In 1957 a family traveling to Florida in their brand new Chevy Impala had limited route options. One of the more popular was Route 17. US-17, also known as the Coastal Highway, winds its way through the eastern United States, stretching from Virginia to Florida. In the mid-20th century, before the advent of the Interstate Highway System, US-17 was a major thoroughfare connecting travelers to the diverse landscapes and attractions of Florida. Traveling to Florida by automobile has always been an adventure, and for those who embarked on the journey before the construction of Interstate 95, the experience was marked by the scenic beauty and charm (and challenges) of US-17.
Unlike the fast-paced nature of interstate travel, US-17
provided a more leisurely journey, allowing motorists to explore the charming
towns and communities that dotted the route. Each town had its unique
character, offering glimpses into the local culture and history. While the journey on US-17 was undoubtedly
scenic and culturally enriching, it was not without its difficulties. The
highway's two-lane configuration and occasional narrow stretches could make for
slow progress, especially during peak travel times. Patience and a sense of
adventure were essential for those embarking on this pre-interstate road trip.
After driving through South Carolina
and Georgia,
the family is getting tired and cranky.
“I’m going to stop at the first motel we hit in Florida,” Dad declares. Ahead, he sees the bright blue bridge that
crosses the St. Marys River connecting Georgia
and Florida. The Blue
Bridge, officially known as the St. Marys River Bridge, has a rich history that dates
back to its construction in 1927. It was initially built as a wooden swing
bridge, allowing boats to pass through along the thriving Intracoastal
Waterway.
Before the Blue
Bridge was constructed,
travelers had to cross the river at Wild’s Landing in Kingsland. There, they would board a ferry that was slow
and unreliable at best. To alleviate
this problem Florida and Georgia agreed
to share the cost of building a bridge.
For many years thereafter, the states promoted US-17 and the Blue Bridge
as the first “Ferry-less route to Florida” and
“The vacation trail to the Sunshine
State.”
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The bridge opened on April 7, 1927 to much fanfare. There was a great celebration with thousands
in attendance. Local officials
spoke. A massive barbeque feast was
enjoyed by everyone in attendance. Flags
and banners decorated the streets. The
Camden County Record newspaper called it “the dream of good road enthusiasts”
and declared “a barrier of nature that has been lifted.”
The Blue Bridge
is a hand-operated swing bridge. Six to eight workers insert a manual
turnkey, a large 15-foot-long wrench-like tool, into the swing mechanism
mounted on a concrete pillar in the middle of the river channel. The metal span
in the central portion of the bridge swings open 90 degrees allowing
larger boats to pass. While it took
approximately 30 minutes to open the bridge manually, the chance of delay still
beat the ferry crossing.
After crossing the
bridge, the family sees the Welcome to Florida
sign on the right, and shortly thereafter on the left, spots the Riverside
Motel. The one story motel advertised
air-conditioned rooms, which were welcome after spending hours in a hot
car. Also much appreciated was the
on-site liquor store, St. Marys Liquors.
It’s the perfect place to stay overnight before heading south towards Jacksonville and St.
Augustine in the morning.
The Riverside Motel has
since become the scene of local legend and mystery. The owners, Knud and Nellie Olfort married in
1943 and the motel opened in 1954. Knud was divorced from his first wife,
Genevieve, who spent her remaining days in a Florida State
mental hospital. The reason for her
confinement is unclear.
The motel prospered, and
the Olforts added a souvenir shop and a liquor store. At the time, many counties in Georgia
prohibited the sale of liquor on Sundays, so locals would cross the state line
in order to purchase spirits. The
Olforts rented rooms in the motel for up to $14 per night.
Then, sometime in 1993,
Nellie Olfort went missing. Knud Olfort
closed the motel, declaring that he could not run the business and take care of
the large property without her. The
missing person investigation was hampered by Knud’s refusal to allow anyone,
including the authorities, onto the property.
Offers were made to purchase the property, but were rejected out of
hand. A movie studio offered to renovate
the old motel for free in exchange for shooting a film there. That overture was rejected as well.
His refusal to allow
anyone at all onto the property led many to speculate the Knud was involved in
his wife’s disappearance, but nothing could be proven. Knud Olfort died in 1997 along with any
knowledge that he may harbored about how Nellie vanished. The motel property was later purchased and
the structures demolished.
In 1999 the Navy was conducting diving exercises in the St. Marys River.
Less then one half mile from the motel, they discovered a submerged
car. When they pulled it out of the
river, they found Nellie’s badly decomposed body inside. Witnesses described it as a gruesome sight. The body was so badly deteriorated that
determining the cause of death was impossible.
As there was no usable evidence and since the prime suspect was dead,
the case was closed. The hotel, its
owners, and their secrets were all lost to history.
In the aftermath of World War II, the United States
experienced unprecedented economic growth and population expansion. However,
the existing road infrastructure struggled to keep pace with the burgeoning
demand for efficient transportation. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive
and interconnected highway system, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who witnessed
the effectiveness of Germany's
Autobahn during the war, championed the cause of a national network of
high-speed roads.
For More Northeast Florida History Read
South of the St. Marys River
Stories from the History of Northeast Florida
On June 29, 1956, Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway
Act into law. The legislation allocated $25 billion (equivalent to over $230
billion in today's dollars) for the construction of an extensive interstate
highway system. The ambitious project aimed not only to facilitate interstate
commerce but also to enhance national defense by providing efficient routes for
the swift movement of military personnel and equipment.
The first segment of Interstate 95, from the Florida/Georgia
border to Jacksonville
was completed in 1960. Georgia had not
yet finished their portion of the road, so I-95 connected to US-17 at the state
line. The entirety of the road, from
Yulee to Miami,
would not be finally completed until 2018, some six decades later.
While the construction of I-95 brought about positive
changes, it was not without challenges and controversies. The acquisition of
land for the interstate often led to displacement and protests from affected
communities. Environmental concerns, particularly in Florida's sensitive ecosystems, prompted
careful planning and mitigation efforts to preserve the region's natural
beauty. Small towns, as well as their
motels and stores, once regular stops for tourists were bypassed.
Traveling to Florida
via US-17 before the construction of Interstate 95 was a unique and
unforgettable experience. The journey was not just about reaching the
destination but embracing the landscapes, communities, and history that defined
Old Florida. As we reflect on the bygone era of highway travel, the memories of
traversing US-17 serve as a reminder of more leisurely road trips that once
characterized the American travel experience.
Today, a bright blue bridge and the memory of an infamous motel along
US-17 still welcome visitors to Florida
and are a testament to simpler times.
Further suggested reading (ad):
Finding Florida: The True History of the Sunshine State
A New Guide to Old Florida Attractions: From Mermaids to Singing Towers
Nostalgic Florida: Iconic Vintage Art of the Sunshine State
America's First Highways (America's Historic Highways)
Myths and Mysteries of Florida: True Stories Of The Unsolved And Unexplained
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