100 pieces were handed out to the public in mid-2016 after the road was uncovered. Another 100 pieces were distributed after a second section of road was found near Conestoga Mall.
The UW research team only has about 10 samples in its collection and Brenner said she hopes to obtain another 40 or 50 pieces.
Initial estimates suggested the road dates back to about 1800, but the trees themselves could be twice that old, Trant says.
A corduroy road is made by placing logs over a low or swampy area to help keep wagons and horses from getting stuck in the muck. They are some of the first examples of roads built in the province.
Waterloo’s corduroy road was discovered about two metres below King Street during lightrail transit construction in March 2016. LRT work was delayed for several weeks to give archeologists time to unearth and document the find. An archeological assessment estimated the road was built between 1790 and 1816 by local Mennonites, then buried around 1840.
If you’re interested in donating to the project, contact Brenner via email at mfbenner@gmail.com.