Historic Englewood Florida
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1505748
Page 14 www.yoursun.com Englewood historian Diana Harris compiled a list in 2021 of iconic places associated with Englewood and the people they were named after. How many did you know? TOM ADAMS BRIDGE The new modern steel and con- crete bridge across Lemon Bay opened in 1964, and was built in conjunction with the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs roughly north and south through the middle of the bay. It replaced an earlier wooden bridge connecting the mainland to Manasota Key. Tom Adams, who was then Florida Secretary of State, was given credit for obtaining funding for the building of the much-needed bridge, so it was named after him. EMIL R. SWEPSTON MD BRIDGE In 1980, Englewood's "Killer Bridge" was replaced and named the Emil R. Swepston MD Bridge. It's the second bridge you cross as you head out to Manasota Key. The present bridge was named after a very popular local conservationist, Dr. Swepston. He had been one of the founders of the Lemon Bay Conservancy and the Venice Audubon Society and had campaigned hard to get the dangerous bridge replaced — it had become quite infamous. For years it was called the "Killer Bridge" because several fatal accidents occurred when cars drove o the bridge into the water. CLYDE LASSEN VFW POST In 1969, Lyndon B. Johnson presented to an Englewood resi- dent the nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor. Navy Lt. Clyde E. Lassen, 27 years old, was a UH-2A Seasprite helicopter pilot. Lt. Lassen was the first Navy helicopter pilot of the Vietnam War to be so decorated. Englewood's VFW Post 10178 on North McCall Road is named in honor of Clyde Lassen. Some places in Englewood and how they got their names SUN FILE PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH Tom Adams was Florida's Secretary of State and was instrumental in getting funding for the drawbridge across the Intra- coastal Waterway in Englewood, linking the mainland and Manasota Key. The bridge in Englewood is named for him. Left: Tom Adams, who served as Florida's Secretary of State, is pictured here when he was lieutenant governor. PHOTOS PROVIDED Right: Navy Lt. Clyde E. Lassen receives the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson for his rescue of two downed Navy pilots in Vietnam. NAMES | 15A