Bessemer Properties of Palm Beach bought a large tract of land just north of the Seminole Golf Club in 1946. Here you see their plan to create a seasonal vacation community.
Its main attractions were to be: a large Fishing Pier, a beach club, and amusements on a scenic lake—now Pelican Lake—after dredging the natural marsh.
The Pier stood until destroyed by a storm in 1984.
A mobile real estate office was set up on Ocean Drive in late 1949.
Bessemer's plan envisioned, though didn't eventually create . . .
- a "residents only" beach club on the ocean;
- a recreation center on the lake, where you might rent pedal boats;
- a shopping center with stores lining both sides of Mercury Road leading to the new pier.
Bessemer's focus was on selling plots.
Bessemer's Fishing Pier was the prime tourist attraction in Juno Beach.
This photo, c. 1953, shows a barely-settled coastline. The Trading Post restaurant stood at the west end of Mercury Road. Just across Celestial Way was the Seminole restaurant, later the site of the Methodist Church and of today's Town Center.
The first houses are visible across Ocean Drive on Juno and Jupiter Lanes.
The Seminole Restaurant was built soon after the Pier opened in 1950.
It had a great location: on US 1/Ocean Drive, at the head of Pelican Lake, and at the end of Mercury Road that led to the Fishing Pier.
Bessemer itself built it. This was unusual as the company did not normally set up businesses. Unfortunately, the venture was not a success and closed after only a couple of years.
The Methodist Church found a stunning location for its Juno Beach congregation.
They took over the vacant Seminole Restaurant in 1959 and reconfigured it, keeping elements such as the kitchen for practical use.
It remained there until 1986, when the Town bought this prime site at the head of Pelican Lake for its new Town Center. The church moved to its much larger current site.
The first houses in the development were on Juno Lane.
A realtor advertised in 1949: Lots are available in Beautiful Juno Beach at less than $2,000. These are 26 feet above sea level and offer a sweeping view of the ocean.
Plots were diagonals to ensure that all had an ocean view.
Notice that prior to air conditioning, crankable jalousie windows were the norm.
Welcome Traveler! was this 1950 guide's title. It would have been freely available at gas stations and a county Welcome Station.
TV broadcasts only began in 1953 and FM radio in 1957. If you wanted air conditioning, you might head to the movie theater in West Palm Beach.
Note the attractions in the bottom paragraph: Come to Palm Beach County to chase Wild Cats and catch turtles in the woods!
The Juno Beach Association was created by the town's motel owners to promote their businesses. Diane Kagan, the then-mayor's daughter, was featured on the cover.
Brochures like this attracted northern visitors and even Miami weekenders who sought Juno's uncrowded, laid back atmosphere.
It was the association's members who filed for the town's incorporation in 1953.