Fort Lauderdale in Broward County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bridge of the Isles
Photographed By Jay Kravetz, October 9, 2017
1. Bridge of the Isles Marker
Inscription.
Bridge of the Isles. . During the 1920s Florida Land Boom, the present-day Nurmi Isles subdivision was dredged to create the four finger islands. Bridges providing access to each island were constructed, but no additional development occurred until Victor Nurmi purchased the property in 1944. Nurmi had a vision for development of the subdivision, and one of the first construction projects he undertook was the replacement of the 1920s bridges. The four new bridges were intended to be gateways to the islands. Designed as low-level bridges, they provided sweeping views of the subdivision’s palm-lined boulevards. The bridges included sidewalks and low-level, recessed lighting. Constructed by the Powell Brothers of Fort Lauderdale, they were of cast in place concrete slab engineering. The bridge railings were concrete, with simple relief designs similar to those of the original bridges. The bridges included Moderne design features in their decorative pedestals, urns, and lettering, which have been incorporated into the designs of the current bridges. The historic bridges were significant for their association with the history of Fort Lauderdale’s finger island development, and were replaced in 2015 and 2016.
During the 1920s Florida Land Boom, the present-day Nurmi Isles subdivision was dredged to create the four finger islands. Bridges providing access to each island were constructed, but no additional development occurred until Victor Nurmi purchased the property in 1944. Nurmi had a vision for development of the subdivision, and one of the first construction projects he undertook was the replacement of the 1920s bridges. The four new bridges were intended to be gateways to the islands. Designed as low-level bridges, they provided sweeping views of the subdivision’s palm-lined boulevards. The bridges included sidewalks and low-level, recessed lighting. Constructed by the Powell Brothers of Fort Lauderdale, they were of cast in place concrete slab engineering. The bridge railings were concrete, with simple relief designs similar to those of the original bridges. The bridges included Moderne design features in their decorative pedestals, urns, and lettering, which have been incorporated into the designs of the current bridges. The historic bridges were significant for their association with the history of Fort Lauderdale’s finger island development, and were replaced in 2015 and 2016.
Erected 2015 by Florida Department of Transportation, District 4 and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number
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F-864.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts.
Location. 26° 7.212′ N, 80° 7.191′ W. Marker is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in Broward County. Marker is on East Las Olas Boulevard (State Road 842) west of NE 20th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Lauderdale FL 33301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2017, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2017, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.