Local History

The Back Story

As we go about our everyday lives in Vero Beach and the surrounding area, we encounter many remnants of the history that paved the way for the community we know and love today.

Archaeological evidence has indicated that humans may have first arrived here in the Pleistocene Epoch, about 12,000 years ago.

The Ais people are the earliest inhabitants of our area about whom anything substantial is known; they were hunter-gatherers who partook predominantly of the abundant seafood available to them.

Though virtually synonymous with Florida, the Seminoles came much later, in the mid-18th century. They emerged from the southerly migration of groups from several tribes, most notably the Creeks. By that time, the Spanish had been in Florida for centuries, though they remained considerably north of our location. Their most renowned contact with the Treasure Coast was the incident that gave it the name Treasure Coast: the destruction of 11 ships — all but one of what would become known as the “Spanish Treasure Fleet” — off our coast by a hurricane in 1715.

The Arrival of Settlers

The latter part of the 19th century saw the first settlers of European descent make their way to Vero Beach. A small permanent settlement already existed just to the south near Fort Pierce, an

1715 Eleven of 12 ships of a Spanish fleet carrying silver treasure are lost in a hurricane off the coast of Vero Beach, just seven days into their journey from Havana to Spain; hence the name “Treasure Coast.”

1888 H.T. and Sarah Gifford and family arrive and begin to organize the nascent settlement into the town that today is Vero Beach.

1891 The U.S. Postal Service accepts the application of the town of “Vero.” It is believed that Sarah Gifford chose the name based on the Latin word for “truth.”

1919 The town of Vero is incorporated, with A.W. Young as its first mayor. Riomar, the first residential development on Vero’s barrier island, is established. 184

army fort built in 1838 during the Second Seminole War and named for Lt. Col. B.K. Pierce, brother of President Franklin Pierce.

The roots of modern-day Vero Beach can be traced to the 1888 arrival of Henry T. and Sarah Gifford, with their family and one hired man, from Vermont. The dramatic relocation was brought about by a doctor’s recommendation of a warmer climate, but one must assume that medical necessity was accompanied by a robust sense of adventure.

About a year after the Giffords settled here, the Ayers family arrived, and gradually, out of the dense palmetto thickets, began to emerge a town. A major step occurred in 1891 when Gifford petitioned the U.S. postmaster general for a post office in the fledgling community. It is believed that, in response to the need for a four-letter designation, Sarah Gifford drew on the Latin word for “truth” in selecting the name “Vero.” The Gifford home was the town’s first post office, and mail was delivered via rowboat once a week.

The pioneer men hacked out the roadway that would become U.S. Highway 1, but in the early days, the river was the real highway. Vero was part of Brevard County then, and “floating stores” made regular round trips from Titusville and Cocoa down to Fort Pierce, trading at settlements as they went.

As the turn of the century approached, the railroad made its way southward,

Heritage Center

Downtown Vero Beach was much smaller in the 1940s, but looking east along Route 60 it’s easy to imagine the town we know today.

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

reaching our area and then the considerably more developed town of West Palm Beach in 1894. The increasing ease of travel throughout the country set the stage for Vero to begin its own growth spurt.

The Rise of Agriculture

The next phase of Vero’s growth was centered on agriculture. An Iowan named Herman Zeuch (rhymes with “sigh”) spearheaded a major agricultural campaign in our area. Recognizing that the climate here allows for three growing seasons, Zeuch purchased 55,000 acres in 1912 and established the Indian River Farms Company. Heavy advertising up North inspired many adventurous men and women to come down and seek their fortunes as farmers.

The Indian River Farms Company undertook an enormous drainage project to transform the swampy terrain into arable land. It was during the dredging of the main canal (near the current County Administration Complex) that artifacts of archaeological significance were discovered, leading to the fascinating saga of Vero Man and the Old Vero Ice Age

1925 “Vero” becomes “Vero Beach” and is designated county seat of the newly formed Indian River County.

1932 Nurse Garnett Lunsford Radin establishes a 21-bed hospital, which, after World War II, would become Indian River Memorial Hospital.

1942 The U.S. Navy selects Vero Beach’s airport to be commissioned as Naval Air Station Vero Beach and used as a training facility during the war.

1948 On the initiative of businessman and airport manager Bud Holman, Naval Air Station Vero Beach is transformed into Dodgertown, the spring training facility of the Brooklyn (and later Los Angeles) Dodgers.

1951 The Merrill P. Barber Bridge, connecting the mainland to the barrier island, is dedicated. A steel-and-concrete drawbridge, it replaces the wooden bridge in use since 1920.

1973 Riverside Theatre is built using funds from private donations. Site excavations.

As the second decade of the 20th century came to a close, a huge variety of crops were growing, and so was the town of Vero, which was incorporated in 1919. In 1925, when Indian River County was formed, its county seat was established in Vero, which would henceforth be known as Vero Beach.

The Triumph of Citrus

Because Vero Beach lies at the very heart of the Indian River Citrus District, a long, narrow strip of land that possesses optimal geological and meteorological conditions for the cultivation of delicious citrus fruits, the town’s destiny became clear. Many Indian River County farmers and businessmen zeroed in on citrus as the path to success, and groves blanketed our landscape as far as the eye could see.

Citrus crops, particularly grapefruit, became a mainstay of our economy and the name “Indian River” became renowned for superior citrus. This status continued for decades.

Alas, citrus tree diseases, hurricanes and, perhaps most of all, development, have taken their toll on the local citrus industry. Nevertheless, some dedicated growers refuse to turn their backs on this integral part of our heritage and, with ever-expanding technology and modern agricultural advances, are carrying on the Indian River citrus legacy.

The Role of the Airport

Even the briefest history of Vero Beach would be incomplete without a mention of Bud Holman. It was through his efforts that Vero Beach obtained its airport in the 1920s, and it was the presence of that airport that drew the attention of the U.S. Navy to our area early in World War II. Naval Air Station Vero Beach was established at the airport and served as a training facility for the rest of the war.

Holman also played a key role after the war, when ownership of the airport reverted to the municipality

and the question of what to do with the now-unused barracks arose. Seeing baseball in Vero Beach’s future, the inventive Holman proposed converting the empty fields into baseball diamonds and the barracks into housing for players and staff. The idea was presented to Brooklyn Dodgers manager Branch Rickey, and the Dodgers came to Vero Beach, where they would conduct their spring training for more than 50 years.

Beachside Boom

Only gradually did the barrier island become the affluent haven it is today. In 1919, three Cleveland physicians discovered Vero Beach as a potential site to build winter vacation homes for their families. They found some like-minded snowbirds, and Riomar Country Club was born. A golf course and clubhouse were built immediately, and Riomar became a destination for prosperous professionals.

It would be decades, though, before the “Beach” in “Vero Beach” was developed beyond Riomar. The town of Indian River Shores was established in 1953, and former Chicago stockbroker Fred R. Tuerk purchased a large amount of land. But before any plans came to fruition, he died in 1967. Enter developer E. Llwyd Ecclestone, who became the father of John’s Island. Jorge Gonzalez was instrumental in founding The Moorings a few years later, and Vero’s beachside boom was well on its way.

A Century and Beyond

In 2019, Vero Beach held months of centennial festivities. Another milestone will take place in 2025, when Indian River County will turn 100 years old. Natives and newcomers alike enjoy every opportunity to celebrate life in our beautiful seaside community.

Even in 1953, our local beaches were already a popular recreation destination.

FLORIDA MEMORY 1978 Indian River Memorial Hospital moves into its newest facility, which would, in 2019, become Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.

1986 Vero Beach Center for the Arts, later Vero Beach Museum of Art, is established.

2008 The Los Angeles Dodgers play their last spring training game in Vero Beach.

2019 “First Lady of Vero Beach” Alma Lee Loy serves as the grand marshal of the city’s October 2019 Centennial Parade.

Local History Museums & More

Heritage Center and Indian River Citrus Museum

Gifford Historical Museum and Cultural Center 2880 45th St. 772-985-7573 giffordhistoricalmuseumand culturalcenter.org Housed in the historic Old Macedonia Church, the museum preserves and celebrates the rich history of Gifford. Hallstrom House 1723 Old Dixie Hwy. SW 772-778-3435 irchistorical.org This historic home was built in 1909 by Axel Hallstrom, a Swedish horticulturist who emigrated to the United States in 1898, relocating to Vero Beach after initially settling in Minnesota. Heritage Center and Indian River Citrus Museum 2140 14th Ave. 772-770-2263 veroheritage.org Itself a landmark, the 1935 Heritage Center houses a museum that explores the history of Indian River County’s far-reaching citrus industry.

Indian River County Historical Society 2336 14th Ave. 772-778-3435 irchistorical.org Housed in the restored 1903 Vero Beach train station, the IRCHS headquarters contains historical exhibits.

Laura (Riding) Jackson Historic Home 6155 College Lane 772-569-6718 lauraridingjackson.org The turn-of-the-century cracker house of the poet Laura (Riding) Jackson has been preserved and is situated on the Mueller Campus of Indian River State College.

McKee Botanical Garden 350 U.S. Hwy. 1 772-794-0601 mckeegarden.org Established in 1932, the garden is an 18-acre subtropical jungle hammock filled with rich landscapes and historic architectural treasures.

McLarty Treasure Museum 13180 Hwy. A1A Southern boundary of Sebastian Inlet State Park 772-589-2147 floridastateparks.org/ sebastian-inlet This state-operated museum lies on the site of the camp established by the survivors of the 1715 shipwreck of Spanish treasure galleons while they awaited rescue. Mel Fisher Treasure Museum 1322 U.S. Hwy. 1, Sebastian 772-589-9875 melfisher.com/sebastian The museum is home to the legacy of America’s famous marine treasure hunter Mel Fisher.

National Navy UDT–SEAL Museum 3300 N. Hwy. A1A, Fort Pierce 772-595-5845 navysealmuseum.org The birthplace of the Navy Frogman program is the site of the only museum devoted solely to documenting and honoring the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs.

Sebastian Area Historical Museum 1235 Main St., Sebastian 772-581-1380 The museum, located in the 1927 historic Sebastian Grammar and Junior High School, has exhibits related to Indigenous inhabitants, pioneer life and more.

Sebastian Inlet Fishing Museum 14251 Hwy. A1A South side of Sebastian Inlet 772-589-9659 floridastateparks.org/ sebastian-inlet The museum, within Sebastian Inlet State Park, tells the story of the culturally significant local fishing industry.

U.S. Navy Armed Guard and Merchant Marines Museum 32 N. Broadway, Fellsmere 772-321-5493 The museum honors World War II veterans who served in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard and Merchant Marines. 189