Скачать или смотреть Topsail Islands Swing Bridge Opening | A Nostalgic Farewell

An Aerial Time Capsule of a Lost Landmark

I am posting this 2-minute aerial video, the Topsail Island swing bridge comes alive once more – its span slowly pivoting open to let a boat pass through the Intracoastal Waterway while cars line up and locals pause to watch. This footage is more than just a scenic moment; it’s a time capsule of nostalgia. The Surf City swing bridge, which stood for over 60 years since its construction in 1955, is no longer standing today . Its absence has left an ache in the hearts of those who cherished it. Seeing the bridge in action again – the stop arms lowering, the gears grinding, and the bridge swinging aside for a vessel – evokes memories of a simpler time on Topsail Island. For many, this video is a poignant reminder of a coastal landmark that was as much a part of the island’s identity as its beaches and sunrises.

The Surf City swing bridge was more than just an engineering structure; it was woven into the fabric of local life. Generations grew up with the ritual of crossing this bridge, and it became “a gateway to home, vacation days and countless individual memories for four generations” . The sight of the teal-blue bridge on the horizon signified that ocean adventures were just moments away. As one lifelong resident fondly recalled from childhood, “we kept our eyes wide open to see ‘The Bridge’… and there she was, standing like a soldier guarding a magical kingdom known as Topsail” . Whether you were a local commuter or an excited kid on a summer vacation, you knew you were at the beach when you saw the bridge .

Please comment below, share your memories with others,.

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