Wabasso Causeway Bridge — Attraction in Florida

The Wabasso Bridge has historically been an important crossing point over the Indian River for local residents and visitors to this part of the Treasure Coast. The original bridge in Wabasso sat on what was known as Two Dollar Bluff, a navigational aid for ships on the Indian River since 1887. It was located on property of pioneer and citrus grower A.B. Michael who made Indian River citrus world famous. The bluff was an Ais Indian midden, a kind of ancient garbage dump for the original inhabitants of this area. In 1927 the midden yielded shells, pottery shards, and bones that were used for road material. At different times this area was part of Brevard, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties.

The bluff became the Michael family dock. Eventually it was replaced in 1927 with a narrow, wooden bridge with a metal swing span that crossed to the community of Orchid. This bridge allowed travel between the Orchid Island groves and the railroad for transport of citrus. It also opened up the northern part of Indian River County to tourism and land development. During World War II the bridge tender would only allow island residents to cross to prevent German spies from infiltrating the island and signaling to U Boats offshore.

On October 5, 1964, a 400-foot section of the old wooden Wabasso Bridge caught on fire. Before it was scrapped the old swing bridge was purchased by Walt Disney World and refurbished for use in the Main Street Railroad.

In 1970, a modern, high-arch bridge causeway was constructed over the main channel. For years it was the known as the A.B. Mitchell Wabasso Bridge. In 2020, it was renamed the A.B. Michael Bridge to correct a typo made over 50 years ago. Today the bridge properly honors A.B. Michael who brought Indian River Citrus to the world. The Wabasso Bridge takes travelers to the beaches of the Treasure Coast which got its names from Spanish Treasure Fleet that sunk off the coast in a hurricane in 1715. During storms it still yields its treasure to the shore. On the island side of the bridge is Sebastian Inlet State Park and the McLarty Treasure Museum. You can get a great view of the underside of the bridge from Wabasso Causeway Park which is a popular...

Two Dollar Bluff, prominently featured on the U.S. Geodetic Map of 1887, was considered a navigational aid for ships on the Indian River. Located on property owned by settler and citrus grower A.B. Michael, this bluff was an Ais Indian midden and became the site for the Michael Family dock. By 1927, archeological materials in the midden, including shell, pottery shards, and bones, were almost gone, taken for use as road material. The dock was replaced with a narrow, wooden bridge with a metal swing span that crossed to the community of Orchid. This bridge allowed the Indian River citrus to travel from the Orchid Island groves to the railroad, and it opened up the northern part of Indian River County to tourism and land development. During World War II, the bridge was limited to those who lived on the island, and the bridge tender was tasked with checking the credentials of those who crossed. In 1970, the old bridge was replaced with a causeway, a high-arch bridge over the main channel, and named the Wabasso Bridge. In 2020, it was renamed the A.B. Michael Bridge. This bridge leads directly to the beaches of the Treasure Coast where remnants of the 1715 Spanish Silver Fleet are...

Wabasso Causeway is always a great place to go for a picnic, fish, go wading or castnetting, kayak, paddle board, or use the boat ramp. There are public restrooms next to the ramp on the most southeastern section of the park, I believe. You can often see dolphin swim by. I personally have seen a spotted ray and caught a baby bonnethead shark. If it is a windy day, check the direction first. The land blocks the wind and makes for calmer conditions. If it looks choppy on one side, look to the opposite. 9 xs outta 10, you can park on the other side and be perfectly fine. PLEASE November - April, abide by the speed signs. There is to be "NO WAKE" during this time within so many feet from shore. We do love...