Port St. Lucie Historical Society

Welcome to the Port St. Lucie Historical Society's

In the beginning ...

In 1958 General Development Corporation (GDC) purchased the River Park property located just outside the northern border of the soon to be city of Port St. Lucie (and the adjoining 40,000 acres which in 1961 became the city). General Development Corp. was a subsidiary of the Mackle Company. The three Mackle brothers, Frank, Elliott and Robert, created and developed eight other planned communities in Florida. Their budget of $50 million to develop a new community on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River created quite a reaction...the great land rush for Port St. Lucie was on!

Full page magazine ads enticed northern retirees. They could purchase an 80 by 125 foot lot for $10 down and $10 a month. Homes would sell from just under $9,000 up to $15, 000. Local ranchers began selling pasture land to speculators. (more ... $10 down)         (Click to enlarge ad)

Our "museum" is a work in progress ... please check back regularly


Gardner Cowles (front right) with Mackle Brothers

River Park ...

In the 1950's, south of White City, there were few homes. The area was a peaceful little slice of Florida. Not much more than a fish camp (Pruitt’s) along the St. Lucie River, roaming cattle from the few area ranches, and a fruit stand or two along the two-lanes of U.S. 1. (more ... River Park)

Spruce Bluff ....

The earliest known occupants of the area were the Ais Indians. Evidence of their presence at Spruce Bluff is still visible. The "Spruce Bluff Mound" is about 18 feet tall and 190 feet in diameter. Historical research dates the mound between 100 and 300 B.C. This mound was investigated and recorded in 1978, by the state of Florida. There had been two other ancient mounds in the area, but they were destroyed and used as fill for roads. Spruce Bluff is still located in south-east Port St. Lucie off South Bend Boulevard.

The first organized non-Indian settlement in what is now Port St. Lucie was Spruce Bluff.  This was a very small community in the 1890's.  (more ...Spruce Bluff)