Fort Meade in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
John Singletary Bridge
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
1. John Singletary Bridge Marker
The first bridge on this site was built along with the original Fort Meade in the mid-1800s. The crossing was in constant need of repair and reconstruction to serve military and civilians along the Peace River. The county began construction of what would become the John Singletary Bridge in 1927. The new structure was a reinforced concrete T-Beam bridge built to carry US 98 traffic over the Peace River. John Owen Singletary (1884-1931) had recently been elected to serve on the Polk County Commission, and he was an outspoken advocate for improving road conditions. When the bridge opened in 1928, it was one of the most modern in the county, an excellent example of artistic and construction trends that emphasized beauty and harmony with the natural surroundings. Decorative details included lampposts and pre-cast concrete post-and- lintel railings with pierced six point stars and triangular shaped openings. In 1931, the bridge was dedicated in honor of Singletary with a plaque placed on the southwest bridge post. The bridge was one of only four concrete bridges built in Polk County between 1926 and 1938. It was replaced in 2023 and the railings were relocated to the Fort Meade Outdoor Recreation Area.
A FLorida Heritage Site
Erected 2023 by The Florida Department of Transportation
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 27° 45.086′ N, 81° 46.654′ W. Marker is in Fort Meade, Florida, in Polk County. It is on Frostproof Highway (U.S. 98) 0.2 miles west of Pool Branch Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1639 Frostproof Hwy, Fort Meade FL 33841, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Florida. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Willoughby Tillis Battle Monument (approx. Ύ mile away); Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Site of Fort Meade (approx. 1.1 miles away); Christ Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); The W. Henry Lewis House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Florida 2000 Center of Population (approx. 1½ miles away); Fort Meade Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Historic Kissengen Spring (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Meade.
Also see . . . Singletary Bridge Dedication. (Submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
2. John Singletary Bridge Marker and pieces of original railing
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 18, 2025
3. John Singletary Bridge original dedication plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 19, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
