The History of Palm City

Palm City is a gorgeous place to work, play, and live, but were you aware of its history? It holds over 100 years of it. So much has happened here to make this vibrant community what it is today, which includes…

The fact that Palm City was bought for $1.91 and ¼ cents per acre.

Lawyer and real estate developer Charles Chillingsworth bought the land that would later be Palm City from George Beckwith for the stated price on August 10th, 1910. He then advertised it to Americans, Canadians, and a few Europeans, advertising that it was “healthful” land.

The fact that Chillingsworth used some interesting promotions.

Among his sales tactics, Chillingsworth offered a free acre of town parcel to anyone who bought land. He also planted pineapples, oranges, and grapefruit on the side of what would later be Martin Highway, to show how healthy and fertile the land was.

The fact that it hosted the Palm Villa Hotel.

The crown jewel of Palm City, it was three stories high and owned by George and Alice Jane (Sartain) Coffrin, who established it as a cultural, civic, and social center. It was open from 1913 to 1928. Many local groups would gather to meet under its castle-styled roof and chic gathering areas. Where it once stood is now where the bridge joins Martin Downs Boulevard.

The fact that a wooden bridge connected Palm City and Stuart.

It was first erected in February 1919 and cost over $60,000 to make. It was a draw bridge that helped prevent people from having to use the ferry or ford the river. In 1970, it was replaced with a concrete bridge.

The fact that Palm City’s first baseball team was called ‘The Palm City Swamp Angels.

It was organized by Charles Leighton (who served as Palm City’s first mail carrier) in 1922. They played on Leighton’s property, where he grew potatoes, citrus, and pineapples, among others, on twenty acres of land.

Palm City is a city with a storied history that helped firmly establish it as a part of Martin County. From the establishment of a wooden bridge to the creation of the Veteran Memorial Highway, and everything that happened in between, so much of Palm City’s history is Martin County’s history, and Florida’s history, by extension. Harbour Ridge has been a part of Palm City’s history as well, being one of Florida’s first waterfront golf communities. Located on the shoreline of the St. Lucie River in Palm City, Harbour Ridge is Florida’s premier waterfront golf community. Receiving the Outstanding Florida Community Award from Audubon International ensures that Harbour Ridge is protecting their natural history as well as their human history. The opportunities are endless with world-class amenities and the perfect South Florida location. And you’re just minutes from all of the fun and events in the area. Request a free digital brochure today to learn more about the community and the Florida lifestyle it offers, or visit us at harbourridge.com.