HOMES OF THE TREASURE COAST
DOUBLE
THE
MEMORIES
BY JESSICA ARMSTRONG
PHOTOS BY ROB DOWNEY
Fort Pierce homeowner
recalls growing up
along South Indian
18
River Drive
For 70 years, Twin Oaks has overlooked the blue-green
water of the Indian River and its namesake, Indian
River Drive. Cabbage palms, mangroves, sea grapes
and magenta-colored bougainvillea thrive on the river’s
sandy edge. Pelicans, ospreys and ibis hunt for food. On a recent
Sunday afternoon, a bottlenose dolphin rolled through the river
feeding on mullet.
Taking it all in were Sally and David Richeson as they relaxed
on the vast 58-foot veranda of their stately two-story home.
The plantation-style house on South Indian River Drive in
Fort Pierce was built in 1947 for Judge John M. Sample, a prominent
municipal judge, whose wife, Maggi, named it Twin Oaks.
In front are two of the oak trees she planted in the 1940s. Today,
their twisted branches nearly span the length of the house.
A sense of community pervades this stretch of Indian River
Drive that goes back many generations. Sally grew up on the
drive not far from Twin Oaks. Nearby is the house where artist
A.E. Backus, famous for his Florida landscapes, also grew up a
generation before her.
Sally is the daughter of Joseph William Yates, who in 1935
opened Yates Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, which is still in
operation. Her childhood home on Indian River Drive, since
demolished, was originally owned by Daniel McCarty, the 31st
governor of Florida.
Early local architect William Hatcher — who designed many
Fort Pierce landmarks — designed both the McCarty house, as
it’s known, as well as Twin Oaks. >>