South Bridge and shrimpers in Fort Pierce

This was scanned from a 60 year old post card. The fishing boats in the picture are probably shrimp boats. The South bridge in those days was closer to the water than the present bridge. The white building on the edge of the bridge is where the draw bridge operator stayed. When a ship needed to pass, he could rotate the turnstyle so that there was a "lane" on each side for Intercoastal Waterway traffic to pass through. Boats without 2-way radio had to sound their horn and wait for the brige to open.

 

The Indian River, actually a salt water lagoon, is very wide at this point. The South Island, AKA Hutchinsons Island" is barely visible on the distance. There is a beautiful sunrise most mornings, giving this area the name "Sunrise Coast." It is also called the "Gold Coast" because of treasure from ancient Spanish shipwrecks.

 

There were bait houses on both ends of this bridge. One on this side and two on the other. They sold bait and tackle, drinks and snacks. If you caught fish, you could take them to the bait house and sell them by the pound. No licenses were required in those days.

 

I remember the Ave Maria in this pictue. I always wondered if it was named for the song.

Done