Fort Pierce is among the oldest communities on the east coast of Florida with its rich history beginning in 1837 when Lt. Benjamin K. Pierce built the fort that was the headquarters for the U.S. Army during the Seminole Indian War. After the war Fort Pierce, its accessible waterways and later Flagler’s railway gave rise to commerce that would make the city the economic hub of the Treasure Coast with fishing, canning of fish, pineapple and citrus. Today that transportation network includes the Florida Turnpike, Interstate 95, the St. Lucie County International Airport and the Port of Fort Pierce.

This historic waterfront community has evolved to become a national model as a “Main Street City” and has taken bold steps toward revitalization, and planned urban development while maintaining its “Old Florida” seaside village appeal. This wonderful, tropical, peaceful quality of life is still close enough to major metropolitan areas like Palm Beach and Orlando to enjoy a fun day-trip.

The roaring tides of the Atlantic Ocean provide some of the best competitive surfing on the eastern seaboard while the offshore waterways, the Indian River Lagoon and the St, Lucie River offer superior fishing and opportunities for all water sports. Horseback riding on the beaches is just one of the many exceptional highlights of recreational delights available.

With some 40,000 residents, Fort Pierce encompasses over 20 miles with enlightened communities that want to preserve the rich heritage while planning its future. The architecture is a wonderful blend of Mediterranean and Florida Cracker vernaculars. Historic Preservation of its architecture is as important to its citizens as cultural diversity with the Historic Sunrise Theatre of the Performing Arts and local organizations hosting opera, jazz, country, blues, professional and community theatre and a multitude of festivals and celebrations throughout the year.

Welcome to St. Lucie County

Ongoing activities in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce include Friday Fest, the first Friday of each month, Bike Nite on Thursdays, Farmer’s Market, and Art Show on Saturdays and Jazz Jams on Thursdays. Annual celebrations include the Martin Luther King Festival in January, Mardi Gras Carnival in February, Backus Festival in March, Sandy Shoes Festival in April, Sights & Sounds on Second Street in December and a multitude of annual fishing and golf tournaments.

Fort Pierce is home to numerous modern educational and research facilities, like top-ranked Indian River Community College, the $6 million Smithsonian Institute Marine Station, the Manatee Observation and Education Center and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and the St. Lucie County Historical Museum. The St. Lucie County International Airport has seen significant changes over the years including Customs Services and opportunities for international travel. Several flight training schools are located here as well as other flight related businesses.

The Fort Pierce City Marina is notably one of the finest in Florida. Located on the beautiful Indian River in downtown Fort Pierce, the marina offers boaters all the amenities of a small village with close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean through the Fort Pierce Inlet and only a short distance to the Bahamas.

Culture abounds in Fort Pierce as the epicenter of the Treasure Coast and home to the Historic Sunrise Theatre of the Performing Arts, the largest facility of its caliber between Melbourne and Palm Beach. The Sunrise is home to the Treasure Coast Opera Society and the Treasure Coast Symphony and hosts a diverse calendar of concerts, plays, lectures and other performances.