Historic Preservation

Martin County was created on May 30, 1925 in the height of the Florida land boom. Early pioneers of the area felt ignored by the Palm Beach government and desired their own county. In early 1925, as part of Palm Beach County, Stuart learned they would receive only $250,000 of a $6,000,000 bond to build roads in the county. This motivated many of the town’s business people and by April 3, 1925 they organized a movement to create a new county.

The bill was first introduced to the Florida legislature on May 7, 1925 along with a petition signed by 3200 residents. Unfortunately, the bill seemed to have no support and appeared to be a lost cause until Governor John W. Martin was informed that the proposed county would bear his name. The bill passed the House of Representatives, 71-6 and the Senate, 26-4. The rest is history, so to speak. The Stuart Welcome Arch was erected in 1926 to commemorate the newly formed Martin County. It was restored to its original appearance in November 2006. This arch is just one of many properties in Martin County that are listed on the local and national historic registers.

Currently, there are four incorporated municipalities in Martin County: Stuart, Jupiter Island, Sewalls Point and Ocean Breeze Park.

The Historic Preservation Board (HPB) is consists of seven members appointed by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners. Board members must be a resident of Martin County. The Board of County Commissioners appoints retirees or professionals who have demonstrated interest and experience in historic preservation and when possible have expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, real estate, archaeology, history, art history or law.

The HPB meets the third Wednesday of each month from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Martin County Administrative Center located at 2410 SE Monterey Road.
Agenda's and Minutes

Martin County has a local historic register to which owners of property in unincorporated Martin County may apply. This historic register provides certain tax benefits and protects the property from future modifications or demolition. Once a property is listed on the historic register, the owner must apply for a Certificate of Appropriateness to assure that the property is being improved in a historically sensitive manner. Members of the Historic Preservation Board review the plans before the building permit can be issued. To apply to the Local Historic Register, the property owner must complete a petition which will be reviewed by staff and the HPB. If the application is found to be sufficient, a hearing is scheduled for final determination. Owners of listed properties receive a plaque in recognition of this designation.

Bonnie Landry
Historic Preservation Planner

Photo Credit: Our thanks to Alex Boerner of Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers for the "Stuart Welcome Arch" photo.