Alva Florida
Alva is a small community that is known for its wine and its great location. It is about 11 miles off I-75 between Fort Myers and LaBelle. As an older settlement along the Caloosahatchee River, it is a favorite of those wanting to get away from the larger coastal developments. Visitors to Alva will find is a public boat ramp, the Alva Museum and Garden Club and a charming Downtown area.
The Alva Bridge is a small two-lane drawbridge located in Alva, Florida. The bridge is 21 feet tall and it is one of four drawbridges in Lee County, carrying Broadway Street over the Caloosahatchee River.
The first bridge at this site was a small swing bridge constructed in 1903, and it was the closest bridge to Fort Myers up until 1924. In 1925, the original bridge was replaced with a new swing bridge. The old swing bridge was then dismantled and taken to Matlacha, Florida, where it operated as the Matlacha Bridge for a year before being destroyed by a hurricane. The new swing bridge operated until 1966, when it was destroyed by a barge transporting rocket parts to the Kennedy Space Center. The second swing bridge then had to be replaced by the current drawbridge, which opened in 1969, after three years of construction.
You can find information about Alva Florida attractions at www.southwestfloridatravelguide.com. The site is also an excellent source of info about Alva Florida dining.
