Fellsmere in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fellsmere Grade
Photographed By Jay Kravetz, June 23, 2016
1. Fellsmere Grade Marker
Inscription.
Fellsmere Grade. . Fellsmere, the northernmost town in St. Lucie County in 1919, had a population of over 800 people. The county built the first public road to cross the St. Johns River marsh in St. Lucie County (now Indian River County). Promoted as the Fellsmere-Tampa cross state road, this road allowed travel between the interior and the coast. From 1919 until the 1940's, this road served as an important transportation route from Fellsmere, across the river to Kenansville, the sawmill at Holopaw, and the cattle markets of Kissimmee, but it never reached Tampa. During these decades it became a state road (SSR 170) and provided a corridor to Central Florida and a recreational access to the St. Johns River marshes. The town of Fellsmere was dependent on the sportsmen attracted to these resources. In the late 1940's the bridges burned across the river and the Fellsmere Grade ended in the marsh six miles from this site. Today this road serves the public as a recreational access.
Fellsmere, the northernmost town in St. Lucie County in 1919, had a population of over 800 people. The county built the first public road to cross the St. Johns River marsh in St. Lucie County (now Indian River County). Promoted as the Fellsmere-Tampa cross state road, this road allowed travel between the interior and the coast. From 1919 until the 1940's, this road served as an important transportation route from Fellsmere, across the river to Kenansville, the sawmill at Holopaw, and the cattle markets of Kissimmee, but it never reached Tampa. During these decades it became a state road (SSR 170) and provided a corridor to Central Florida and a recreational access to the St. Johns River marshes. The town of Fellsmere was dependent on the sportsmen attracted to these resources. In the late 1940's the bridges burned across the river and the Fellsmere Grade ended in the marsh six miles from this site. Today this road serves the public as a recreational access.
Erected 1999 by St. Johns River Water Management District, Indian River County Historical Society, and Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-404.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 27° 49.345′ N, 80°
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36.448′ W. Marker is in Fellsmere, Florida, in Indian River County. Marker is at the intersection of Fellsmere Grade Road and Babcock Street SE (County Road 507), on the left when traveling west on Fellsmere Grade Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fellsmere FL 32948, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2016, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 810 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2016, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
