For thousands of years this area was home to the Native Ais people. The Spanish wiped them out with disease and slavery in the 1700's. You can see a replica of their camp at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center and there is mention of them in the many parks in the area. Stuart is located on Florida's Treasure Coast, named for the several Spanish Galleons that wrecked off the coast in the 18th century. A pirate named Pedro Gilbert used a sand bar off the coast to lure ships to their doom. Today there is a coffee shop named for his treachery, Gilberts Bar. In 1860 pioneers settled the area and a United States Life Saving Station called Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge was built in 1875. It is the only House of Refuge left and you can still visit it today.
The city of Stuart is named for Homer Hine Stuart Jr.. Born in New York in 1855, he settled near the north side St. Lucie River in 1883 and began to grow pineapples. At the time the city was known as Potsdam, a name chosen by local landowner Otto Stypmann from Germany. Settlers started coming in to the area in the 1870's and all supplies were floated down the St. Lucie River on trade boats. When the East Coast Railway came into town it was offensively called out as Dam Pots. To diffuse the situation the name of the town was changed to Stuart in 1895. Stuart was incorporated as a town in 1914. At that time it was part of Palm Beach County. In 1925 it became the seat of Martin County.
The city of Stuart is called the Sailfish capital of the world. It was a favorite fishing spot of 5 U. S. Presidents, Grover Cleveland, Chester A. Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Howard Taft, and Warren G. Harding. You can learn much more about the history of Stuart at the Elliot Museum and the Stuart Heritage Museum.
Today tourists flock to the historic downtown where there are quaint shops and cafes. Every Sunday morning there is a farmers market along the waterfront. The Lyric Theater built in 1926, is a historic building in the downtown that is still in operation today.
I love visiting Stuart. It is one of the oldest towns in Florida near me. Visiting the friendly people in Stuart is so relaxing. I love walking around the historic downtown where there are interesting things to buy and great things to eat. In the area there is an abundance of nature preserves and parks to hike and kayak in. The beaches of Hutchinson Island are gorgeous and not crowded. I have visited Stuart several times and still have not seen everything. Outdoor sports, dining, shopping, and history, Stuart has it all in one inviting package. read more