Before the Treasure Island and Corey Causeway Bridges were completed in the late 1930s, another bridge to carried visitors to the Gulf Beaches.  This was an era in which many bridges were built by individuals or business interests.  The McAdoo Bridge, built by W.D. McAdoo, was a low-rise bridge that traversed Boca Ciega Bay from the end of Villagrande Avenue South in South Pasadena to St Pete Beach.  It was the first bridge to provide automobile access to Pass-a-Grille.  The toll was 25 cents.  Pass-a-Grille, the only real town on the beaches with hotel facilities during this era, was reachable only by ferry until this bridge was completed.

The ruins of the McAdoo Bridge run along the edge of the Yacht Club Estates south canals, 9th and 10th Avenues South, and the last block of 79th Street South.  The bridge ruins are indicated on NOAA Nautical Chart 11411 as submerged pilings (ruined bridge).

Unsuspecting boaters at a very low tide may have an unfortunate encounter with this piece is our area's history.

Section of old map showing location of the McDoo Bridge

View of the McAdoo Bridge from from R. Wayne Ayers' book "Tampa Bay's Gulf Beaches"

Historic postcard of McAdoo Bridge 1919 courtesy of St Petersburg Museum of History

View of end of Villagrande Ave South today.  This is where the entrance to the McAdoo Bridge was located.