NOVEMBER 25, 2020
www.amisun.com
THE SUN
Bridgetender tale
27
SUBMITTED
Annie Laurie (Bennett) Joyner manned the gate that was installed in 1952 at the west end of the Cortez Bridge to Anna Maria Island, and was photographed by The Bradenton Herald getting her hair cut by Mrs. Lou Hayes while “still alert for approaching boats.” The story was recently shared by her nephew, Martin Bennett, on the Facebook page, “If you grew up in Manatee County, FL you remember...” While her father, John Bennett, was the bridgetender, Joyner lowered the gate to keep vehicles off the bridge when it was raised for boats. “Before that the bridgetender blocked traffic with chains and lanterns,” according to Martin Bennett. The Cortez Bridge, connecting the historic Cortez fishing village to Bradenton Beach, is scheduled for replacement, with funds for right-of-way acquisitions proposed for fiscal years 2021, 2024 and 2025.
