BEACHES
IRC HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION, ARCHIVE CENTER, IRC MAIN LIBRARY
The first wooden bridge to cross the Indian River to the barrier islands was dedicated on Labor Day, Sept.
6, 1920. The bridge increased opportunities for tourism, commerce and full-time residency on the islands.
VeroBeach100.org City of Vero Beach 1919-2019 83
CASSENS COLLECTION, ARCHIVE CENTER, IRC MAIN LIBRARY
Jungle Trail was created in the 1920s so that citrus
growers could haul their produce up and down the
barrier island.
Johns Island, South Carolina, moved to the
barrier island in the early 1870s at what
was known as The Narrows. He selected
the island because, as its name implied, it
was the shortest row across the river to the
mainland, and eventually to the railroad.
He filed homestead papers for 138.5 acres
and originally planned on growing citrus,
but in 1890 a detailed survey was made
and he sold platted parcels for $25 an acre.
FARMING LIFE
By the turn of the century, there was
a well-established settlement on John’s
Island with some 200 residents, numerous
homes, a cemetery and two churches.
The main occupation was bean farming.
Each family had their own garden and
school was in session between farming
seasons. When Henry Flagler brought his
railroad to the region in 1893, farmers on
the island began moving to the mainland
to get easier access to rail cars for the shipment
of their crops. The Great Depression
thwarted luxury real estate development.
For those few who remained on the
island, and those who paddled across
from the mainland to enjoy the beach,
life became exponentially easier with the
opening of Vero’s first toll bridge that connected
the island to the mainland at Royal
Palm Point. The wooden swing bridge was
braced by cabbage palm trunk pilings,
which was not unusual for this time. More
than 300 cars lined up to cross the bridge
during its dedication on Labor Day 1920.
The beachside landscape was destined
for change after the island became >>
CHRISTINA TASCON
John’s Island on Vero Beach has grown into one of the east coast’s most exclusive communities.
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