Historic East Stuart Home Recognized by Main Street Program
Home of Mrs. Ruby Bell Featured in Organization's Logo
STUART, FL - October 27, 2009 - East Stuart Main Street today recognized the home of Mrs. Ruby Bell as architecturally and historically significant to the community. The home, located at the entrance to East Stuart at 304 Martin Luther King Boulevard, was built in the 1920's by the Murray Family, early Martin County educators. East Stuart Main Street features a rendering of the home in its logo. Members of the 94-year-old Mrs. Bell's family, including four of her sons, gathered with representatives of the East Stuart Main Street board and a handful of local history enthusiasts for a brief ceremony at the home. East Stuart Main Street Board President Philip Harvey presented Mrs. Bell with a framed version of the rendering along with flowers and a certificate of appreciation. The presentation was part of a month-long celebration of historic preservation throughout Martin County.
The Bell home was built around the time brothers Robert G. and Charles E. Murray opened Murray's Colored Funeral Home in East Stuart in the 1920s. Both brothers later served as principals in the Martin County school system and Murray Middle School was named for the Murray family. The Murrays sold the home to the Bell family in the 1970s and it has been in the Bell family since.
In addition to being a part of East Stuart history, the Bell home also exemplifies the unpretentiousness of early Florida vernacular architecture combining features of both the Cracker and Caribbean styles. The wood frame, elevated first floor, front porch, and metal roof are all typical of the Bahamian-influenced style which is common throughout East Stuart. Architect Nelo Freijomel created the rendering based on careful measurements of the home as it exists today.
East Stuart Main Street is a private, non-profit organization established to take the lead in the redevelopment and preservation of the historic commercial neighborhood of East Stuart. The program is authorized by Florida Main Street. Goals of the organization include creating a positive image for the community through outreach, education, special events, and economic development. For more information or to become a member please call 772-600-1248 or 772-485-956