Stuart FL City By St. Lucie was chosen for this adorable 1964 travelogue from the Chamber of Commerce, among other endearing nicknames. Much of Stuart was still a small town when I moved here from Palm Beach County in 1978. The Palm City Bridge was still a wooden swivel bridge, and Martin Downs was only a dream. Cow pastures everywhere, and horse trails throughout the town.
This 1964 clip is worth the time is taken to dance down memory lane for those fortunate to live here for decades. Many of these clips show much has changed, and many things have stayed the same. Our Loggerhead turtles still nest right here on our beautiful, pristine beaches. The fishing is still excellent, and the House of Refuge awaits visitors to share their past. The Martin County Fair still draws large crowds and livestock competitions.
Boating is still a favorite pastime for many residents, and we still have spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Witham Field Airport is still small even though we have a significant air show here every November. In this adorable Chamber of Commerce travelogue video from 1964, the 1st National Bank had over $1,000,000 in capital. They were proud of that fact. Today that would barely be considered a bank.
The former Outrigger Restaurant, now the Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House, was owned by Francis Langford, an actress during the 1940s, and her husband Ralph Evinrude, the original owner of Evinrude boat motors. They docked their yacht, the Chanticleer, next to the waterfront restaurant. They were both local celebrities for many years. Their huge estate was sold after they passed away, and the area is now known as Langford's Landing, a waterfront development in Jensen Beach, FL. They always had peacocks on the property, and Francis loved them. Now, peacocks can be seen throughout the quiet areas of Jensen Beach.
Rookeries provided the most amazing aquatic life, and Stuart got its moniker, the Sailfish Capital of the World. To this day, residents and visitors enjoy deep sea fishing, water sports, great restaurants, theaters, pristine beaches, and much more. Stuart, FL, City By The St. Lucie is still a spectacular place to live.
For more information about Stuart, FL, City by St. Lucie, and living in Stuart, FL, contact Treasure Coast Insider Blogger Mona Leonard at 772-530-6131 or mona@monaleonard.com