Vero Beach teeters constantly on the edge between a love of its historic past and its desire to move forward into a more cosmopolitan present, but it is often the preserved glimpses of the town’s simple, earlier lifestyle that continue to delight residents. Landmarks such as the Jungle Trail, a byway of the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Highway, and a favorite with cyclists, hikers and nature lovers; offering them a nostalgic look at old Florida.
Spanning communities from Indian River Shores to Windsor, the Jungle Trail winds its way through an eclectic mix of long-standing riverfront residences and new luxury homes and condominiums. Bike riders and pedestrians courteously share the shady road with vehicles slowly making their way along the shoreline and through the backyards of mansions. Although much of the lagoon is obscured by mangroves and private docking areas, there are still a few spots to glimpse the sparkling water and launch a kayak.
Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the eight-mile long, hard-packed sand road begins at Old Winter Beach Road and runs across State Road 510 and up through the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. There are two historic areas of interest along the southern portion of Jungle Trail – the Captain Forster Hammock Preserve and the Jones Pier Conservation Area.
The Captain Forster Hammock Preserve, owned and managed by the county, contains one of the largest remaining coastal maritime hammocks on Orchid Island. The main site offers parking – a bonus as parking is restricted along the narrow road – bike racks, restrooms and a water fountain; the only drinking water available until Pelican Island. There is even a pet water station for four-legged joggers.
Visitors may wander through 110 acres of nature trails which offer great birding opportunities at seasonal ponds. Dogs must be kept on leashes, as the area is home to bobcats and a variety of other wildlife. There is even oceanfront access – a 10-minute hike across A1A near Sea Oaks. Walkers should wear proper footwear as trails are uneven in places, and can be muddy during rainy periods.
An early pioneer, Captain Frank Forster homesteaded the land, around today’s Wabasso Bridge, where he grew cabbage, beans and guava. His property was home to the one-room Orchid School, and he also established a post office, calling it Orchid and serving as its first postmaster in 1887.
Forster helped populate the area by selling off parcels of his land, including to the Michael family, which developed a large citrus business. As a reward for helping Henry Flagler obtain rights of way through the area for his train line, Forster was given a contract to provide fruits and vegetables for the dining cars.
A log cabin, once used as an office by the late John J. Morrison when it sat alongside his John’s Island home, was moved to the preserve after his death.
“In 2000, the family of John J. Morrison donated the historic cypress log cottage to the county that was relocated to the Preserve nearby to the public access area off Jungle Trail,” explains Roland Deblois, Indian River County Chief of Environmental Planning and Code Enforcement. “The cottage is currently not in usable condition for public access. The county’s future plans are to restore the cottage for use for displays or periodically as a meeting room.”
More than a century ago Jones Pier was a well-known stopping point for visitors to load up on Orchid Island citrus and for fishermen to get ice or share stories on the day’s catch with settler Seaborn Jones, who homesteaded an original 160 acres. The Jones family and neighbors were responsible for building the Orchid Narrows Road, today’s Jungle Trail, to transport their crops. Under grandson Richard Milton Jones, the pier and fruit stand continued to thrive. He he was equally famous for sharing stories with all who stopped by.
Residents say Jones would hold court, wife Mary beside him on their front-yard swing, entertaining friends and visitors – one of his most famous was Walter Cronkite – with fascinating details of the many interesting people who lived and traveled the river.
In 2008 Jones agreed to allow the county, through its Environmental Lands Program, to purchase his 16.5-acre property and dock for conservation and historic preservation. The county received a 45 percent cost-share grant from the Florida Communities Trust toward the $6.75 million cost, and Jones was allowed to live in the house as caretaker until he passed in March 2011.
Structures on the property include the main house with detached garage, guest cottage, single-family dock and multi-slip dock facility. The home and garage serve as the residence of the caretaker, a licensed Sheriff’s deputy. The main pier and small dock have been restored, but currently the only public access is to the small dock. Plans are underway to open the small cottage as a historical visitor’s center, restore the fruit stand, and eventually construct a walking trail on the eastern portion of the property.
Longtime resident Gary Donlin and others in the neighborhood fondly remember their affable friend Jones. He constructed the cute dog watering station for Jones, who frequently had visitors stop by asking for some water for their dogs. The friends are hoping the county will take them up on their offer to renovate the little fruit stand back to its original glory days.
“I’m a retired builder and I keep myself busy puttering around by building things around the neighborhood,” said Donlin.
“The historic aspect of the Jones Pier around the turn of the century as a notable destination on the river for the wealthy northerners, who looked forward to stopping for fresh citrus and vegetables, is what fascinates me the most,” said Indian River Shores Town Clerk Laura Aldrich. “It is simply a beautiful location, and one of the most peaceful places I’ve seen either from Jungle Trail or from my kayak. It can take you back by imagination to a time long ago, when things weren’t so easy or luxurious here.”
The northernmost part of the Jungle Trail provides access to the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. It was founded through executive order by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 as the first wildlife refuge in the nation, and was tended to by the country’s first wildlife warden, Paul Kroegel. The original five-acre bird refuge, established to protect and preserve the thousands of local birds being slaughtered in the name of fashion, has since expanded to encompass more than 5,000 acres of mangrove islands, submerged lands, and an amazingly diverse wildlife habitat.
The Refuge, a stunning jewel with extraordinary views of wetlands and birding areas, offers picnic areas, restrooms, paved and more rugged trails, and boardwalk observation areas. Public docks for kayaks and small boats are also located in the refuge.
Visit www.ircgov.com for more information on these and other county recreation areas.
