Palmetto Bay in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Chinese Bridge

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, November 29, 2014

1. Chinese Bridge Marker

Inscription.
In 1918 Charles Deering constructed this bridge to cross Cutler Creek on the way to his retirement home. At the time this accessway was called "Old Cutler Road". Deering relocated it from its original location inside the natural areas of his property. He chose the Chinese theme in startling contrast to the South Florida norm and to remind him of his travels through Asia as a young U.S. Naval officer.

Conservation work completed in conjunction with Rotary Club of Dadeland - Pinecrest, Community Project September 2001

Erected 2001 by Deering Estate at Cutler.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 25° 37.403′ N, 80° 18.588′ W. Marker is in Palmetto Bay, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. Marker is on Southwest 72nd Avenue, 0.2 miles south of Southwest 156th Street, on the right when traveling south. Chinese Bridge is located on a pedestrian street within a natural wildlife reserve of Deering Estate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16701 Southwest 72nd Avenue, Miami FL 33157, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this

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marker, measured as the crow flies. Deering Estate (approx. half a mile away); Old Cutler Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Perrine Land Grant (approx. 2.3 miles away); Miami Serpentarium (approx. 2.4 miles away); Special Agent Jerry Dove, Special Agent Benjamin Grogan (approx. 2½ miles away); The Town of Peters (approx. 3.1 miles away); Veterans Wayside Park (approx. 3.1 miles away); Whilden-Carrier Cottage (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palmetto Bay.

Regarding Chinese Bridge. As part of a coastal wetlands restoration project, the the natural flow of water from the Cutler Drain Canal C-100A in Palmetto Bay, Florida, was restablished under both the "new" and original Old Cutler Roads. The water now flows gently under the Chinese Bridge, part of the original road, to Biscayne Bay through the wildlife area of Deering Estate.

Also see . . .
1. Deering Estate. Website homepage (Submitted on July 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Charles Deering Estate. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Good memories
In my teens (and long ago) before

Chinese Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, November 29, 2014

2. Chinese Bridge

hurricane Andrew, the area where the Chinese Bridge is located was dark and overgrown with large trees, mangroves and thick vegetation. It was seldom visited except for me and other local teens headed to Biscayne Bay for evenings of careless fun in the dark.

I would drive my unsuspecting friends through the narrow and dark path with the lure of an unforgettable surprise. Just before the bridge I would step on the gas, turn off the headlights, fly over the hump then I would turn the headlights back on just before maneuvering past the slight curve on the other side... yes it was dangerous and exhilarating, and yes they would freak! I had it timed perfectly and I was invincible...LOL.

On the way back I would secretly admire the beautiful decorations on the bridge’s façade barely visible trough the vegetation. I would sometimes try to point it out to my oblivious passengers who never noticed, they were too rattled and still recovering from the experience.

Through the years I often remembered this delightful little bridge mysteriously lost in the mangroves and wondered why someone would build it there. Surely to cross a creek but why so elaborate? I was certain it was designed by a very creative and talented person for a purpose. I wondered if I was the only one who noticed and remembered the pretty little bridge in the middle of nowhere, forgotten and swallowed

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, November 29, 2014

3. Chinese Bridge

by nature. I wondered if it still existed.

I was very pleased to come across this webpage and find out it has been restored and once again has a purpose. I can hardly wait to visit agaom.

— Submitted June 7, 2021, by Otto Martin of Miami, Florida.

West view of restored water flow under bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, November 29, 2014

4. West view of restored water flow under bridge

East view of restored water flow under bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, November 29, 2014

5. East view of restored water flow under bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 4,887 times since then and 346 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 2, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.