The History
of John's Island
The more things change, the more they stay the same. So it is at John's Island, where the original mission of creating a private, family-oriented community for those with discerning tastes, continues to evolve. Today, John's Island is a 1,650-acre (3,200 acres including wetlands), barrier island masterpiece situated within the quaint town of Indian River Shores in Vero Beach. Homes have been strategically placed to preserve old oak trees. A rare and cherished three miles of private beach access and over nine miles of Intracoastal Waterway exposure make John's Island a playground in paradise. Careful preservation of the pristine natural surroundings ensures this paradise will be as breathtaking in the future as it is today.
1715 – Survivors of the Spanish Plate Fleet set up a salvage camp on what is now the northern boundary of John’s Island.
1844 – John’s Island was first surveyed to have a record available to describe the land that might be acquired under the Armed Occupation Act of 1842.
1872 – The first pioneer to settle on John’s Island was Allen Estes.
1880 – A farmer named John La Roche arrived on John’s Island. He selected the island because of farming, and it represented the shortest row to the mainland, and eventually the railroad. He settled on a 300-acre island on the Indian River, known toady as “The Island of John’s Island”. This island was the original John’s Island named after John La Roche.
1889 – On June 21, John La Roche filed homestead papers for 138.5 acres on John’s Island. Apparently he was not only a farmer, but an imaginative real estate man. He sold lots at $25 an acre.
1890 – A detailed survey was made of John La Roche’s property in March by R.B. Burchfield. The name John’s Island was first used.
1891 – Brothers, William and Calvin Reams, arrived to John’s Island as one of the earliest settlers. They were among 12 to 15 families that settled in John’s Island. Calvin gave land for the two churches and singing school. Calvin’s son remained in John’s Island for 27 years.
1892 – On September 25, a post office was established on John’s Island. It was called Reams.
1900s – The small community founded by John La Roche prospered with some 200 residents, a Missionary Baptist and Primitive Baptist church, and a school known for its singing, taught by Felix Poppell.
1925 – Residents deserted the 300-acre island and moved to the mainland due to the advent of the railroad and opportunity for employment other than farming beans. The general economic depression of 1929 terminated any planning of luxury development during the Florida boom, and the area reverted to its natural jungle state. The old cemetery still exists where the original settlers are buried.
1953 – The town of Indian River Shores was created on June 15, House Bill No. 1691. John’s Island’s principal architect, James E. Gibson, designed the municipality’s Town Hall.
Fred R. Tuerk, onetime Chicago broker and president of the Chicago Stock Exchange, acquired the island and, parcel by parcel, assembled the 3000 surrounding acres of land. Tuerk specified that it be sold only to a man “with respect for the land and the ecology”.
1958 – A1A was built from Beachland Boulevard to just one-half mile north of Wabasso Road.
1967 – Fred R. Tuerk died in February without seeing his dream fulfilled.
1969 – Tuerk’s heirs, cognizant of his love for the property, sought to find a purchaser for the 3000-acre estate. The buyer they were seeking would respect the environment and its natural beauty. The man they found was E. Llwyd Ecclestone, Sr. He had demonstrated a profound commitment over ten years prior, when he founded and developed Lost Tree Village in North Palm Beach, FL.
March 28, 1969, Mr. Ecclestone, at age 67, undertook a long-term plan for the development of a unique and private, residential family Club community that would fully preserve the beauty of the land and the legacy of the past – John’s Island.
Ground was broken in March of 1969, and the first round of golf was played on the South Course, in December of that year. The South Course was designed by Pete Dye in consultation with Jack Nicklaus. At that time it was called “The Bayou”. Construction began shortly thereafter with the Administration Building and Golf Clubhouse. Town Island Builders was the only builder at that time. Mr. Ecclestone’s son-in-law, Mr. Roy Chapin III, was the General Manager of the property. A very young and active sales force was formed and was the core of the John’s Island development.
May 16, 1969, the official “Ground Breaking” ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. One of the first golf cottage owners was Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boden at 163 Silver Moss Drive. One of the first homeowners was Mr. and Mrs. William Kolb at 280 John’s Island Drive.
1970 – The original Golf Clubhouse was built. It was designed by the noted James E. Gibson, AIA; one of the country’s leading classical, Georgian architects. His works include the Henry Ford Centennial Library, The Detroit Institute of Arts, and a number of estates in Gross Pointe and Palm Beach.
1971 – The second 18-hole golf course designed by Pete Dye, called the North Course, begins development. John’s Island is the first Club to offer two 18-hole golf courses in Florida.
1972 – The new Indian River Shores Town Hall was dedicated in December.
1981 – E. Llwyd Ecclestone, Sr. died. Although he did not live to see the culmination of his dream, his spirit is ever present as he rests in the old cemetery at John’s Island.
His daughters, Helen Ecclestone Stone and Jane E. Chapin, took over and fulfilled the dreams of John La Roche, Fred Tuerk and their father, in a way no one could have envisioned. Later, Helen Ecclestone Stone took the reins and developed Gem Island, a 79-acre island within John’s Island in 1989.
1982 – In December, 17 months after E. Llwyd Ecclestone’s passing, permits were granted and John’s Island was released for purchase.
1986 – January 1st, John’s Island Club was organized and purchased by the membership from Lost Tree Village. Later in December, Mrs. Jane Chapin sold her interest in John’s Island to her sister, Mrs. Helen Ecclestone Stone, who became the sole owner and developer through Lost Tree Village and John’s Island Real Estate Company.
1987 – The West Clubhouse and the third, 18-hole championship golf course are complete. Located within a six-mile drive of the community on over 300-acres, the West Course was designed by Tom Fazio. Another successful project for Mrs. Helen Eccelstone Stone.
1989 – The opening of Gem Island, the last developed area in John’s Island. The 79-acre island offers prime riverfront estates and homesites.
1994 – Demolition of the first Golf Clubhouse begins.
1995 – The newly designed Golf Clubhouse is complete.
1999 – October 29, Lost Tree Village sold John’s Island Real Estate Company to current owner, Bob Gibb.
2004 – The West Course received certification in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses. It is also ranked amongst the most challenging in the nation. There are no homes or man-made berming.
2006 – The Club’s world-class North American Doubles, air-conditioned squash court was built.
2007 – Demolition begins on the original Beach Club. Two croquet courts were built at the West Course, off campus. They meet the standards of the U.S. Croquet Association.
2008 - Present – Completion of the new, world-class Beach Club. The opening gala party is set for November 8th to kick-off the new season.
E. Llwyd Ecclestone,
Founder
Beautifully created in harmony with its history and the dream of its namesake John LaRoche.