Bottles Under the Bittersweet Road Bridge: a tradition for boaters on the St. Joe River

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Those passing along the St. Joe River below the Bittersweet Road Bridge may have noticed what looks like a gigantic bar, with liquor bottles nestled under.

ABC57’s Jackie Bauer caught a ride on an Aquatic Weed Control Air Boat Wednesday to check out the mysterious “bottle graveyard”, with hopes to find out what is behind the longstanding tradition.

Some, see it as a quirky tradition and a celebration of fun on the water. Others view it as nothing more than glorified littering. No one knows exactly when or why it started, but longtime residents confirm it’s been going on for at least 30 years.

Each fall, the bottles are reportedly cleaned up, only to return when boaters hit the river again for the summer.