HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-076 RESOLUTION NO. 21-076
A RESOLUTION HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE FORT PIERCE INLET IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. A natural Inlet opposite what is now St. Lucie Village was, for centuries, the most dependable
ingress from the vagaries of the Atlantic Ocean to the haven of the Indian River for ships in the age of sail
and steam, but tide and storm began to obstruct passage in the late 1800s until a 1910 hurricane closed
what was known as the Indian River Inlet. The Indian River Inlet had allowed Native Americans to harvest
fish from the sea; pioneers to engage in commercial fishing; and tourists to access to some of the most
exciting sports fishing experiences of the Gilded Age. The Inlet facilitated national and international trade
that established diversity, characteristic of all ports, and created a thriving local boat building industry. All
these advantages were lost with the closing of that path to the sea.
2. In 1918, local civic leaders organized the Fort Pierce Inlet Commission; in 1919, the Fort Pierce
Finance and Construction Company issued the first of four bond issues, which were approved by the voters
of St. Lucie County, demonstrating their willingness to tax themselves for the prosperity of the community.
The Commission began to purchase property adjacent to Taylor Creek and obtain deeds to property at
Tucker Cove. On May 8, 1921, a high tide finished the job, and the waters of river and sea were joined, once
again delivering Fort Pierce from being landlocked.
3. Fort Pierce wishes to honor the generation that suffered World War I and the Spanish Influenza,
planned, executed, and paid for the Fort Pierce Inlet and, as a result, re-started commercial and sports
fishing, making possible the enhanced Port of Fort Pierce under the leadership of Edwin Binney and
increased the success of the citrus industry by lower shipping rates. The U.S. Navy chose Fort Pierce as the
location for the Amphibious Training Base on Hutchinson Island in World War II because of the Inlet. Millions
of dollars of treasure from the sunken 1715 Spanish Plata fleet came through this Inlet.
4. Our man-made Fort Pierce Inlet is considered the safest inlet between New Smyrna and West
Palm Beach and attracts boaters from inland Florida year-round and from the many northern states. The
boat builders, marine services, marinas and yacht clubs, seaside eateries, yacht sales, and other contributing
enterprises benefit the local economy substantially. Derecktor Fort Pierce operates at the Port of Fort Pierce
bringing mega yacht repair and refit industry, using the world's largest mobile boat hoist, making it the latest
boon to our area in jobs, contributing enterprises, and tax revenue made possible by the Inlet.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida
that this Board does hereby honor the "100th Anniversary of the Fort Pierce Inlet" in St. Lucie County, Florida.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 4th day of May 2021.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
qq ST LUCIE C NTY LQRI
DEPUTY CLERK - - . CHAIR
APPROV F RIB & CORRECTNESS:
COUNTY A RNEY