The History
of John's Island
The more things change, the more they stay the same. So it is at John's Island, where the original mission of creating a private, family-oriented community for those with discerning tastes, continues to evolve. Today, John's Island is a 1,650-acre, barrier island masterpiece situated within the quaint town of Indian River Shores in Vero Beach. Homes have been strategically placed to preserve old oak trees. A rare and cherished three miles of private beach access and over nine miles of Intracoastal Waterway exposure make John's Island a playground in paradise. Careful preservation of the pristine natural surroundings ensures this paradise will be as breathtaking in the future as it is today.
1715 — The body of land which is today known as John’s Island, is rich with history.
1880 — Survivors of the Spanish Plate Fleet set up a salvage camp on what is now the northern boundary of John’s Island.
1900s — A farmer named John LaRoche settled on a 300 acre island on the Indian River known today as “The Island at John’s Island”. This island was the original John's Island named after John LaRoche.
1920 — The community founded by John LaRoche prospered with some 200 residents, two churches and a school.
1925 — Residents deserted the 300 acre island and moved to the mainland. Tropical jungle took over the old cemetery where the original settlers of Vero Beach are buried.
Early 1950s — John’s Island became part of the newly established Indian River County.
1953 — Fred Tuerk acquired the island and, parcel by parcel, assembled the 3,000 surrounding acres of land. Tuerk was strongly commited to preserving the land in its natural and tangled state.
1969 — Indian River Shores become an incorporated town on June 15th, 1953. The town is four miles long, end to end, and borders Vero Beach’s northeast city limit.
Tuerk’s heirs, cognizant of his love for the property, sought to find a purchaser for the 3,000 acre estate. The buyer they were seeking would respect the environment and the land’s natural beauty.
The man they found was E. Llwyd Ecclestone, Sr. He had demonstrated a profound commitment over ten years prior when he founded and developed Lost Tree Village in North Palm Beach.
Mr. Ecclestone undertook a long term plan for the development of a unique, private residential Club community which would fully preserve the wild beauty of the land, and the legacy of the past.
1981 – Present — Over twenty years later, Helen Ecclestone Stone, daughter of E. Llwyd Ecclestone, Sr., has fulfilled the dreams of John LaRoche and Fred Tuerk, in a way neither man could have envisioned.
E. Llwyd Ecclestone,
Founder
Beautifully created in harmony with its history and the dream of its namesake John LaRoche.