LIVING HISTORY
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said his daughter, Helen MacWilliam
Glenn, 82.
He moved to Vero in 1919.
Because there was no bridge, he
had to transport workers, mules
and building materials across the
river by barge, she said. He built
Riomar’s first five cottages and
the golf course. The nine MacWilliam
children, all born at home,
grew up in a nearby farmhouse.
One brother, Pete MacWilliam,
still lives in the home at the south
end of Cardinal Drive.
“We had chickens and cows
and pigs and horses,“ Glenn
said. “We had those Tarzan-style
swings on the big oak trees, and
of course the ocean was within
walking distance. We had a wonderful
childhood.”
Alex MacWilliam later served
as Vero’s mayor and as a state
representative. “He was always
insistent that we have good zoning,”
Glenn said.
A SPECIAL PLACE
Community leader and Vero
Beach native Alma Lee Loy, 80,
PARIS PRODUCTIONS
Longtime Vero resident Alma Lee Loy addresses the audience during Vero’s 90th birthday celebration in October.
She says the city is special because of its early settlers. “They were always willing to help each other. If
the Methodists were building a church, the Baptists went over to help, and vice versa.” >>