Jensen Beach

Jensen Beach is a part of the Treasure Coast. It is located on the Atlantic Coast south central Florida.

The Treasure Coast derives its name from the ships that wrecked during the 17th century because of coral reefs in the shallow waters. Artifacts and treasures from these ships of Spanish origin can still be discovered today.

Jensen Beach is named for John Laurence Jensen.

The Skyline Drive area is among the highest points in South Florida.

Historic landmarks in Jensen Beach include:

All Saints Episcopal Church erected in 1898 is the oldest church building in Jensen Beach as well as in Martin County. Adjacent to the church is All Saints Cemetery which is non-sectarian and serves the whole community.
Capt. John Miller House (private) on Indian River Drive in Eden, built by an early settler in the late 1890s
Capt. Henry E. Sewall House, now located in Indian RiverSide Park

The Mansion at Tuckahoe in IndianRiverside Park
Mount Elizabeth Archeological Site in IndianRiverside Park
Stuart Welcome Arch, on State Road 707, N.E. Dixie Highway

History

The history of Jensen Beach in the 19th century revolved around pineapple farming. John Laurence Jensen, an immigrant from Denmark, arrived in 1881. He then set up his pineapple plantation, which became the town of Jensen. By 1894, the Florida East Coast Railway reached Jensen Beach. Freight shipments were loaded directly onto the freight cars.

Jensen was called the “Pineapple Capital of the World.” One million boxes of pineapples was shipped each year during the June and July. A pineapple factory was built. A hard freeze in 1895 devastated most of the small pineapple plantations. Two fires, in 1908 and 1910, destroyed most of Jensen Beach and its remaining pineapple farms. The industry finally collapsed in 1920 due to a wide variety of financial and agriculture problems. Growers decided to turn their efforts in another direction: raising citrus. The pineapple has become a symbol. The Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival celebrates the fruit legacy.

Jensen Beach was hit by two hurricanes in 2004. On September 5, 2004, Hurricane Frances made landfall at Hutchinson Island with winds of 105 mph. On September 25, 2004, Hurricane Jeanne made landfall on Hutchinson Island with winds of 120 mph. Literally one right after the other. In the same spot.