Swampy's Florida

This bridge was was partially wooden and shaky and scary for many.
Ben Davis was a builder and wanted to get a bridge to connect Tampa to Clearwater. His work and influence was extensive in the area – Davis Island is an example. The Tampa Mayor and a few others, including a member of the famous Lykes family raised the money and the dredging and filling and a roadway was built through and across the waters of Tampa Bay.
The bridge opened in 1934 with a 25 cents toll.

A year later a September hurricane ripped through the Keys and toppled Flager’s Folly train and tracks. Then came through the area, shown above, and undid the causeway. Courtney Campbell was a member of the road department and routed the WPA funds, among others, and get the causeway rebuilt and had his name connected to the bridge.  

Ben Davis Causeway was the initial name. That name vanished when the bridge reopened in favor of the Campbell moniker. The Ben T. Davis name was transferred to the beach park that is used by so very many just off the Rocky Point entrance today. 

This postcard is part of the Swampy’s Florida collection.
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