Did you know that the vast majority of historic sites and districts
identified in the County Register of Historic Places is located in
Northern Palm Beach County, with several sites within and around DuBois
Park in Jupiter? This is part of the Jupiter Inlet Historic and
Archaeological Site, listed in the National and County Registers of
Historic Places.
DuBois is one of the most studied Native American sites in Florida.
Discoveries of artifacts, including prehistoric, fire-tempered pottery,
and stone spearheads and knives trace to civilizations 6,000 years old.
Think of that: people were living in Jupiter more than 2,000 years before
construction of the great pyramids of Egypt.
Recently, I visited a dig at the Pineapple House on land adjacent to the
historic DuBois Pioneer Homestead. Built in the 1880’s, by Jupiter pioneer
Harry DuBois who farmed pineapples on a plot of land near present day US1,
the house was either floated down the Loxahatchee River or dragged by oxen
to what is now DuBois Park. He and his bride lived in the house while the
main Pioneer Home was constructed.
The Pineapple House, now under renovation, had deteriorated from salt rot
and bug damage. Parks & Recreation moved it several feet out of a FEMA
flood zone to ensure that if it sustained damage from a storm, federal
assistance would be available to rebuild it.
A team led by the Palm Beach County Archaeologist Chris Davenport and
including anthropology interns from Florida Atlantic University and
resident volunteers is excavating materials from a footer approximately
three feet deep at the former site of the house. Material is carefully
unearthed and filtered through water screens, revealing fragments of
prehistoric pottery, fish bones and shells.
During my visit, several pieces of St. Johns Check Stamped pottery were
uncovered. This pottery, made from a process involving clay and fiber,
dates back to 900 A.D. An additional discovery was made of a section of
vertebrae from a goliath grouper likely weighing 600-800 pounds.
Palm Beach County’s Comprehensive Plan recognizes that historic
preservation enhances the quality of life of Floridians through economic
and cultural contributions to an improved sense of place. By taking a
balanced approach, we strive to preserve the legacy of the past with the
overall economic well-being of the County.
The Planning Division, Historic Preservation/Archaeology Section led by
Davenport is responsible for identifying, protecting, and promoting
cultural resources (archaeological and historic structures), throughout
unincorporated Palm Beach County. Davenport, who developed a passion for
his field at seven years old, coordinates and advises local governments
and other organizations regarding cultural resource management issues, and
serves as the staff liaison to the County’s Historic Resource Review
Board. The archaeology section has an education component consisting of
public outreach events and the internship program, which has provided
hands-on experience for more than 100 interns.
The Historic Resource Review Board oversees processes to designate
significant historic sites and structures and to ensure that approved
development projects identify and protect historic and archaeological
resources. They also assist in education efforts.
Docent-guided tours are provided free of charge at DuBois on Wednesdays
and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call the Parks and Recreation
Department at (561) 966-6609 for further details.
As always, if I can assist you, please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by
email at mmarino@pbcgov.org.