Sunday on the Bay: The Singing River is Slowly Losing its Voice

Children playing near Rye Bridge Photo Manatee County Historical Archives

PARRISH -- A 300 year-old Native American legend described a phenomenal sound on Rocky Bluff that some say was the result of a chemical reaction. The reverberation emanated from the depths of the river and bounced off the limestone ledges completely surrounding the site in eerie melody. Today that is the location of the I-75 Bridge and the only sound is the buzz of car engines.

Rye Bridge was once a hang-out for families on the weekends. Children would swing into the river’s cool sulfury depths and families would picnic on the white, sandy shore. Their laughter echoed off the stone shelves and formed a tune of innocence and glee. Today the new bridge looks like a cement overpass and walls don’t allow for people to pull off on the side for a mid-day swim – the old dirt parking place is off-limits.

Fort Hamer Photo Manatee County Historical Archives

Once a famous musician drowned at Fort Hamer. Some say that you can still hear the sad song of her piano late at night. Will the new bridge kill her composition too?

The Manatee was coined the Singing River by author Joe Warner because of several local legends. However, the mystery of its music is slowing falling victim to careless construction and just plain bad choices. History has a way of repeating itself – residents would be wise to recognize beauty before trading it in for non-ecofriendly infrastructure.

On the agenda this week is a public hearing for the construction of Fort Hamer Bridge. For over 160 years, residents have utilized this site for recreation and confrontation.

The Fort was built as a defense for Seminole Wars and served as the sad location of Seminole surrender. The families that submitted peacefully were paid $500 per man and $100 for women and children. They were also paid for any cattle they possessed and sent on a solemn sail to New Orleans, where they would join others on the Trail of Tears.

The Waterlefe golf course has already destroyed one of the most significant parts of the historic landmark. Every time a player sinks the teeth of their golf shoes into the damp earth, they are treading on a significant staple of history. The only preservation part the development contributed was to put up a marker at the first hole – how thoughtful.

Artifacts found at Fort Hamer from the Seminole Wars Photo: Manatee County Historical Archives

When a new bridge is constructed, any old Seminole War era remains will probably be lost to the murky depths of the Manatee once the concrete bridge abutments go in. They will have to weigh tons in order to support  cars, buses and trucks. More importantly, that sad piano music will become astray to the drone of a hundred diesel engines.

If you ask the people of Manatee County why is it that they choose to live, or people choose to vacation in Florida, they would respond with answers like the water, sunshine, beaches or beauty. So why is it that all infrastructures are focused on cars? If residents focused more on a need to preserve our waterfront, everything appealing about Florida could endure. More roads are not the answer – more public transportation is.