Orchid Island in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Quay/Winter Beach Bridge Road
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 14, 2022
1. Quay/Winter Beach Bridge Road Marker
Inscription.
Quay/Winter Beach Bridge Road. . In the early 20th century, the Indian River was a highway for settlers and tourists. There were few roads, and no bridges from the mainland to the barrier islands in the Indian River County area. In 1923, a road with bridges was opened, crossing the river at the Narrows. The road ran from Quay (later renamed Winter Beach) eastward to Hole-in-the-Wall Island, across the southern tip of Pine Island, and over the main channel to join Jungle Trail on Orchid Island. Across the narrow road and rickety bridges, developers and tourists came looking to build winter homes with access to the Atlantic beaches. In addition, settlers on Orchid Island sent their winter vegetables and world-famous citrus back to the mainland to be loaded on to the Florida East Coast Railway. At the Winter Beach Bridge’s eastern terminus is Bridge Tender Park, the former site of the bridge tender’s home. The tender’s job was to open the metal swing span over the main channel for boats traveling up and down the river. After World War II, the Winter Beach Bridge burned, and the metal span was removed, leaving only the pilings. Winter Beach Road and its bridge alignments are listed as one of Indian River County’s Scenic and Historic Roads. , A Florida Heritage Site
In the early 20th century, the Indian River was a highway for settlers and tourists. There were few roads, and no bridges from the mainland to the barrier islands in the Indian River County area. In 1923, a road with bridges was opened, crossing the river at the Narrows. The road ran from Quay (later renamed Winter Beach) eastward to Hole-in-the-Wall Island, across the southern tip of Pine Island, and over the main channel to join Jungle Trail on Orchid Island. Across the narrow road and rickety bridges, developers and tourists came looking to build winter homes with access to the Atlantic beaches. In addition, settlers on Orchid Island sent their winter vegetables and world-famous citrus back to the mainland to be loaded on to the Florida East Coast Railway. At the Winter Beach Bridge’s eastern terminus is Bridge Tender Park, the former site of the bridge tender’s home. The tender’s job was to open the metal swing span over the main channel for boats traveling up and down the river. After World War II, the Winter Beach Bridge burned, and the metal span was removed, leaving only the pilings. Winter Beach Road and its bridge alignments are listed as one of Indian River County’s Scenic and Historic Roads.
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2019 by The Indian River County Historical Society,
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Tourist Development County of Indian River, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1068.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 27° 43.658′ N, 80° 23.63′ W. Marker is on Orchid Island, Florida, in Indian River County. Marker is on Old Winter Beach Road, half a mile west of Florida Route A1A. Marker is located in Bridge Tender Park at the end of Old Winter Beach Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vero Beach FL 32963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 25, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
