There were intercoastal waterway cruise ships built to the maximum beam that could safely pass through the extant drawbridges. It was always a thrill to get out of my car and watch _"the squeeze"_ when one of those (seemingly questionably-sized!) passenger-boats fit its way through the old drawbridge.
Thank you, I grew up in Palm Valley and didn't know much about the bridge, except it was a little sad to see the old one replaced. Of course the new is better. I wanted to share a memory with you. My Daddy, Robert J. (Jack) Mier grew up in Palm Valley and at 18 he waited nearly all night so he could cross the bridge first in his new (used) car. Unfortunately, the dignitaries went first, so he was disappointed . Years later I picked up my Palm Valley grandson Gavin (age 3), and as we approached the new bridge, he said, "Be very careful Grannie, this thing may not be finished yet! " I guess Gavin's Papa was a little more trusting. It was a fun reminder of Daddy's story.
Oh Linda, thank you so much for that story. I'm so happy that this video has brought out so many old memories and stories. It was not what I had expected and it's nice to know the law of unintended consequences gets it right once in a while. I'll see you on the bridge :)
Interesting how he pulled the history and shared it with all of us. He's not even from that area and moved there 7 years ago. We all have our stories and memories, I know the history is worth learning and hearing again and again but each person's individual memories of growing up there is priceless. Share yours.
Thank you Deanna. I hadn't thought specifically about my time here and it's relationship to researching the story. When I started looking for a home, and came across the Ponce De Leon statue along the coast, I mentally pictured the event as he arrived. It only took me 7 years to start doing something about it 😁. Being a direct relation to Drake, it's interesting to me that I ended up here, on the First Coast, without any plan to do so. In any case, I'll keep researching and creating. It's a shoestring operation with a nine year old iMac and three year iPhone... but it works 👍
Excellent, thank you. I remember the old drawbridge and Eddie's Palm Valley Crossing Restaurant under the bridge. We used to take the kids there for dinner. Was sad to see these landmarks disappear, but it was of necessity, and you can't stop progress. Really enjoyed this short video, would love to see more about St. Johns County!
Hi Rose. I'm thrilled that it's bringing forth such positive memories of the area. Thank you very much for commenting, and yes, I'm working on more history videos, interviews, and even background videos for people to play on their TV. It's keeping me busy!
Good Vid...My mom grew up on Roscoe and I have lots of memories of area when grandparents lived there. In fact my great great grandfather's farm was once Guana Preserve. guess I'm a native.
I think that qualifies you as a native! Thank you for the positive comment and for watching. I'm really happy this is bringing back memories for those who grew up here.
I have crossed over that old bridge many times in the late 60's to early 70's. It was very narrow, but well built.
So I’ve heard. It took them two days with heavy equipment to take that bridge down after the new one was built beside it.
There were intercoastal waterway cruise ships built to the maximum beam that could safely pass through the extant drawbridges. It was always a thrill to get out of my car and watch _"the squeeze"_ when one of those (seemingly questionably-sized!) passenger-boats fit its way through the old drawbridge.
Thank you, I grew up in Palm Valley and didn't know much about the bridge, except it was a little sad to see the old one replaced. Of course the new is better. I wanted to share a memory with you. My Daddy, Robert J. (Jack) Mier grew up in Palm Valley and at 18 he waited nearly all night so he could cross the bridge first in his new (used) car. Unfortunately, the dignitaries went first, so he was disappointed . Years later I picked up my Palm Valley grandson Gavin (age 3), and as we approached the new bridge, he said, "Be very careful Grannie, this thing may not be finished yet! " I guess Gavin's Papa was a little more trusting. It was a fun reminder of
Daddy's story.
Oh Linda, thank you so much for that story. I'm so happy that this video has brought out so many old memories and stories. It was not what I had expected and it's nice to know the law of unintended consequences gets it right once in a while. I'll see you on the bridge :)
Interesting how he pulled the history and shared it with all of us. He's not even from that area and moved there 7 years ago. We all have our stories and memories, I know the history is worth learning and hearing again and again but each person's individual memories of growing up there is priceless. Share yours.
Thank you Deanna. I hadn't thought specifically about my time here and it's relationship to researching the story. When I started looking for a home, and came across the Ponce De Leon statue along the coast, I mentally pictured the event as he arrived. It only took me 7 years to start doing something about it 😁. Being a direct relation to Drake, it's interesting to me that I ended up here, on the First Coast, without any plan to do so. In any case, I'll keep researching and creating. It's a shoestring operation with a nine year old iMac and three year iPhone... but it works 👍
Excellent, thank you. I remember the old drawbridge and Eddie's Palm Valley Crossing Restaurant under the bridge. We used to take the kids there for dinner. Was sad to see these landmarks disappear, but it was of necessity, and you can't stop progress. Really enjoyed this short video, would love to see more about St. Johns County!
Hi Rose. I'm thrilled that it's bringing forth such positive memories of the area. Thank you very much for commenting, and yes, I'm working on more history videos, interviews, and even background videos for people to play on their TV. It's keeping me busy!
Thanks so very much!
You're very, very welcome. Thank you Sandi for watching!
Very well done and interesting. Told me some things I didn't even know I wanted to know until you told me. Thanks
Hello Douglas and thank you very much for watching and commenting.
Enjoyed very much! Love history, thanks for making it!
Thank you Ruth! I’m so glad you liked it.
Good Vid...My mom grew up on Roscoe and I have lots of memories of area when grandparents lived there. In fact my great great grandfather's farm was once Guana Preserve. guess I'm a native.
I think that qualifies you as a native! Thank you for the positive comment and for watching. I'm really happy this is bringing back memories for those who grew up here.
i can see my house