The City News - City of Fort Pierce

The City News
Today, as Fort Pierce turns 110 years old, it is one of the oldest communities
on the east coast of Florida and its early beginnings date back to Lt.
Colonel Benjamin F. Pierce in 1837 and the Second Seminole Indian War.
Lt. Colonel Pierce was in charge of the 1st Regiment of Artillery and in
1838 over saw the building of the ‘fort’ along the Indian River Lagoon,
hence the name Fort Pierce. Permanent settlement in this area began
around 1870 with Captain and Annie Hogg building their trading post
along Moore’s Creek, which still stands today. The Cobb Trading Post provided
all the necessities of early life in Florida for travelers along the river
and for the Cracker cowboys driving cattle.
Many early settlers came to the area during the late 1800’s, as Flagler’s
railroad brought people to this tropical paradise. Rail transportation afforded
the area growth with an agricultural economy of citrus, vegetables
and fish. In 1901, with a growing local economy and population, fiftythree
men of sixty-six qualified electors decided to incorporate Fort Pierce
which grew from 300 pioneers to approximately 44,000 residents today
and encompasses over 28 square miles.
With both Mediterranean and Florida "Cracker-style" architecture, Fort
Pierce has a varied and colorful history, including military activity during
the Seminole War and World War II. Downtown has numerous historic
buildings that have been renovated, such as the P.P. Cobb building which
was constructed in 1882, Historic City Hall and the Seven Gables House.
Through careful planning, Fort Pierce preserved much of its natural beauty
and its historic architecture over the years. In 1995, Fort Pierce residents
and property owners played an important role in shaping the future of the
city by preparing detailed redevelopment plans for its historic core. Many
projects were proposed, including streetscaping of all major arteries, a new
public library, mixed-use buildings and major reconstruction of the waterfront,
including a modernization of the City Marina, Sunrise Theatre and
Indian Hills Golf Course over the past 15 years.
Downtown Fort Pierce has regained its prominent historic role on the
Treasure Coast. Favored by nature and by its history, the waterfront community
offers outstanding assets and opportunities. Fort Pierce was
awarded the 2005 City of Excellence Award by the Florida League of Cities
for overall excellence in a city government.
The1923 Historic Sunrise Theatre for the Performing Arts reopened in
2006 and features Broadway Shows, nationally renowned artists and attractions
throughout the year. Downtown affords visitors and residents
alike with unique shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment opportunities.
Over the years, Fort Pierce’s educational opportunities have developed numerous
modern educational and research facilities, like top-ranked Indian
River State College, Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Institute,
Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit and the USDA Research Center
and the Treasure Coast Research Park.
This past decade in Fort Pierce, residents, businesses owners, elected officials
and community volunteers continue to make our city a great place to
live and work. Together we look ahead to preserving our past and investing
in the future of Fort Pierce, the Sunrise City.
2 The City News
2 The City News
By Anne Satterlee