Phyllis and Al Abbatiello, Joseph McAnarney, Nancy Cornwell Grogan and St. Johns County District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst
St. Johns County issued a proclamation to recognize the 20th Anniversary of the William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway at its meeting on June 17, 2025.
This beautiful 17-mile corridor (SR 13) runs south from Julington Creek Bridge to Wards Creek through a canopy of moss-draped oaks, swamp, and pine barrens as it winds along the St. Johns River. The Corridor Group collaborated with St. Johns County and the Florida Department of Transportation to achieve Florida Scenic Highway designation in 2005 and continues to preserve and promote the scenic highway to this day.
St. Johns County District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst makes the proclamation
Current William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway Chair Joseph McAnarney
Nancy Cornwell Grogan representing her mother, Mary Cornwell, a founding member of the byway
Al Abbatiello, recently retired chair and founding member of the William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway
Al and Phyllis Abbatiello retired from their leadership positions in the Corridor Group at the close of 2024, after more than 20 years of service. It was an honor for them to attend this acknowledgment of the byway’s worth and accomplishments.
Read about Al and Phyllis Abbatiello’s part in the development and success of this byway in the 2023 Byway Buzz post recognizing their commitment to the Florida Scenic Highways Program. They were jointly presented with the Garry Balogh Inspiring Excellence Award for their years of innovation and dedication on behalf of the byway.
The scenic highway is fortunate to have devoted members including Joe McAnarney, the current byway chair, that have stepped forward to form the new leadership team.
Learn more about the William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway on its FSHP Byway Page or visit the William Bartram Scenic & Historic Highway Facebook to stay up-to-date on byway news and events!
