Dig a bit into the history of Stuart and you’ll find an amusing anecdote about one of the city’s famed visitors, former President Grover Cleveland. As the story goes, Cleveland, an avid fisherman in his day, was ready to enjoy some leisure time after serving his second term as president. In 1899, he and four friends were on their way to Hobe Sound to do some fishing when their train made an unexpected stop in Stuart. The train was delayed for hours, so when a local offered to take the group fishing, they enthusiastically agreed. The former president enjoyed his unplanned visit to Stuart so much, he began returning every year, eventually buying a plot of land he hoped to build on. Sadly, he passed away before construction commenced, but the city later named Cleveland Avenue in his honor.
Decades later, Stuart continues to surprise visitors who pass through our small coastal city on their way to more well-known Florida destinations. Despite its modest size—the city spans 8.5 miles with a population of less than 20,000—Stuart offers a rich mix of culture and history combined with a vibrant community of businesses and residents, all set against the beauty of natural parks and coastlines. For those who know the area well, the fact that our little city took the number-one spot in USA Today’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards as the country’s Best Coastal Small Town is really no surprise at all.
“Stuart has a small-town feel and locally owned businesses, and it’s in an authentic location,” says Nerissa Okiye, tourism director for Martin County. “That’s hard to find, especially in South Florida, and I think a lot of people want to experience that.” Apparently, she is right. Stuart beat out popular destinations like Newport, Rhode Island; Cape May, New Jersey; and Key West to take first place in the USA Today Reader’s Choice vote.
The location, of course, is one of the main draws. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the state’s major southeastern cities, Stuart enjoys its own little enclave by the ocean while still being convenient to airports and other attractions. And, unlike some of its neighbors, Stuart has held on to its roots, its significant fishing community as strong as ever and longtime families with deep local ties still residing in town. There’s a charm to Stuart that simply can’t be found in surrounding areas that have become more, in a word, homogenized. At least for now, Stuart remains mostly unchanged, in all the right ways.
That’s not to say the city hasn’t grown. In fact, Stuart has gained 2,000 new residents in the past three years alone. And it has evolved to accommodate more of what people want today. For example, the arts scene has continued to boom, with many local artists calling Stuart home, galleries lining downtown streets, and city initiatives aimed at keeping the arts community thriving. Okiye points to the many murals that brighten buildings throughout the city: “We have a uniquely cutout area here, where not only is time preserved but arts and culture thrive. You can’t not see arts and culture when you’re in downtown Stuart.”
According to Candace Callahan, executive director of Stuart Main Street, one thing that makes Stuart stand out from its peers is the city’s dedication to historic preservation. “The historic character of our downtown dates back to the 1800s,” she says. “What you see today reflects very well-preserved historic buildings and landmarks.” Some of those notable landmarks include the Stuart Heritage Museum, housed in the old Stuart Feed Store; the 1895 Church of StuArt, the oldest church in Martin County and now a showcase for local artists; and the House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar, one of 10 original houses (and the only one still in existence) that were built along Florida’s east coast to provide shelter for shipwreck victims. Callahan encourages visitors to look for the many historic plaques on buildings, monuments, statues, and art pieces throughout the downtown area and learn a little bit more about Stuart’s past along the way.
The city’s commitment to maintaining its natural environment is equally strong. “We have a passionate community when it comes to environmental preservation,” says Callahan. A host of local organizations work tirelessly to ensure the natural beauty and wildlife of Stuart is protected. Stuart is home to the Florida Oceanographic Society, a nonprofit organization founded to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s ecosystems. The society operates a 57-acre nature center between the Indian River and the ocean, where visitors can interact with marine life and learn about our coastal environment. Audubon of Martin County, founded in 1955, is dedicated to the conservation of local bird habitats and hosts events like birding tours and educational walks to teach the public about native species. A favorite local spot for nature enthusiasts is the 564-acre Halpatiokee Regional Park, which is home to hundreds of species of native flora and fauna, including 13 endangered or threatened species.
Stuart does a great job of taking advantage of its location and abundance of beautiful nature, and there is no shortage of outdoor pleasures to keep residents and visitors happy. Music lovers flock to the St. Lucie River every Sunday for Rock’n Riverwalk, a free outdoor concert on the downtown waterfront, or head to nearby Terra Fermata for a live show. Shoppers find unique treasures at the host of indie shops and boutiques lining the streets and check out local goods at the weekly Market on Main in Flagler Park every Sunday. Paddleboarders and kayakers launch from the many parks along the St. Lucie River and enjoy a leisurely day floating along the river or the Indian River Lagoon. Golfers enjoy world-class courses including the The Champions Club at Summerfield and The Florida Club. Groups gather for food and drinks at the many restaurants overlooking the St. Lucie River and Manatee Pocket.
While the rest of the country is just now beginning to discover our little slice of paradise, those who call Stuart home have long known just how special the city is. And as Stuart continues to grow in popularity, let’s hope its magic continues to endure for generations to come.
Stuart: A Timeline
1870-72: The first non-native settlers arrive in what is now Stuart. Among them are German immigrants Ernest and Otto Stypmann, who name the area Potsdam after their European birthplace.
1875: A U.S. Lifesaving Station is established on Hutchinson Island, one of 10 along Florida’s coastline set up to assist victims of shipwrecks.
1880: Shipbuilder Thomas E. Richards plants 44,000 pineapple slips along the Indian River, spawning 30 years of pineapple farming in the area.
1892: Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway connects Potsdam to Daytona Beach (and to Miami four years later).
1895: Potsdam is renamed Stuart after Homer Hine “Jack” Stuart Jr., who owned property near the railroad station.
1901: George W. Parks opens his general merchandise store (which later became the Stuart Feed Store).
1904: The Georges Valentine, a ship en route from Pensacola to Buenos Aires, wrecks off the coast of Hutchinson Island. Today, the wreck is a popular dive spot.
1914: Stuart is incorporated as a town in Palm Beach County.
1915: The notorious Ashley Gang robs the Bank of Stuart, running off with $4,235. Seven years later, they rob the same bank again.
1925: Martin County is formed, and Stuart becomes the county seat.
1926: The Lyric Theatre opens on Flagler Avenue as a silent movie house with a small stage for vaudeville acts.
1941: The Stuart Sailfish Club, founded in the 1930s, is officially chartered. The club still runs tournaments today.
1955: The Florida Highwaymen hit the Treasure Coast, launched by young African-American artists Harold Newton and Alfred Hair.
1957: After a few momentous sailfish runs in local waters over the years, Stuart formally adopts the moniker “Sailfish Capital of the World.”
1961: The Elliott Museum opens, funded by Harmon Elliott to honor his late father, inventor Sterling Elliott.
1992: The Stuart Heritage Museum opens at the old Stuart Feed Store site.
2024: Stuart is named “America’s Best Coastal Small Town” by USA Today.
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