The bridge derives its name from Smith Point, a peninsula on the Long Island mainland extending into Bellport Bay.

It replaced boat access to Tangier Manor and Quimby's oceanfront development, intended to be a resort town to compete with Atlantic City.

The few subsequent wooden bridges built to varying degrees of stability over the years were all destroyed by winter ice floes.

[citation needed] In 1926, caravans of camels and horses passed over the bridge for the filming of The Son of the Sheik starring Rudolf Valentino and Vilma Banky.

[citation needed] In summer 1955, the Shirley-Mastic Chamber of Commerce broke ground and invited 12,000 people to initiate the building of the new Smith Point Bridge to Fire Island.