Stuart, Florida

In the 18th century, several Spanish galleons were shipwrecked in the Martin County area of Florida's Treasure Coast. The multiple wrecks were reportedly the result of a hurricane, and the ships were carrying unknown quantities of gold and silver. Some of this treasure has since been recovered, and its presence resulted in the region's name. File:Dudley - Bessey House, Stuart, Florida 002.JPG on SW Atlanta Avenue is now a yacht brokerage office|216x216px]]In 1832, pirate Pedro Gilbert, who often used a sandbar off the coast as a lure to unsuspecting prey, chased and caught the Mexican, a U.S. merchant ship. Although he attempted to burn the ship and kill the crew, they survived to report the incident, ultimately resulting in the capture and execution of Gilbert and his crew. The bar from which he lured his intended booty is named "Gilbert's Bar" on nautical charts.{{cite news | first=Larry | last=Johnson | title=column:Always Learning| publisher=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 1D | date=May 13, 2009 }}{{rp|1}}

File:OldMartinCountyFlaCourthouse 012.JPG, built in 1937, now the Courthouse Cultural Center|214x214px]]

The Treasure Coast area that became Stuart was first settled by non-Native Americans in 1870. In 1875, a United States Lifesaving Station was established on Hutchinson Island, near Stuart. Today, the station is known as Gilbert's Bar House of Refuge and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

From 1893 to 1895, the area was called Potsdam. This name was chosen by Otto Stypmann, a local landowner originally

from Potsdam, Germany. Stypmann, with his brother Ernest, owned the land that would become downtown Stuart. Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway connected the area to Daytona Beach in 1892 and Miami in 1896.

Potsdam was renamed Stuart in 1895, in honor of Homer Hine (Jack) Stuart Jr., a local landowner who owned 160 acres around the railway station.{{cite report |title=Historic Properties Survey of the City of Stuart Florida |url=https://cityofstuart.us/DocumentCenter/View/1330/1991-Survey-of-Historic-Properties-PDF |access-date=January 15, 2021 |publisher=Historic Property Associates Inc. |date=April 1991 |page= |format=PDF |location=Stuart, Florida}}{{rp|7}} Rue, Luckhardt, Krueger, Crary, and Armellinis were some of the prominent settler families.{{cite magazine |title=Early Pioneers |magazine=Historical Society of Martin County |url=https://hsmc-fl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Early-Pioneers.pdf |page= |date=March 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Fontenay |first1=Blake |title=Stuart's Christian Science church has survived hardships in its first 100 years {{!}} Opinion |url=https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/2022/11/07/christian-scientists-plan-celebrate-100-years-stuart-opinion/8265924001/ |access-date=November 7, 2022 |work=TC Palm |date=November 7, 2022}}

When Stuart was incorporated as a town in 1914, it was located in Palm Beach County. In 1925, Stuart was chartered as a city and named the county seat of the newly created Martin County.{{cite web |url=http://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/our_areas_history.asp |title=Our Area's History |access-date=2009-11-11 |publisher=Stuary/Martin County Chamber of Commerce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209040823/http://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/our_areas_history.asp |archive-date=2009-12-09 |url-status=dead }}

The City of Stuart formally adopted the slogan Sailfish Capital of the World in 1957, following pressure from the Stuart Chamber of Commerce,{{Cite web |title=Historical Vignettes tells the story of how Stuart became 'The Sailfish Capital of the World' |url=http://www.tcpalm.com/yournews/martin-county/historical-vignettes-tells-the-story-of-how-stuart-became-the-sailfish-capital-of-the-world-ep-38305-343445792.html |access-date=2022-08-26 |website=www.tcpalm.com |language=en}} owing to the many sailfish found in the ocean off Martin County. The slogan is still used by the city.

From 1871 to 2005, 19 hurricanes passed through Stuart, including Isbell (1964), Frances (2004), Jeanne (2004), and Wilma (2005).{{cite web|url=http://www.hurricanecity.com/city/stuart.htm |title=Stuart,Florida's history with tropical systems |access-date=2009-11-11 |publisher=Hurricane City }}

File:St Lucie River from Stuart Riverwalk in Stuart FL.jpeg

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|8.5|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|6.3|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|2.2|sqmi|km2}} is water.

According to the Köppen climate classification, Stuart has a tropical rainforest climate (Af), with hot, humid summers and warm, drier winters. Stuart has a noticeably seasonal precipitation pattern, with summer being the wettest season and winter being the driest.

Summers feature hot temperatures and frequent thunderstorms. Average highs during summer range from {{convert|88|to|91|F|C}}. On average, there are 81 days of 90+ °F highs annually, with an average annual mean maximum of {{convert|96.4|F|C}}. Late summer brings an increased threat of tropical storms and hurricanes, though landfalls are rare. Several major hurricanes have impacted Stuart since 1900, with Hurricane David in 1979 and hurricanes Frances and Jeanne causing moderate damage to the area in 2004.

Winter brings much cooler and drier air. Average highs during winter range from {{convert|74|to|78|F|C}}, though occasional strong cold fronts bring brief rainfall followed by cooler temperatures, with highs in the 50s °F for a few days each winter. Most winters are frost-free, with an annual mean minimum temperature of {{convert|37.6|F|C}}.

{{Weather box

|location = Stuart, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1936–present

|single line = Y

| Jan high F = 74.2

| Feb high F = 76.2

| Mar high F = 78.4

| Apr high F = 82.3

| May high F = 85.7

| Jun high F = 89.2

| Jul high F = 90.9

| Aug high F = 90.6

| Sep high F = 88.8

| Oct high F = 85.1

| Nov high F = 79.7

| Dec high F = 76.1

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 64.9

|Feb mean F = 67.4

|Mar mean F = 69.9

|Apr mean F = 74.4

|May mean F = 78.2

|Jun mean F = 81.8

|Jul mean F = 83.2

|Aug mean F = 83.2

|Sep mean F = 82.0

|Oct mean F = 78.4

|Nov mean F = 72.4

|Dec mean F = 68.1

|year mean F =

| Jan low F = 55.7

| Feb low F = 58.6

| Mar low F = 61.4

| Apr low F = 66.5

| May low F = 70.8

| Jun low F = 74.4

| Jul low F = 75.5

| Aug low F = 75.8

| Sep low F = 75.2

| Oct low F = 71.8

| Nov low F = 65.1

| Dec low F = 60.1

|year low F =

|Jan avg record high F = 84.1

|Feb avg record high F = 85.7

|Mar avg record high F = 87.7

|Apr avg record high F = 89.8

|May avg record high F = 91.7

|Jun avg record high F = 94.4

|Jul avg record high F = 94.8

|Aug avg record high F = 94.3

|Sep avg record high F = 93.6

|Oct avg record high F = 90.3

|Nov avg record high F = 86.7

|Dec avg record high F = 85.3

|year avg record high F = 96.4

|Jan avg record low F = 39.6

|Feb avg record low F = 42.0

|Mar avg record low F = 47.1

|Apr avg record low F = 54.3

|May avg record low F = 63.4

|Jun avg record low F = 69.8

|Jul avg record low F = 71.0

|Aug avg record low F = 71.4

|Sep avg record low F = 70.9

|Oct avg record low F = 60.5

|Nov avg record low F = 50.4

|Dec avg record low F = 44.0

|year avg record low F = 37.6

|Jan record high F = 89

|Feb record high F = 98

|Mar record high F = 93

|Apr record high F = 98

|May record high F = 98

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 105

|Aug record high F = 99

|Sep record high F = 102

|Oct record high F = 97

|Nov record high F = 100

|Dec record high F = 99

|year record high F =

|Jan record low F = 23

|Feb record low F = 28

|Mar record low F = 27

|Apr record low F = 37

|May record low F = 45

|Jun record low F = 55

|Jul record low F = 59

|Aug record low F = 59

|Sep record low F = 58

|Oct record low F = 42

|Nov record low F = 31

|Dec record low F = 26

|year record low F=

| Jan precipitation inch = 3.01

| Feb precipitation inch = 2.61

| Mar precipitation inch = 3.76

| Apr precipitation inch = 3.56

| May precipitation inch = 5.66

| Jun precipitation inch = 7.44

| Jul precipitation inch = 6.08

| Aug precipitation inch = 8.49

| Sep precipitation inch = 8.28

| Oct precipitation inch = 6.46

| Nov precipitation inch = 4.16

| Dec precipitation inch = 3.21

|year precipitation inch =

|precipitation colour = green

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 8.7

| Feb precipitation days = 7.7

| Mar precipitation days = 7.9

| Apr precipitation days = 8.7

| May precipitation days = 10.2

| Jun precipitation days = 14.1

| Jul precipitation days = 14.4

| Aug precipitation days = 16.2

| Sep precipitation days = 15.9

| Oct precipitation days = 13.5

| Nov precipitation days = 10.2

| Dec precipitation days = 10.2

| year precipitation days =

|source 1 = NOAA{{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mlb

| title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| accessdate = May 4, 2021

| archive-date = September 5, 2015

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150905111301/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=mlb

| url-status = dead

}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00088620&format=pdf

| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| accessdate = May 4, 2021

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1920= 778

|1930= 1924

|1940= 2438

|1950= 2912

|1960= 4791

|1970= 4820

|1980= 9467

|1990= 11936

|2000= 14633

|2010= 15593

|2020= 17425

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,425 people, 7,286 households, and 3,776 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2020: Stuart city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Stuart+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 15,593 people, 7,182 households, and 3,470 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES – 2010: Stuart city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Stuart+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=United States Census Bureau}}

In 2010, the median income for a household in the city was $35,954, and the median income for a family was $47,736. Males had a median income of $29,151 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,020.

As of 2010, the cost of living in Stuart is 88, on a relative scale where the U.S. average is represented by 100.{{cite web|url=http://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/ |title=Compare Cost of Living |access-date=2014-06-17 |publisher=Sperling's Best Places }}

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,633 people, 7,220 households, and 3,422 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|2320|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 8,777 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1392|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 83.30% White, 12.33% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.97% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2000, there were 7,220 households out of which 15.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 52.6% are non-families. 46.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 26.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.60.

In 2000, in the city the population was spread out with 14.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 32.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $30,574, and the median income for a family was $40,701. Males had a median income of $29,151 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,139. About 7.8% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2020, there were 17,434 people, 7,852 households, with 2.18 persons per household. The median household income was $61,878. The per capita household income was $41,029. 13.9% of the population was reported to have been living below the poverty line.{{Cite web | url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/stuartcityflorida | title=QuickFacts - Stuart city, Florida | website=www.census.gov}}

Stuart hosts one of the two Florida Department of Health offices in Martin County, the other being in Indiantown.{{cite web|url=http://martin.floridahealth.gov/index.html|title=Florida Department of Health in Martin|website=martin.floridahealth.gov}}

Various businesses cater to tourists, such as fishing charters, boating charters, sailing, cruises, SCUBA and snorkeling, and nature tours.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}

According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web|url=http://cityofstuart.us/images/stories/Finance/CAFR/2011_CAFR.pdf|title=City of StuartCAFR|access-date=2012-11-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202152027/http://www.cityofstuart.us/images/stories/Finance/CAFR/2011_CAFR.pdf|archive-date=2015-02-02}} the top employers in the Stuart area are:

Notable historic properties in downtown in range from the early 1880s to 1940s, representing a mix of Beaux-Arts, colonial revival, Spanish mediterranean, Art Deco, frame vernacular, masonry vernacular architecture styles.{{cite web |last1=Jett |first1=Michele |title=City of Stuart Florida's Historical Buildings Tour |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/b96898614a3c4e149b2e4ef968966614 |website=ArcGIS |publisher=ArcGIS StoryMaps |access-date=January 15, 2021 |language=en |date=April 3, 2020}}{{cite report |title=1991 Survey of Notable Historic Properties |url=https://www.cityofstuart.us/DocumentCenter/View/1332/1991-Survey-of-Notable-Historic-Properties-PDF |access-date=January 15, 2021 |publisher=City of Stuart |date=1991 |page=2 |format=PDF |location=Stuart, Florida}}

File:Stuart Heritage 002.JPG]]

File:Stuart FL Riverwalk03.jpg

• Audubon of Martin County{{Cite web|url=https://gtarestoration.com/blog/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009231706/http://audubonmartincounty.org/directions.html|url-status=dead|title=Restoration Blog | 24-Hours Emergency Cleanup Service.|date=January 2, 2023|archivedate=October 9, 2008}}
• Lyric Theatre
• Stuart Heritage Museum
• Elliott Museum
• Krueger House, a historic house on the National Register of Historic Places{{cite news |last1=Swartz |first1=Sally D. |title=1880s Plantation House Gets New Life |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67652241/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=January 26, 1997 |pages=611, 615 |via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Pat |title=Stuart Mansion Declared Historic Treasure |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67649873/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=February 27, 2002 |pages=B5, 374 |via=Newspapers.com {{open access}}}}
• The Barn Theatre
• Geoffrey C. Smith Galleries
• Tropical Ranch Botanical Garden
• Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
• Environmental Studies Council
• Sailfish Splash Waterpark

Public education in Stuart is administered by the Martin County School District.

File:Roosevelt Bridge and Stuart City.jpg

Witham Field is a public-use airport located one mile southeast of the central business district owned by Martin County.

US 1 passes northwest–southeast through Stuart. The coastal route A1A heads east from Stuart towards Hutchinson Island, and the road heads southeast out of Stuart. SR 76 heads south from the city, and SR 714 heads west from the city.

Local bus service is provided by Martin County Public Transit (MARTY).{{Cite web|url=https://www.martin.fl.us/transit|title=Public Transit Information|date=2019|website=Martin County Florida|access-date=May 15, 2019}} Stuart also operates a free courtesy tram throughout downtown.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofstuart.us/213/TRAM-Routes-Information|title=Tram Routes & Information|date=2024|website=City of Stuart, FL|access-date=September 9, 2024}}

Stuart has a yacht club and several marinas serving private crafts of various sizes.

Until 1968 the Florida East Coast Railway operated Jacksonville to Miami service, with a station stop in Stuart. Until 1963 long-distance passenger trains included the Illinois Central Railroad's City of Miami and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad's South Wind both heading from Chicago; and they included the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad's East Coast Champion, the Havana Special, and the winter-only Florida Special originating from New York.{{cite journal |title=Florida East Coast Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=90 |issue=7 |date=December 1957}}{{cite journal |title=Florida East Coast Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=91 |issue=3 |date=January 1962}}Bramson, Seth H. Speedway to Sunshine: the story of the Florida East Coast Railway, Boston Mills Press, 2010, p. 227. {{ISBN|9781554077533}}.

In 2023, Brightline, an inter-city rail route that currently runs between Miami and Orlando, announced that it was looking for sites for a new station on the Treasure Coast.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2023 |title=BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES PROCESS TO SELECT A TREASURE COAST STATION |url=https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2023/brightline-announces-process-to-select-a-treasure-coast-station |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=www.gobrightline.com |language=en}} On March 4, 2024, Brightline officially announced that an infill station on the Treasure Coast would be built in Stuart.{{Cite web |title=BRIGHTLINE ANNOUNCES STATION EXPANSION FOR DOWNTOWN STUART & MARTIN COUNTY |url=https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2024/brightline-announces-station-expansion-for-downtown-stuart-and-martin-county |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.gobrightline.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Scruggs |first=Danielle |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Brightline makes official announcement on Treasure Coast location |url=https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-brightline-new-treasure-coast-station-stuart/60072416 |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=WPBF |language=en}} The current plan sees the station beginning service by 2028.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=Florida county applies for federal funds for Brightline station |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/florida-county-applies-for-federal-funds-for-brightline-station/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}

Brightline trains cross the St. Lucie River on the Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge.{{cite web|url=https://www.waterwayguide.com/bridge/3-161/florida-east-coast-railroad-bridge-stuart|title=Florida East Coast Railroad Bridge, Stuart|publisher=Waterway Guide|access-date=February 16, 2024}} Close coordination between rail and water traffic is necessary at this bascule bridge.{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Bob|title=Brightline's milestone moment: THE CHOKE POINT|page=18|issue=January 2024|volume=84|url=https://www.trains.com/trn/magazine/archive-access/trains-january-2024/|magazine=Trains|publisher=Kalmbach Media}}

• Dan Bakkedahl, correspondent on The Daily Show
• Paul Bley, jazz pianist
• Cynthia S. Burnett-Haney (1840–1932), educator, lecturer, temperance reformer, newspaper editor; Haney Circle in Stuart was named after her
• Nelson Burton Jr., professional bowler and longtime TV analyst
• Kelly Carrington, Playboy Playmate October 2008
• James Gould Cozzens, Pulitzer Prize-winning author
• Derrill M. Daniel, US Army major general{{cite news |date=3 January 1968 |title=Retired General Heads Martin Red Cross Drive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post-cross/167545092/ |work=The Palm Beach Post |location=Palm Beach, Florida |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=26 July 1986 |title=Obituary, Major General Derrill M. Daniel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pensacola-news-journal-obituary/167545388/ |work=Pensacola News Journal |location=Pensacola, Florida |page=3C |via=Newspapers.com}}
• James Davis, professional football player
• Ralph Evinrude, CEO of Outboard Motor Company with a test facility in Stuart, married Frances Langford and retired to Jensen Beach
• Derek Fathauer, professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour
• Cleveland Gary, professional football player
• Whitney Gaskell, novelist
• Ed Hearn, Major League Baseball player and motivational speaker
• Davy Jones, musician with The Monkees
• Chris Marquette, actor
• John McHale, player and executive in Major League Baseball
• Corey McIntyre, professional football player
• Rusty Meacham, former Major League Baseball player
• Nicole Melichar, professional tennis player
• Vaughn Monroe, big band singer
• Zack Mosley, cartoonist and creator of The Adventures of Smilin' Jack
• Scott Proctor, former Major League Baseball player
• Judge Reinhold, actor
• Kathy Rinaldi, professional tennis player
• Lee Rinker, PGA Tour golfer
• Roger Schank, leading visionary in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and learning theory
• Will Sheehey, professional basketball player
• Bryan Silas, racing driver

In 1973, the movie Little Laura and Big John, a highly fictionalized version of the true story of John Ashley and Laura Upthegrove, was filmed in Stuart.{{cite web|last1=Luckhardt|first1=Alice|last2=Luckhardt|first2=Greg|title=Ashley Gang: Notorious outlaws struck fear in Stuart residents|url=http://www.tcpalm.com/news/ashley-gang-notorious-outlaws-struck-fear-in-stuart-residents-ep-306366647-342310451.html|website=TCPalm|access-date=May 23, 2016|date=October 27, 2013}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Stuart}}

{{Commons category|Stuart, Florida}}

• [http://cityofstuart.us City of Stuart Website]

{{Martin County, Florida}}

{{Port St. Lucie Metropolitan Area}}

{{Florida}}

{{Florida county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Stuart, Florida

Category:Cities in Martin County, Florida

Category:Populated places on the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida

Category:County seats in Florida

Category:Port St. Lucie metropolitan area

Category:Cities in Florida