From: Beverly Pitchford Miller, Kathy Pitchford Hines, Betty Pitchford Merrill & Alan "Jay" Pitchford
Dear Neighbors,
Pitchford’s Landing will be a historic landmark on the property that the pioneer family of J.J. Pitchford established in the 1890’s. Beautiful villas and homes with unsurpassed views of the Indian River and the Jensen Beach Causeway will be constructed on the site of the old Pitchford Campground and restaurant. Pitchford’s was, in the early years of Jensen history, the first stop for travelers to Miami and South Florida.
Our grandparents, Joseph Jones "J.J." and Kate Wemyss Pitchford, raised their six sons and lived an idyllic pioneer life farming on Hutchinson Island, raising pineapples on Sugar Hill, commercial fishing, acquiring real estate, and owning and operating a variety of businesses. It is recorded in the history of Martin County that J.J. Pitchford served as one of the first Mayors of Jensen Beach. The construction of the first “old wooden bridge” joining Hutchinson Island to Jensen was a civic project the Pitchford’s played an important part in bringing to fruition.
