LIVING HISTORY
Shown here in its original location, the one-story 1950 lodge has a cedar
interior with built-in bookshelves. The society hopes that it will be converted
into a museum, manned by volunteers, so that residents and visitors
Spruce Bluff to the murderous
owner of a local fish camp. A Qand
A section tackles the origin
of the name Lucie, the wild
peacocks on Veterans Memorial
Parkway and why there is no
downtown, with a blog providing
further details. Historical
photographs are posted; related
items are offered for sale. Society
Chair Patricia Christensen
says, “People moving to the area
or thinking about moving here
frequently contact us, asking
about the area’s history.”
The website also contains
background on the two buildings
relocated to Westmoreland.
The two-story structure
PORT ST. LUCIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTOS
was built in 1917 in Fort Pierce
and later moved to the Peacock Ranch in what is now PGA
Verano. The one-story building is the Peacock family’s 1950
hunting lodge. In 2018, both buildings took a two-day trip to
their new home just south of the Botanical Gardens. Kelly’s
hope is for the envisioned village to become a reality by the
time Port St. Lucie celebrates 60 years in 2021, but according
to Wes McCurry, Community Redevelopment Agency director,
the project has closer to a five-year timeline.
Project plans, representing millions of dollars, also include
waterfront dining on the North Fork, pavilions, a playground,
and the southern extension of the boardwalk. The
houses constitute a large part of the finances. Aided by a
$350,000 grant from the state’s Division of Historic Resources,
their relocation and stabilization cost $800,000 with another
$700,000 for necessary site improvements.
Although the city is still fine-tuning cost projections, grants
could cover $1.5 million of the total cost for the historical >>
20 Port St. Lucie Magazine
Early settlers in the area planted
pineapples and citrus, but a
severe freeze in the winter of
1894-95 was discouraging and
most moved away. This monument
in Spruce Bluff Preserve
bears the names or descriptions
of seven who are buried there.
can learn more about the area.
/www.floridanativegrill.com
/www.ptstlucieharborplace.com