Exciting things are popping up all over at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum. Over the past three years, efforts have been underway to provide top quality interpretive history exhibits on the unique grounds, including historical aspects of native plant communities and the earliest known residents...the Hobe Indians, Seminoles and early pioneer families.
The George Washington Tindall Pioneer Homestead exhibit is fast approaching completion and will be opening October 25 th to the public for the first time. Thanks to the diligent fundraising efforts of the Loxahatchee Guild over that past several years, the 1892 Tindall Home is now perfectly situated overlooking the Jupiter Inlet and with a replica kitchen, breezeway and porch attached. Guild Committee Chair, Leslie Cook is extremely proud that one of the oldest homes in Palm Beach County has been saved, restored and relocated to the site. The Guild and LRHS are looking forward to the wonderful educational opportunities that the Homestead will afford area school children and visitors from all over the world. The Loxahatchee Guild, fundraising arm of the LRHS, has been working feverishly towards the completion, with the unswerving construction help of pioneer, Skip Gladwin and the generous assistance of the Jupiter-Tequesta Garden Club. The Garden Club has planted heritage citrus trees, native shrubs and pineapple patches around the home, regularly tending to the gardens on a volunteer basis.
Tropical gardens between the homestead and the river now enhance the visitor's tour of the lighthouse and adjoining grounds. From a historical perspective, it was the intent of staff, volunteers and consultants to create an area that would represent the native vegetation that was originally found in this area. These plantings, located between the museum and lighthouse now replicate a tropical hammock. Cotleur & Hearing drafted plans for the exhibit area and Dr. Donald Richardson of Ecological Consultants, Inc. and Richard Roberts, Biologist, Florida Park Service (retired) helped in the planning and selection of the vegetation for the project. Mr. Art Scrogin of Bermuda Landscape and Design, Inc. provided the plant material and manpower to implement this natural setting. In all, 745 potted plants were utilized, along with one 20 foot oak. Most of the work was funded by local donations of time and monies, such as the Friends of Sue Snyder, as well as Bureau of Land Management grants to the Loxahatchee River Historical Society.
The Pennock Plantation Bell is firmly ensconced in its new four-post wooden replica tower along the brick pathway leading to the lighthouse. Jupiter's earliest public time piece was rung at noon and the end of the work day at 5pm. But the bell also served as the community's first fire alarm. The restoration and relocation project was adopted by pioneer son, Jud Laird and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Station 16. Ray Swanson, Assistant Lighthouse Keeper descendant, operating a sawmill at Riverbend Park used an old photo from the plantation to cut wood for a new four-posted bell tower and fern shed for the Tindall Pioneer Homestead. With muscle power and a good crane operator the bell was moved to its new home on the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse grounds in June, 2009.
The Tindall house once stood on the Pennock Plantation with its famous bell. One hundred years later they are together again along the waterfront under the beam of the lighthouse, giving visitors a glimpse into Jupiter's romantic early years.