The Wabasso Bridge has historically been an important crossing point over the Indian River for…read morelocal 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 fishing spot.

It's seem that today's bridges don't get the press that the bridges they replaced may have gotten…read more This can be attributed to the fact that bridges today in most cases are replacement bridges and not the original bridge built to span the river, bay, etc., so they are basically taken for granted, in today's world since we expect there to be one in every location for our convenience. As time passes fewer of us ever think about or remember how challenging or inconvenient it must have been to get to the other-side. I'm sure when this bridge was opened in 1970 it was thought of as quite the accomplishment by those that drove across the former rickety wooden structure that preceded this concrete monster and even more so by those that had to rely on a ferry, a boat or a canoe to cross this span of water. The former bridge built in 1927 must have had a far greater impact on those living in the area than any of us realize, for the first time they could travel at will and only had to deal with the bridge tender's obligation to open the old draw bridge to river traffic or a fire which temporarily closed the bridge in 1961. This old bridge remains operable today even though it no longer links the shores at it original location. The antique steel beams and girders were so nostalgic it was re-purposed by Disney prior to the opening of Disney World in 1971. The names of hundreds of boats that were scratched into the tired old bridge trusses by the pen knives of lonely bridge tenders over the many years the bridge stood sentinel over the river remains intact after being purchased by Disney, redesigned and reassembled over the canal on the route of the "Main Street Railroad" where millions of happy tourists from every corner of the world have ridden since the opening. It is unlikely many of them are aware of the history of the old bridge. The Imagineers may have been more interested in saving an old bridge than in saving money, it seems this old bridge will join Mickey Mouse in immortality...

​Visit the Sebastian River Art Club Gallery during our regular gallery and store hours -- Tuesdays,…read moreThursdays, and most Saturdays from 11 AM-3 PM. Check out our classes and shows!

Definitely sign up and do the turtle walk with them select days in the summer. We had a great time…read morelearning about turtles and walked the beach and watch a mom turtle lay eggs and go crawl back in the ocean! The volunteers and those that put everything on were kind and did a great job

Barrier Island Sanctuary is located inside the Archie Carr National Refuge which was established by…read moreCongress in 1989 to protect sea turtles that are threatened with extinction throughout the world. Archie Carr was a graduate professor of ecology and an award winning author of natural history books and articles. In 1959 Dr. Carr founded the nonprofit Caribbean Conservation Corporation to study and protect sea turtles and their habitats. In honor of his contributions to the study of sea turtles, this refuge was named in his honor. The refuge includes 20.5 miles of beach that is home to the most important sea turtle nesting habitat in the United States. More loggerheads nest within the Carr Refuge than anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. There has also been a significant increase in green turtle and leatherback nesting. The protection that this beach provides is essential to the survival and recovery of these three species. Barrier Island Sanctuary is 34 acres of the Archie Carr National Refuge. In April of 2005 it was renamed Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary in honor of Dr. LLewellyn "Doc" Ehrhart. Doc Ehrhart and his team were instrumental in collecting sea turtle nesting data for the designation of nesting beaches in the Archie Carr Refuge. One if the highlights for visitors to Barrier Island Sanctuary is the Barrier Island Center which is the primary visitor and education center for the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. The center has interactive exhibits, an auditorium, gift shop, classroom, and observation deck. Some of the programs held here include summer camps, turtle walks, and special events. Barrier Island Sanctuary also has a nature trail and beach access. This park is a stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a network of more than 500 premier wildlife viewing sites across the state. The coolest thing happened as I was leaving. A bobcat ran out from this park and crossed the street before disappearing into the undergrowth. A boardwalk connects Barrier Island Sanctuary to Bonsteel Park. Even if the gate to the parking at Barrier Island Sanctuary is closed you can still walk over from Bonsteel Park and see the outdoor exhibits as I did or possibly even catch sight of a sea turtle.

I was disgusted by how filthy the bathrooms were. There was a man literally peeing outside of the…read morebathroom behind the building. You can smell the stench from afar. I came here to see alligators, as recommended per my uncle. Sadly, no alligators to be seen. This is a catch and release fishing site due to the Bass Competition held here. The literal petrified stench that lingers through the air, attracts the many vultures through the area. No thank you. I will not be returning. Edit: on my way out, there was a turtle lost in the middle of the busy street. We saved him by placing him near the water, away from the poisonous snake.

Free park ready to explore. Wish we had time! Mostly open air with no shade so come prepared…read more There are a few picnic tables and portable johns. Better then no facilities! Come check out all the birds and maybe see an alligator. Or pay $50ea and go on an airboat tour and see lots of alligators. And birds all over !