Hotels at the Tip of Sewall’s Point along the Indian River Lagoon?

This aerial photograph is from Sandra Henderson Thurlow's  book, "Sewall's Point, the History of a  Peninsular  Community on Florida's Treasure Coast." The photo was taken by Dillon-Reynolds Aerial Photography in 1968, ten years after the "bridges to the sea" were built for transportation and development.
This aerial photograph is from Sandra Henderson Thurlow’s book, “Sewall’s Point, the History of a Peninsular Community on Florida’s Treasure Coast.” The photo was taken by Dillon-Reynolds Aerial Photography in 1968, ten years after the “bridges to the sea” were built to aid in  transportation and development of the area.

Imagine yourself a developer in Florida’s early days along the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon.  Land is cheap, people are coming, you can dredge and fill, you can create a marina, or bulkhead spoil islands filling and building on top of them, you can cut canals into the land creating more waterfront, and while you are smoking your cigar, you see the peninsula of Sewall’s Point. “Location! Magnificent! A perfect place for a series of hotels right at the tip of the lush pennisula surrounded by water…this would be, simply marvelous!” “Chi-$-Ching!”

Believe it or not, in 1957-1970  that scenario was very much the fate of the Sewall’s Point and the two islands off its tip. The 1957 zoning map, the year the town was incorporated, designated High Point, and the two islands at the southern tip of the peninsula as a “Business-2 Zoning District.”  This zoning designation permitted “hotels with not less than 25 rooms, clubs, multiple apartments, and municipal buildings.” (Historic legal documents referenced in Sewall’ s Point, Sandra  Henderson Thurlow).

Sewall's Point zoning map  1957.
Sewall’s Point zoning map 1957 shows the tip of High Point and two islands zoned for “business.” (Map, Sewall’s Point, Sandra Henderson Thurlow)

So why did not this developer’s dream come true?

“In 1970, a proposal to build multi-family dwellings on Sewall’s Point fell through when the members of the High Point Homeowners Association, working through the town government, defeated the the plan of Bessemer Properties.” (Thurlow)  This was a feat, in that Bessemer was controlled by the Phipps family with wealth from steel manufacturing; they were very powerful.

In 1970, after the confrontation, the town’s zoning map was changed to permit only R-1 residential zoning.

So, if you ever feel discouraged about the state of the Indian River Lagoon or other things,  think of the story of Sewall’s Point, and remember, a small group of determined people can certainly change their world!

 

Aerial of Sewall' Point, 1960 by Dillon-Reynolds Photography, showing new roads in Bessemer's High Point.
Aerial of Sewall’ Point, 1960 by Dillon-Reynolds Photography, showing new roads in Bessemer’s High Point sub-division.

 

 

 

1 thought on “Hotels at the Tip of Sewall’s Point along the Indian River Lagoon?

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    Cale Mccardell, Jenny Thurlow Flaugh, Scott Trevisan and 24 others like this.

    James Hill
    James Hill’s photo.
    13 hours ago · Like · 6

    Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch WOW! cool! what a contrast! thank you! James Hill
    13 hours ago · Edited · Like · 4

    Thomas Campenni The more things change teh more they stay the same….Northpoint anyone
    13 hours ago · Unlike · 1

    James Hill No prob. I tried to line it up the best I could. I think it is kind of interesting to look at not just what has changed, but what hasn’t changed.
    12 hours ago · Unlike · 2

    Michelle-Tom Roberts Interesting and inspirational. And James Hill the additional picture of amazing too!
    12 hours ago · Unlike · 1

    Stephen G. Leighton That cleared lot on the tip looks familiar…
    11 hours ago · Unlike · 2

    Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch Your grandmother is the coolest! Stephen G. Leighton
    11 hours ago · Like · 1

    Pat Channing Love these history lessons! Keep them coming Jacqui!
    6 hours ago · Unlike · 1

    Scott Trevisan I grew up there. I used to explore Mandalay island before it was built on. It was my own little deserted island in my back yard.
    3 hours ago · Unlike · 2
    Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch Like · · @_thurlow on Twitter · Share
    Pat Channing, Cristina Maldonado and 2 others like this.

    Heather Woodruff Arbucci I really love when you post things like this!
    10 hours ago · Like · 1

    Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch thank you I need your guidance! I will do more mixed with other stuff! THx Heather Woodruff Arbucci

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