Fort Pierce, Florida

This article is about the city in Florida. For other uses, see Fort Pierce (disambiguation).

City in Florida, United States

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Seal

Nickname: The Sunrise City

Location in St. Lucie County and the state of Florida Coordinates: 27°26′20″N 80°20′8″W / 27.43889°N 80.33556°W / 27.43889; -80.33556 Country United States State Florida County St. Lucie Founded 1838 [1] Settled c. 1860s [1] Incorporated (city) 1901 [2] [3] Government • Type Commission-Manager • Mayor Linda Hudson • Commissioners [6] List • Michael Broderick, District 2 • Curtis Johnson, Jr. District 1 • vacant, District 2 • Arnold S. Gaines, District 1 • City Manager Richard Chess • City Clerk Linda Cox [4] • City Attorney Andrea Duenas [5] Area [7] • Total 29.84 sq mi (77.29 km 2 ) • Land 23.79 sq mi (61.62 km 2 ) • Water 6.05 sq mi (15.67 km 2 ) Elevation 16 ft (5 m) Population (2020) • Total 47,297 • Density 1,988.0/sq mi (767.59/km 2 ) Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT) ZIP Codes 34945–34951, 34954, 34979, 34981-34982 FIPS code 12-24300 GNIS feature ID 0307964 [8] Website cityoffortpierce .com

Fort Pierce stands as a city and the designated county seat of St. Lucie County, Florida, within the United States. Situated approximately an hour's drive to the north of the bustling West Palm Beach, this coastal municipality forms a significant part of the Treasure Coast region, an evocative name for a stretch of Florida’s Atlantic Coast frequently associated with shipwrecks and salvaged riches [9]. It is also rather optimistically known as the "Sunrise City" [10], a moniker that suggests a perpetual dawn, perhaps to distract from the inevitable heat of the day. According to the 2020 census, the city recorded a population of 47,297 [11], a number that, like all things, continues its relentless march upward.

History

The city itself owes its rather martial name to the Fort Pierce army post, which was established in the vicinity back in 1838. This military outpost was a product of the tumultuous Second Seminole War, a conflict that, like many human endeavors, was both brutal and ultimately futile, lasting until 1842 [1]. The fort was named in honor of Benjamin Kendrick Pierce, a career officer within the United States Army and, perhaps more notably to some, the elder brother of a future President, Franklin Pierce [12]. One might wonder if the fort's namesake ever truly appreciated having a temporary military installation in Florida bear his name, or if it was merely another fleeting recognition in a life of duty.

The first attempts at creating a permanent civilian settlement in what would become the current city began during the 1860s [1], a period of significant upheaval across the nation. By 1901, the burgeoning community had achieved sufficient coherence to be officially incorporated as a municipality [2] [3]. For a considerable stretch, specifically until 1970, Fort Pierce held the distinction of being the largest city along Florida's Atlantic Coast, occupying the vast expanse between the energetic shores of Daytona Beach and the more genteel environs of West Palm Beach. This reign, however, eventually concluded when it was surpassed by the growth of Melbourne, demonstrating that even coastal supremacy is, much like everything else, impermanent.

Lincoln Park

The neighborhood of Lincoln Park, an area demarcated by its location north of Moore's Creek, initially bore the name Edgartown. This district holds a particular resonance in cultural history, notably as the residence of the acclaimed writer, anthropologist, and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston. Her presence alone imbues the area with a depth that most places can only dream of. In its prime, during the vibrant decades of the 1950s and 1960s, Lincoln Park was the heart of a flourishing African-American community. Its commercial and social life was primarily concentrated along Avenue D, which served as the county's undeniable center for African-American businesses. This vibrant hub boasted the Lincoln Theater on Avenue D, a cultural landmark that surely witnessed its share of stories, both on screen and off. Today, Lincoln Park Academy, an institution of learning that has undoubtedly shaped countless lives, is still prominently situated within the neighborhood, specifically on Avenue I, west of North 17th Street [13].

The Florida Highwaymen

• Main article: Florida Highwaymen

Each February, Lincoln Park becomes the focal point for a celebration dedicated to the distinctive artwork of the Florida Highwaymen. This collective of African-American landscape artists emerged in the 1950s, creating vibrant, often idyllic, depictions of Florida's natural beauty. Their story is one of resourcefulness and defiance against the prevailing racial barriers of the era. The local artist A.E. Backus played a pivotal role, offering mentorship and guidance to many of these burgeoning talents from his gallery. It's said that several of these artists honed their initial skills and found their footing at Lincoln Park Academy, under the nurturing leadership of their teacher, Zanobia Jefferson. It wasn't until 1994 that art historian Jim Fitch bestowed upon the group the now-iconic, and perhaps slightly romanticized, name of 'the Highwaymen,' recognizing their unique method of selling their art directly from their car trunks along Florida's roadsides. Over the two decades spanning 2001 to 2020, Gary Monroe, an art historian, meticulously documented and celebrated their work, authoring several comprehensive books that illuminate the artistic journey of the 26 artists (which notably included one woman) who comprised this extraordinary collective [14] [15] [16] [17]. Their legacy is a testament to art's ability to transcend societal limitations, even if the "highwaymen" moniker does conjure images of a different kind of pursuit.

Geography

Beach in Fort Pierce

According to the ever-diligent U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Fort Pierce encompasses a total area of 29.84 square miles (77.29 km 2 ). Of this, a substantial 23.79 square miles (61.62 km 2 ) is composed of land, while the remaining 6.05 square miles (15.67 km 2 ) — approximately 20% of its total area — is accounted for by water [18]. It's a testament to the persistent embrace of the ocean, which, much like the human condition, is both beautiful and relentlessly encroaching.

Environment

Shore Protection project

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a body perpetually engaged in the Sisyphean task of managing natural forces, oversees the Fort Pierce Beach Shore Protection project. This endeavor encompasses a 1.3-mile (2.1 km) stretch of shoreline, extending from the immediate south of the Fort Pierce Inlet down to Surfside Park. The beach in question is on a rather aggressive two-year renourishment cycle. This accelerated schedule is necessitated by the perpetual impacts inflicted upon the beach by the federal navigation project at Fort Pierce Inlet, making it a peculiar cycle of human intervention causing the need for more human intervention. This two-year interval is notably shorter than what is typically observed for similar projects along Florida's east coast, suggesting a particularly stubborn interaction between sand and ambition [19].

The initial construction of this project commenced in 1971, with the ninth renourishment having been brought to its conclusion in May 2013. The laborious process of completing plans and specifications, along with the advertisement and award for the tenth renourishment contract, was finalized in Fiscal Year 2014. The actual work was then slated to begin in mid-February 2015. The necessary sand for this continuous battle against erosion is methodically dredged from an approved offshore borrow area, known rather prosaically as the Capron Shoal. This material is then, with considerable effort, pumped via a pipeline onto the designated 1.3-mile (2.1 km) stretch of beach located south of the Fort Pierce Inlet. The local sponsor, St. Lucie County, is currently undertaking the preparation of a General Reevaluation Report (GRR) for the project, funding this at their own expense. This report aims to evaluate the feasibility of extending federal participation for an additional half-century, a testament to the enduring nature of both erosion and bureaucracy. The current federal involvement is set to expire in 2020 [19], leaving one to wonder about the future of this sandy perpetual motion machine.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has estimated the total cost of this ongoing project at a rather significant $75.9 million. Of this sum, the estimated share to be borne by the [U.S. Federal Government](/U.S._Federal_Government) is approximately$ 46.4 million, a figure that surely makes some taxpayers wince. Notably, no funding for this project was explicitly requested by the U.S. President from the U.S. Congress in Fiscal Year 2016 [19], which, depending on your perspective, is either a strategic omission or a classic administrative oversight.

Ecology

The Experimental Oculina Research Reserve stands as a testament to the quiet, complex life beneath the waves. This reserve is dedicated to preserving the Oculina Banks, a remarkably fragile reef composed of ivory bush coral (Oculina varicosa) situated off the coast of Fort Pierce, Florida. In 1984, a 92 square-nautical-mile (316 km 2 ) segment of these critical reefs was formally designated as the "Oculina Habitat Area of Particular Concern," a bureaucratic title that hardly conveys the biological significance. A decade later, in 1994, the area received further protection, being entirely closed to all forms of bottom fishing and subsequently redesignated as a dedicated research reserve. The commitment to preservation deepened in 2000, when the marine protected area was expanded to an impressive 300 square nautical miles (1,030 km 2 ), with a prohibition extended to all fishing gears capable of causing any mechanical disruption to the delicate habitat. Beyond the corals, the city is also notable for hosting a substantial population of manatees, those gentle, slow-moving giants of the sea, which, one might argue, are among the few truly pleasant inhabitants of these waters.

Marina

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Fort Pierce Marina

The Fort Pierce City Marina was, in 2004, subjected to the rather brutal whims of nature, suffering extensive devastation at the hands of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. Following this rather emphatic reminder of nature's indifference, FEMA, with its characteristic insistence on foresight, mandated a comprehensive plan to ensure that the rebuilt facility would possess adequate protection against future, equally inevitable, meteorological events. This was a prerequisite for the release of any federal funding for the necessary repairs, proving that even disaster relief has its bureaucratic hoops.

Commencing in 2012, construction began on an ambitious project to establish 12 artificial barrier islands. These islands were designed not merely as physical barriers but as complex ecological systems, incorporating oyster beds, lime rock artificial reefs, flourishing mangrove fringes, and resilient coastal dunes. The structural "core" of these islands was ingeniously constructed using TITANTubes, which are sometimes referred to by the more technical terms of geotextile tubes or geotubes. These specialized tubes, manufactured by Flint Industries, were then meticulously covered by a robust coastal marine mattress, which was subsequently armored with stone, creating a formidable defense. The entire project, a testament to human ingenuity and persistence in the face of natural power, reached its completion in 2013, following a painstaking six-year period of planning, permitting, and construction, all at a cost of $18 million. One can only hope it proves more resilient than its predecessors.

Climate

Fort Pierce is geographically positioned within a fascinating and often uncomfortable broad transition zone. It lies between the pervasive humid subtropical climate (Cfa), which characteristically dominates Central Florida, and the northernmost reaches of the tropical climate that defines much of South Florida. This means residents get a taste of both oppressive humidity and relentless heat, a delightful combination.

Climate data for Fort Pierce, Florida (Treasure Coast International Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1901–present

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	89 (32)	90 (32)	93 (34)	97 (36)	98 (37)	101 (38)	101 (38)	101 (38)	99 (37)	98 (37)	92 (33)	89 (32)	101 (38)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	84.4 (29.1)	86.4 (30.2)	89.4 (31.9)	91.0 (32.8)	93.4 (34.1)	94.9 (34.9)	95.7 (35.4)	95.0 (35.0)	93.3 (34.1)	90.9 (32.7)	87.0 (30.6)	84.7 (29.3)	97.0 (36.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	73.4 (23.0)	75.7 (24.3)	78.3 (25.7)	81.9 (27.7)	85.6 (29.8)	88.5 (31.4)	90.3 (32.4)	90.2 (32.3)	88.1 (31.2)	84.2 (29.0)	79.2 (26.2)	75.4 (24.1)	82.6 (28.1)
Daily mean °F (°C)	62.3 (16.8)	64.8 (18.2)	67.4 (19.7)	71.5 (21.9)	76.2 (24.6)	79.9 (26.6)	81.4 (27.4)	81.6 (27.6)	80.3 (26.8)	76.4 (24.7)	69.9 (21.1)	65.5 (18.6)	73.1 (22.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	51.2 (10.7)	53.9 (12.2)	56.5 (13.6)	61.1 (16.2)	66.8 (19.3)	71.3 (21.8)	72.6 (22.6)	72.9 (22.7)	72.6 (22.6)	68.5 (20.3)	60.6 (15.9)	55.7 (13.2)	63.6 (17.6)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	34.0 (1.1)	37.0 (2.8)	41.3 (5.2)	47.6 (8.7)	56.7 (13.7)	66.5 (19.2)	68.7 (20.4)	69.2 (20.7)	67.2 (19.6)	53.9 (12.2)	44.7 (7.1)	38.1 (3.4)	31.8 (−0.1)
Record low °F (°C)	19 (−7)	25 (−4)	26 (−3)	33 (1)	45 (7)	56 (13)	61 (16)	61 (16)	59 (15)	42 (6)	31 (−1)	19 (−7)	19 (−7)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.82 (72)	2.17 (55)	2.88 (73)	3.03 (77)	3.93 (100)	6.69 (170)	5.85 (149)	6.94 (176)	6.27 (159)	5.25 (133)	3.01 (76)	2.33 (59)	51.17 (1,300)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	8.7	7.7	8.1	7.2	9.0	14.2	15.3	15.4	15.4	12.2	10.4	9.3	132.9

Source: NOAA [20] [21]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	1,333	—
1920	2,115		58.7%
1930	4,803		127.1%
1940	8,040		67.4%
1950	13,502		67.9%
1960	25,256		87.1%
1970	29,721		17.7%
1980	33,802		13.7%
1990	36,830		9.0%
2000	37,516		1.9%
2010	41,910		11.7%
2020	47,297		12.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [22]
2010 [23] 2020 [24]

Fort Pierce racial composition (Hispanics excluded from racial categories) (NH = Non-Hispanic)

Race	Pop 2010 [23]	Pop 2020 [24]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	14,639	15,465	35.20%	32.70%
Black or African American (NH)	16,787	17,936	40.36%	37.92%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	107	86	0.26%	0.18%
Asian (NH)	337	472	0.81%	1.00%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	20	15	0.05%	0.03%
Some other race (NH)	83	273	0.20%	0.58%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)	613	1,450	1.47%	3.07%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	9,004	11,600	21.65%	24.53%
Total	41,590	47,297	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, the city of Fort Pierce was home to 47,297 individuals, distributed among 16,687 households, which in turn contained 10,005 families [25]. These numbers, of course, represent the ever-shifting tableau of human existence within defined municipal boundaries.

A decade prior, according to the 2010 United States census, the city’s population stood at 41,590 people, residing in 15,207 households, with 9,515 of those constituting families [26]. The population density in 2010 was recorded at 2,021.9 inhabitants per square mile (780.7/km 2 ) [27], a concentration of humanity that, while not suffocating, certainly ensures a certain level of unavoidable interaction. At that time, there were 17,170 housing units, averaging a density of 1,164.7 per square mile (449.7/km 2 ), providing shelter for this ever-growing populace.

Delving into the specifics of 2010, the demographic landscape revealed that 32.9% of households nurtured children under the age of 18, a testament to the persistent cycle of procreation. Approximately 37.3% of households were comprised of married couples living in harmonious (or at least cohabiting) unity, while 19.6% featured a female householder navigating life without a present husband. A significant 37.9% of households were classified as non-families, perhaps indicating a preference for solitude or a more fluid arrangement of individuals. Furthermore, 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, with 11.7% of these solitary figures being 65 years of age or older, a quiet testament to longevity and, perhaps, independence. The average household size was calculated at 2.73, while the average family size was a slightly more expansive 3.50 [28].

The age distribution in Fort Pierce in 2010 painted a picture of a diverse populace: 25.9% were under the age of 18, still navigating the bewildering path of youth; 7.0% fell into the 20 to 24 age bracket, often at the precipice of their adult lives; 13.3% were between 25 and 34, firmly entrenched in careers and family-building; 13.0% were from 45 to 54, perhaps contemplating mid-life; 9.8% ranged from 55 to 64, nearing the twilight of their working years; and 6.8% were 65 years of age or older, having accumulated a lifetime of experiences. The median age for the city was a rather precise 35.2 years. In terms of gender balance, for every 100 females, there were 97.4 males, a slight disparity that often sparks endless, largely pointless, speculation. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 94.9 males [28], maintaining a similar, if slightly more pronounced, imbalance.

Economically, in 2010, the median income for a household within Fort Pierce was $30,869, a figure that, for many, likely felt more aspirational than comfortable. Families fared slightly better, with a median income of$ 36,337. A comparison between genders revealed that males earned a median income of $32,412, while females trailed with$ 26,349 [28], a disparity that, unfortunately, remains a persistent feature of many economic landscapes. The per capita income for the city was $16,782, suggesting a modest economic environment. A rather stark 30.2% of the population found themselves existing below the poverty line [27], a grim reminder of the economic realities that often underpin the sun-drenched facade of Florida living.

Economy

Fort Pierce Farmers Market

Largest employers [29]

No.	Employer	Employees
1	HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital	1,847
2	Walmart Distribution Center	1,273
3	Pursuit Boats	684
4	Maverick Boat Group	580
5	City of Fort Pierce	358

The economic engine of Fort Pierce is driven by a predictable mix of healthcare, logistics, and local government, punctuated by the rather specific niche of boat manufacturing. One might observe that the human need for both sustenance and escape remains constant, even in Florida.

Port of Fort Pierce

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a body whose existence seems predicated on the continuous management of water and its various interactions with human commerce, an average of 350,000 tons of waterborne commerce navigates through the Port of Fort Pierce annually. This considerable volume underscores the port's vital role in regional trade. Key commodities that rely heavily on the port's infrastructure include the export of citrus – a quintessential Florida product – and the import of essential materials such as cement and aragonite. The last significant navigation improvements undertaken at the port were formally authorized by the U.S. Congress as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1988, with construction reaching its completion in August 1996. The current configuration of the port includes an entrance channel measuring 400 ft (120 m) in width and 30 ft (9.1 m) in depth. The interior channel, facilitating access further inland, is 250 ft (76 m) wide and 28 ft (8.5 m) deep. A turning basin, essential for vessel maneuverability, spans 1,100 ft (340 m) square and maintains a depth of 28 ft (8.5 m). Additionally, a north access channel, situated immediately north of the main turning basin, is 1,250 ft (380 m) long, 250 ft (76 m) wide, and also 28 ft (8.5 m) deep [30]. These precise measurements are a testament to the meticulous planning required for the relentless flow of goods.

In late 2014, significant dredging operations were concluded within the port. These efforts involved the strategic placement of beach-quality sand onto the beach immediately south of the Inlet, a continuous effort to battle erosion. Concurrently, non-beach-quality sand, deemed unsuitable for recreational purposes, was disposed of in an approved offshore area [30], a practical solution for the less aesthetically pleasing spoils of progress.

Arts and culture

Tourist attractions

A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery

The city of Fort Pierce, for those inclined to seek out diversions, offers a collection of attractions that range from the artistic to the aquatic, and the historical to the educational. One might find:

The A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery, dedicated to the vibrant landscapes of Florida.
The Arcade Building, a relic of earlier architectural aspirations.
Art Mundo at the Art Bank [31], a center for creative expression, for those who appreciate such things.
The Boston House, a historical structure with its own quiet stories.
Dust Tracks of Zora Neale Hurston [32] [33], a poignant nod to the literary giant who once walked these streets.
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, offering glimpses into the mysteries of the deep.
Heathcote Botanical Gardens, for those who prefer their beauty cultivated.
Historic Main Street [34], a testament to the past, for better or worse.
The Florida Power and Light Energy Encounter [35], an educational foray into the world of energy, which, one assumes, is quite illuminating.
Lincoln Park Main Street [32], another historical artery of the community.
Old Fort Pierce City Hall, where the machinery of local governance once hummed.
Old Fort Park, a reminder of the city's military origins.
The Manatee Center [36], providing a sanctuary and educational hub for those gentle, slow-moving marine mammals, a rare moment of undeniable charm.
The Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, a repository of the formidable history of the United States Navy SEALs, whose original training grounds were, rather surprisingly, here in Fort Pierce.
The Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit [37], offering a window into the complex underwater worlds off the coast.
The St. Lucie County Marine Center [38], further expanding on the region's aquatic connections.
The St. Lucie County Regional History Center [39], for those who wish to delve deeper into the local narrative.
The Sunrise Theatre [40], where performances, both grand and intimate, grace the stage.

Government

•

Fort Pierce City Hall

The city of Fort Pierce operates under a council–manager government form of local governance, a structure designed to separate policy-making from administrative execution. The positions of commissioner and mayor are nonpartisan, ostensibly allowing individuals to serve without the usual partisan entanglements, and each holds a term of four years. One can only imagine the intricate dance of personalities and policies that unfolds within these chambers.

Education

Colleges and universities

Kight Center for Emerging Technologies at the Fort Pierce campus of Indian River State College

For those seeking the dubious enlightenment of higher education, Fort Pierce offers several institutions:

Florida Atlantic University maintains a presence through its Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, focusing on the profound mysteries of the ocean.
Florida State University operates a Medical School Regional Campus, presumably to churn out more doctors for the inevitable ailments of humanity.
Indian River State College provides a broader range of academic and vocational pursuits, a pragmatic choice for many.
The University of Florida contributes its expertise via the Indian River Research and Education Center, delving into agricultural and environmental science.

High schools

The crucible of adolescence is forged in these local high schools:

Faith Baptist School
Fort Pierce Central High School
Fort Pierce Westwood Academy
John Carroll Catholic High School
Lincoln Park Academy

Middle schools

The awkward years are navigated at:

Creative Arts Academy of Saint Lucie [41]
Dan McCarty Middle School
Forest Grove Middle School
Lincoln Park Academy
Saint Anastasia Middle School
Saint Andrew's Academy
Samuel S. Gaines Academy K–8

Elementary schools

And the earliest, most formative years are spent at:

Chester A. Moore Elementary School
Creative Arts Academy of Saint Lucie [41]
Fairlawn Elementary School
Francis K. Sweet Elementary School
Lakewood Park Elementary School
Lawnwood Elementary School
Samuel S. Gaines Academy K–8
Weatherbee Elementary School
White City Elementary School

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Fort Pierce Railroad Station in the early 20th Century

Fort Pierce is strategically positioned along US 1, a major north-south artery, and is located near its intersection with SR 70. For those seeking faster, less scenic routes, I-95 and Florida's Turnpike are conveniently accessible at the western periphery of the city. The tranquil, yet vital, Intracoastal Waterway gracefully traverses through the city, offering an alternative mode of passage. For air travel, the nearest airport offering scheduled passenger service is located in Melbourne, while the closest major international gateway is Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach [42]. The city itself, however, hosts a general aviation facility, the Treasure Coast International Airport, catering to smaller aircraft and private flights, for those who prefer to avoid the masses.

Local transportation planning falls under the purview of the St. Lucie Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) [43]. The TPO functions as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), a federal mandate ensuring comprehensive transportation planning, programming, and the judicious allocation of State and Federal transportation funds specifically for the City of Fort Pierce. The TPO is governed by a dedicated TPO Board, composed of elected officials, representatives from the St. Lucie County School Board, and delegates from Community Transit, a division operating under The Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc. [44]. The genesis of the local bus system began in the 1990s as a demand-response service, initially serving only St. Lucie County. This evolved into a more structured fixed-route system, offering predetermined stops and schedules. On June 3, 2002, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approved crucial funding, facilitating the expansion of bus service into Martin County, at which point it was rebranded as the Treasure Coast Connector [45] [46], a rather ambitious name for a bus service.

Historically, from 1894 until 1968, the Florida East Coast Railway provided passenger rail service to the city. Prior to a significant strike that commenced in 1963, Fort Pierce was a regular stop for several long-distance passenger trains originating from major hubs like Chicago, Cincinnati, and New York City, all en route to Miami. These included notable services such as the Illinois Central Railroad's iconic City of Miami and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad's South Wind, both embarking from Chicago. From New York, passengers could board the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad's East Coast Champion, the Havana Special, and the winter-only Florida Special [47] [48] [49]. Into the late 1950s, the Dixie Flagler also offered connections to Chicago, albeit via Atlanta [50]. Even after the strike, the FEC maintained a six-day-a-week Jacksonville-Miami train service from 1965 to 1968, a continuation enforced by court order [51]. The golden age of rail travel, much like many golden ages, eventually faded.

In more recent times, both Amtrak and the Florida East Coast Railway have engaged in discussions and planning for the establishment of new stations along Florida's East Coast. The cities identified by Amtrak and the Florida Department of Transportation as potential sites for these renewed services included Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Melbourne, Titusville, Cocoa, Daytona Beach and St. Augustine [52]. However, the wheels of progress, particularly in infrastructure, tend to turn with agonizing slowness.

More recently, in 2023, Brightline, the sleek inter-city rail service that currently connects Miami to Orlando, announced its active search for suitable locations to establish a new station on the Treasure Coast [53]. Despite the historical presence of rail and these ongoing discussions, as of 2024, there are currently no concrete plans to add a Brightline station directly within Fort Pierce, leaving residents to ponder if modernity will ever truly arrive at their platform.

Notable people

Zora Neale Hurston's house

Fort Pierce has, like any place, been graced by the presence of individuals who, for various reasons, have managed to carve out a name for themselves. Some of these notable figures include:

Arts and entertainment

Ricou Browning, a man of many talents, known for his stunt work, filmmaking, and acting, particularly as the iconic Gill-man in Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Michael P. Nash, a filmmaker who brought his visions to the screen.
Lisa Janti, an actress who graced the stage and screen.
A. E. Backus, a painter whose vibrant Florida landscapes captured the essence of the region [54].
Zora Neale Hurston, a towering figure in American literature, an influential writer, anthropologist, and folklorist whose intellect and prose continue to resonate. Her presence alone elevates the cultural cachet of Fort Pierce.
Lori McNamara, another painter contributing to the artistic tapestry of the area [55].
Ted Hewitt, a country music producer, shaping the sounds of a specific genre.
Gary Stewart, a country singer known for his distinctive voice.

Politics

Alto L. Adams, who ascended to the esteemed position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida.
James E. Alderman, another individual who served as Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court, ensuring the wheels of justice, however slowly, turned.
Brian Mast, a U.S. Representative who has navigated the labyrinthine halls of Washington [56].
Daniel T. McCarty, the 31st Governor of Florida [57], who held the reins of state power for a time.
Allen R. Sturtevant, an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, proving that influence can extend far beyond Florida's borders [58].

Sports

The competitive spirit has been embodied by numerous athletes from Fort Pierce:

Jeff Blackshear, an NFL guard who anchored offensive lines [59].
Jamar Chaney, an NFL linebacker who tackled challenges on the field [60].
Yamon Figurs, an NFL and CFL wide receiver, known for his speed and agility [61].
Charles Johnson, an MLB catcher who commanded the diamond [62].
Ladislav Karabin, a Slovak ice hockey player, bringing international talent to the list.
Khalil Mack, an NFL linebacker, a formidable presence in professional football.
Terry McGriff, another MLB catcher who made his mark in baseball [63].
Ryan McNeil, an NFL defensive back known for his prowess in the secondary [64].
Wonder Monds, an NFL defensive back, whose name alone suggests a certain mystique [65].
Luther Robinson, an NFL defensive end, a force on the defensive line [66].
Larry Sanders, an NBA player, who soared on the basketball court [67].
Jeff Schwarz, an MLB pitcher who toiled on the mound [68].
Herbert Strong, a distinguished golfer and golf course architect, shaping both the game and its landscapes [69].
LaDaris Vann, a CFL player, showcasing talent in Canadian football.

Other

And then there are those whose stories defy easy categorization, yet still left an indelible mark:

Kimberly Bergalis, tragically known as the victim of the first documented case of clinical transmission of HIV from a healthcare provider, a somber chapter in medical history.
Edwin Binney, the co-founder of Crayola Crayons [70], who brought color into countless childhoods, a rather delightful legacy.
Roslyn M. Brock, who served as Chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a significant voice in the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
Louise Gopher, celebrated as the first Seminole woman to earn a bachelor's degree [71], a trailblazer for her community.
John Houghtaling, an entrepreneur and inventor [72], whose ingenuity brought forth the "Magic Fingers" vibrating bed, a rather peculiar, yet enduring, contribution to comfort.
CeeCee Lyles, a flight attendant on United Airlines Flight 93 [73], whose bravery and sacrifice became a somber part of a national tragedy.

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