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.