Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida, USA

Fort Pierce is the county seat of St. Lucie County on Florida’s Atlantic coast, about 55 miles north of West Palm Beach in the Treasure Coast region. The city occupies the mainland shore of the Indian River Lagoon and extends across the lagoon to portions of Hutchinson Island, where the Fort Pierce Inlet provides direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. Its geography combines a historic waterfront downtown, residential and commercial areas, port and marina facilities, lagoon islands, beaches and coastal conservation lands. U.S. Route 1 and Florida’s Turnpike connect Fort Pierce with communities along the coast and inland, while the inlet, lagoon and offshore waters have made fishing, boating, marine research and port activity central to the city’s identity. Fort Pierce was named for a U.S. Army post established nearby in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, incorporated in 1901 and is commonly known as the “Sunrise City.” The city government describes Fort Pierce as covering approximately 31 square miles and serving as the historic hub of St. Lucie County.