Titusville Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier

2 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville

Historic Interest

The Titusville Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier is known locally as the "World's Longest Free Fishing Pier". The pier dates back to the original bridge that spanned the Indian River in the early 1900's. The early structure was known as the "Walker Bridge", named in honor of Mr. John R. Walker, a former Postmaster who helped make construction of the bridge possible.

The campaign to build the original pier was initiated by Mayor John R. Walker March 28, 1919. On October 14 that same year, local property owners voted 204 to 14 in favor of a $175,000 bond issue to finance the construction of the bridge to make possible easy access to Playalinda and Desoto Beaches. In December 15,1922, the two lane and hand cranked wooden draw bridge across the Indian River was opened as a toll bridge to traffic from Titiusville to Merritt Island. Prior to World War II the State of Florida began pumping fill that would eventually support the Causeway (now State Road 402). With the war commencing construction was halted, leaving the bridge from Titusville to Merritt Island composed of the central portion of the old Walker Bridge with connecting links tied into the Causeway adjacent to the south. In August 1942, during war time, an Army truck carrying border guards swerved through the wooden guard railing and into the Indian River resulting in the tragic drowning of six men pinned under the truck. The death of the soldiers prompted the Federal Government to coordinate with the State in construction of a new bridge.

At the conclusion of WWII, work on the bridge continued, with completion of new steel and concrete bridge in 1949. Through efforts of the City, the State and Corps of Engineers were persuaded to leave a portion of the old Walker Bridge for recreational purposes, and the City negotiated and gained title to the portion that extended north from the Causeway to the bait house location, and from there angling eastward several hundred feet.

After receiving jurisdiction of the pier, the City advertised for bidders to lease the pier. An agreement with Mr. H.S. Thompson was signed on August 9, 1949. The 15-year lease agreement with Mr. Thompson included the remaining "Old Walker Bridge" and a portion of the land adjacent to the Causeway at Sand Point Park. Some of Mr. Thompson's lease obligations included no charge for fishing privileges, construction of restroom facilities and lighting, provision of bait, supplies and boats (excluding sale of alcohol), and daily operation. The City's responsibility was to furnish materials necessary to keep the bridge in "first class condition".

The lease was renegotiated by both by Mr. Thompson and the City in 1954, resulting in a new 15-year lease. The new tenant obligations included using the $50 rental fee for expenditures to maintain the pier structure, construction of a bait house and a concrete building, a boat slip, to fill some areas at Sand Point, and to maintain insurance. Operational requirements included 24-hour a day provision of public fishing privileges, fishing equipment and boats, and excluded sale of alcohol. The City agreed to a renewal option with provision for increasing the rental fee at the conclusion of the 15-year agreement.

Shortly after the new lease was made a hurricane destroyed a significant portion of the eastern end of the pier and weakened the section that remained. The structure that remained was modified and added to in accordance with the lease, using materials from the old Matanza's Inlet Bridge.

Fifteen years later the lease was extended one year to February 9, 1971. This agreement was the same as the previous with the exception of removing the requirement that tenants provide boats and 24-hour a day service.

In 1975 reconstruction of the pier was authorized by the City Council, with completion and dedication as the "Veterans Memorial Pier" in 1977. Replacing the old wooden pier, the new structure consisted of a concrete superstructure and wood decking, with new facilities including a concession building, parking lot, and fishing pier approximately 15 feet wide and 650 feet long. Services to the public at the concession were made through agreements with vendors.

The 1977 dedication ceremony include unveiling of brass commemorative plaque on a concrete base. The Gold Star Mothers, an organization of mothers whose sons or daughters served—and died—that our country might be a better place in which to live, unveiled and dedicated the memorial plaque in honor to all the American Veterans who served our country. The bronze memorial plaque was inscribed: In Honor of Those Who Served Their Country In The Armed Forces of the United States of America. In 1978, only one year after its dedication, five service medallions on the plaque representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, were stolen and never recovered. The plaque itself later disappeared (whether by theft or natural elements is not known) and has not yet been replaced.

In 1995, the City Council recognized the pier as a valuable free recreational asset when Mayor Thomas R. Mariani authorized the proclamation of February 27, 1995 as "Veterans Memorial Pier Day".

In November 2000, voters approved the North Brevard Parks Referendum Projects that included renovation of the pier, a concession building, restrooms, parking and site Improvements. The ground breaking ceremony for the concession building was held Monday, May 10, 2004. With public attention focussed once again on the pier, a request for clarification of the pier's official name was made that prompted the City Council to approve the name "Titusville Veterans Memorial Fishing Pier" at a regular meeting on July 13, 2004.

Since 2004 the concession, restrooms, parking and site improvements have been completed; however, the pier is not accessible as renovation to the pier itself has been delayed due to the considerable damage caused by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005.

Currently -- Tthe pier restoration project awaits State engineering analysis for height recommendation, and finalizing of FEMA hurricane reimbursement.

 

For location information and details —

• Park Information

 

 

 

 

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