Tell the owner of Suni Sands site to PRESERVE it's history by selling it at a fair price.
The Issue
Just across the Jupiter Inlet (Jupiter Florida) from the iconic lighthouse lies the old Suni Sands site. It’s historic, cultural and archeological significance is undeniable.
The Celestial Railway ran thru the property and terminated at a wharf on the parcel on the Jupiter Inlet. The Celestial Railway shaped Jupiter’s history and was the responsible for the historic settlement of the Town.
A Midden has been identified on the property. Exploratory test digs were performed on the Midden Site. So far, the following archeological resources have been identified: 7 human teeth and a patella, hundreds of animal bones; lithics and other cultural materials which is evidence of indigenous people living on the Property. Buried articulated shark vertebrae have also been identified, evidencing (per archeologist Bob Carr) a deliberate burial as part of some type of offering as part of a ritual after fishing and eating.
The Town’s Archaeologists determined that the site contain artifacts and cultural resources of significant archaeological value that are important to the Town, Palm Beach County, the state of Florida, and the United States of America.
Brian Davis, a Principal Planner and an expert planner in historic and archaeological resources for Palm Beach County, described this area of the Property as “the essence of Jupiter… a most iconic site… and as important as the Lighthouse.”
Chris Davenport, the Palm Beach County Archeologist, identified a type of rock that was used to make a basalt axe that he described as “very rare” and testified that this find was of “incredible archaeological importance.” He also noted that a very rare type of pottery called “fiber-tempered pottery” was found on the Property.
Bob Carr, an archaeological consultant hired by the owner, determined that the property contains archeological resources and/or potential archeological resources of significance because of the existence or potential existence of historical artifacts, skeletal or fossilized human remains, or non-human vertebrate fossils.
Betty Osceola, the President of the Sovereign Nation of the Miccosukee, stated that the Tribe respects its ancestors’ graves and they should not be disturbed or excavated. She stated that the teachings of the Miccosukee Tribe warned that disturbing her ancestors’ resting places would bring illness and bad luck from the spirits of her ancestors. President Osceola also stated that when human remains are found in an area such as this, it is likely that there will be more remains in the same location. It was her conclusion based on the culture of the Miccosukee Tribe that the Property might contain more remains from her ancestors.
Given the current owner’s desire to build on a potential historic and culturally significant parcel, Jupiter’s Historic Resources Board (HRB) was tasked to render an opinion on whether the owner should be allowed to dig (develop) the property. Based on all of the record and testimony brought before it, including all of the aforementioned experts and Tribe representatives cited above, Jupiter’s HRB found that the entire 10.4 acre property contains historical, cultural and archeological resources of significance. The HRB found that it is impossible to adequately preserve the historical and significant archaeological resources on the Property and therefore the entire 10.4 acres must be protected from development and preserved. They voted unanimously not to issue a Certificate To Dig.
Recently, the majority (3 of 5) of Jupiter’s Town Council over-ruled their own Historic Resources Board (HRB) recommendation pursuant to possible development of the site. Three councilors voted to only preclude digging (building) on 4.07 acres of the site as highlighted in red, orange, green & yellow on the map below.
Given the new restrictions on development, it is unclear what the owner's plans are now and if they may have changed. There are rumors of legal action.
If you feel strongly as many do that the site should be preserved, add your name to this petition.
By signing, we are asking the owner of the site to please consider selling the land back to either the town, a non-profit or another governmental entity at a reasonable price. By signing, we ask that the site's undeniable historic, cultural and archeological significance be respected and preserved.
The Issue
Just across the Jupiter Inlet (Jupiter Florida) from the iconic lighthouse lies the old Suni Sands site. It’s historic, cultural and archeological significance is undeniable.
The Celestial Railway ran thru the property and terminated at a wharf on the parcel on the Jupiter Inlet. The Celestial Railway shaped Jupiter’s history and was the responsible for the historic settlement of the Town.
A Midden has been identified on the property. Exploratory test digs were performed on the Midden Site. So far, the following archeological resources have been identified: 7 human teeth and a patella, hundreds of animal bones; lithics and other cultural materials which is evidence of indigenous people living on the Property. Buried articulated shark vertebrae have also been identified, evidencing (per archeologist Bob Carr) a deliberate burial as part of some type of offering as part of a ritual after fishing and eating.
The Town’s Archaeologists determined that the site contain artifacts and cultural resources of significant archaeological value that are important to the Town, Palm Beach County, the state of Florida, and the United States of America.
Brian Davis, a Principal Planner and an expert planner in historic and archaeological resources for Palm Beach County, described this area of the Property as “the essence of Jupiter… a most iconic site… and as important as the Lighthouse.”
Chris Davenport, the Palm Beach County Archeologist, identified a type of rock that was used to make a basalt axe that he described as “very rare” and testified that this find was of “incredible archaeological importance.” He also noted that a very rare type of pottery called “fiber-tempered pottery” was found on the Property.
Bob Carr, an archaeological consultant hired by the owner, determined that the property contains archeological resources and/or potential archeological resources of significance because of the existence or potential existence of historical artifacts, skeletal or fossilized human remains, or non-human vertebrate fossils.
Betty Osceola, the President of the Sovereign Nation of the Miccosukee, stated that the Tribe respects its ancestors’ graves and they should not be disturbed or excavated. She stated that the teachings of the Miccosukee Tribe warned that disturbing her ancestors’ resting places would bring illness and bad luck from the spirits of her ancestors. President Osceola also stated that when human remains are found in an area such as this, it is likely that there will be more remains in the same location. It was her conclusion based on the culture of the Miccosukee Tribe that the Property might contain more remains from her ancestors.
Given the current owner’s desire to build on a potential historic and culturally significant parcel, Jupiter’s Historic Resources Board (HRB) was tasked to render an opinion on whether the owner should be allowed to dig (develop) the property. Based on all of the record and testimony brought before it, including all of the aforementioned experts and Tribe representatives cited above, Jupiter’s HRB found that the entire 10.4 acre property contains historical, cultural and archeological resources of significance. The HRB found that it is impossible to adequately preserve the historical and significant archaeological resources on the Property and therefore the entire 10.4 acres must be protected from development and preserved. They voted unanimously not to issue a Certificate To Dig.
Recently, the majority (3 of 5) of Jupiter’s Town Council over-ruled their own Historic Resources Board (HRB) recommendation pursuant to possible development of the site. Three councilors voted to only preclude digging (building) on 4.07 acres of the site as highlighted in red, orange, green & yellow on the map below.
Given the new restrictions on development, it is unclear what the owner's plans are now and if they may have changed. There are rumors of legal action.
If you feel strongly as many do that the site should be preserved, add your name to this petition.
By signing, we are asking the owner of the site to please consider selling the land back to either the town, a non-profit or another governmental entity at a reasonable price. By signing, we ask that the site's undeniable historic, cultural and archeological significance be respected and preserved.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on August 3, 2023