There was a great deal going on behind the scenes when the Stuart Welcome Arch was built in 1926 with great haste. The real estate boom that caused the creation of Martin County also caused local communities to puff up their egos, incorporate and expand their boundaries.

During the boom, the boundaries of the incorporated cities of Stuart and Jensen met each other as shown on the “Three Cities Map.”

The Three Cities Map was printed in the South Florida Developer as part of an advertisement for St. Lucie Estates. Some of the men who were developing St. Lucie Estates were also the men who pursued the creation of Martin County and were promoting the establishment of a deep water commercial port.

Lyons. Atkins & Innes were exclusive sales agents for St. Lucie Estates, subdivided in phases in differed numbered sections on what was once the pineapple fields of Stuart pioneer Carroll Duncombe. The Lyons in the name was Harry Lyons, the father of beloved Stuart News editor Ernest F. Lyons.

Harry Lyons, a self-educated former journeyman printer turned real estate salesman, was constantly submitting articles, letters and advertisements to newspapers. He promoted the formation of Martin County as well as the building of the Welcome Arch. He knew it paid to advertise and worked closely with Edwin A. Menninger..

Harry Lyons worked with Edwin Menninger owner of the South Florida Developer to publish a tabloid size booklet memorializing the celebration.https//www.martindigitalhistory.org

A copy of the booklet has been preserved and can be viewed on Martin Digital History. You can find it by entering “birthday” to search items.