Native American Heritage Month: Discover Indigenous History in Martin County, Florida

Martin County, Florida, offers travelers opportunities to explore the Indigenous history of the Treasure Coast through archaeological landmarks, museum exhibits, and the Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage. At Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach, visitors can learn about Mount Elizabeth, an Indigenous archaeological site featuring a shell mound dating back approximately 4,500 years. Set along the Indian River Lagoon, the park combines a scenic waterfront setting with a meaningful connection to the region’s earliest inhabitants. In downtown Stuart, the Stuart Heritage Museum preserves artifacts and stories documenting the people and communities that shaped the area, including displays highlighting the Ais, an Indigenous people who lived along Florida’s east coast. Travelers can also explore the Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage at the House of Refuge at Gilbert’s Bar on Hutchinson Island. Built in 1876, the historic landmark is Martin County’s oldest surviving building and is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026 following a major restoration project. Another site along the Trail is Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound. Portions of the Battle of Loxahatchee, fought during the Second Seminole War, are believed to have been fought within the park. Together, these sites offer a starting point for discovering the cultural and archaeological history of Florida’s Atlantic coast while exploring Martin County’s distinctive waterfront communities. From ancient shell mounds to local museum collections, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for the Indigenous history that predates the region’s modern towns and tourism attractions. For more information and trip-planning inspiration, visit Discover Martin.

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