Titusville in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Titusville Veteran's Memorial Fishing Pier
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 22, 2016
1. Titusville Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier Marker
Inscription.
Titusville Veteran's Memorial Fishing Pier. . This pier was the western end of Walker Bridge, the first bridge linking Titusville to Merritt Island. Built in 1922, the hand-cranked, wooden drawbridge served the area until preparations for a modern causeway began in the late 1930s. Causeway construction halted following the United States’ entrance into World War II. A temporary connection was built linking the unfinished causeway to the bridge. In 1942, an Army transport laden with soldiers and equipment failed to make the turn at this juncture, which resulted in an accident that claimed the lives of six soldiers. Several inmates from a labor crew working nearby aided in the rescue. Despite saving several soldiers and recovering the bodies of the deceased, they received little public recognition for their efforts. After the war, construction resumed, and the causeway opened in 1949. Local citizens petitioned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for ownership of this remaining part of Walker Bridge for use as a public fishing pier. Valued by locals and tourists alike, the pier has been restored through the generosity of the local community to ensure it will remain a cherished gathering place for generations to come.
This pier was the western end of Walker Bridge, the first bridge linking Titusville to Merritt Island. Built in 1922, the hand-cranked, wooden drawbridge served the area until preparations for a modern causeway began in the late 1930s. Causeway construction halted following the United States’ entrance into World War II. A temporary connection was built linking the unfinished causeway to the bridge. In 1942, an Army transport laden with soldiers and equipment failed to make the turn at this juncture, which resulted in an accident that claimed the lives of six soldiers. Several inmates from a labor crew working nearby aided in the rescue. Despite saving several soldiers and recovering the bodies of the deceased, they received little public recognition for their efforts. After the war, construction resumed, and the causeway opened in 1949. Local citizens petitioned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for ownership of this remaining part of Walker Bridge for use as a public fishing pier. Valued by locals and tourists alike, the pier has been restored through the generosity of the local community to ensure it will remain a cherished gathering place for generations to come.
Erected 2016 by The Brevard County Historical Commission, The Brevard County Tourist Development Council and the Florida Department
Location. 28° 37.165′ N, 80° 48.032′ W. Marker is in Titusville, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker can be reached from A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway (County Road 402) 0.4 miles east of Indian River Avenue. Marker is on the north side of the present bridge at the end of the parking area for pier. Pier is beyond marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 A Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville FL 32796, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Titusville Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier Marker at end of parking area
Photographed By Diane Murphy, March 2024
3. Titusville Veteran's Memorial Fishing Pier Marker
Photographed By Diane Murphy, March 2024
4. Titusville Veteran's Memorial Fishing Pier Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2024, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
