As it was the railroad's terminus, people anticipated Juno's becoming the regional hub. Voters chose to move the Dade County seat from Biscayne (Miami) to Juno in 1889.
Construction of the County Courthouse followed swiftly. It housed legal offices and was the site for County Commission meetings, social events, and for the Masons' Harmony Lodge.
Courtesy HSPBC
The Tropical Sun newspaper moved to Juno shortly after its founding. It was the first in southeast Florida.
The paper's masthead is fascinating, contrasting the Spaniards in the 16th cent. with the modern 19th cent. Under the arc, the region's agricultural wealth is displayed: cocoanuts [sic], avocado pears, lemons, limes, oranges, mangos, guavas, and bananas.
Juno's dock was located just southeast of today's intersection of US 1 and PGA Bd./Jack Nicklaus Dr.
The Courthouse stood where a Publix is today. The Tropical Sun building is shown on this map on the corner of Sun St.
Though the multitude of plots reveals that they had high expectations, Juno never had more a few dozen residents.
Courtesy HSPBC
The Tropical Sun's editor, Guy Metcalf, wrote this vivid, picturesque account of the sights along the Celestial's Railroad's route.
As the railroad didn't run on Sundays, the family pumped a handcar to take them up to Jupiter.
Pineapples were the major cash crop in the fertile Juno area. The arrival of the Celestial was a boon for this industry.
This watercolor was painted by George W. Potter, an original homesteader. He served as the county surveyor, eventually tasked with laying out the new town of West Palm Beach. His occupations also included realtor, lumber merchant, and bank president.
Courtesy HSPBC
Tourists Delight! This flyer, published by the Tropical Sun newspaper c. 1891, was not reserved in boasting about the wonders of the Lake Worth region.
The lower map gives directions in how to get there. Board an Indian River paddlewheeler at Titusville for 130-mile trip down to Jupiter; change for the Jupiter and Lake Worth train to Juno; and finally, take lake steamboat to your hotel.The top insert map points to the various communities around the Lake that had a post office.
It's interesting to see the cartoon sketch of a Seminole with a rifle standing under a coconut palm.
Charles Woodruff's general store, situated near the Courthouse and the Celestial Railroad's tracks in Juno, was one of its few businesses. He also served as Juno's postmaster for several years.
Once Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railroad line began serving West Palm Beach in 1894, it became the new hub. Whittaker moved the store by barge and reopened on Banyan Street. (See street sign.)
Juno area farms flourished even after the Celestial ceased operation.
Henry Flagler promoted the Palm Beach region eagerly and his railroad enabled rapid shipment of produce to the north.
He sponsored the first County Fair in 1912 where the Schlappi family's farm in Juno took the Best Field Crop award. Flagler's photo is displayed prominently.
Courtesy HSPBC