Many people who visit the cities of Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, and other surrounding towns may wonder, “Why is it called the Treasure Coast?” The region, stretching from Indian River County to the Palm Beach and Martin County line, has been called the Treasure Coast for several decades. Each year, thousands of people visit Florida’s Treasure Coast. Most people know it for its beautiful beaches, charming downtown areas, and world-class golf culture. However, the Treasure Coast is named for its history, which began hundreds of years ago, and is a story filled with literal treasure.
The 1715 Fleet Shipwreck
In late July 1715, a Spanish fleet of twelve ships sailed from Havana, Cuba, carrying silver, gold, and jewels. Just one week into the voyage, the fleet was met by a devastating hurricane off the coast of Vero Beach, Florida. Of the twelve ships, only one survived. More than 700 people lost their lives, and millions of pesos in registered treasure were lost.
The wreck was one of the worst maritime disasters in history. The treasures from the ship sank into the ocean and drifted dozens of miles away. However, much of the treasure remained in the region that is now called the Treasure Coast.
Shipwrecks on the Treasure Coast
The famous shipwreck that filled the area with treasures isn’t the first documented shipwreck in Treasure Coast history. Jonathan Dickinson State Park, one of the region’s most incredible state parks, is named for a Quaker merchant shipwrecked near the St. Lucie Inlet. The park is more than 11,000 acres and perfectly captures the region’s history by giving visitors a glimpse of what the area was like before cities were built. Less than two decades after Dickinson’s ship was wrecked at the St. Lucie Inlet, the Spanish treasure fleet was also destroyed. Locals wanted to help the shipwrecked crew, so they established Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge as a place where sailors could get food and shelter.
The Real Eight Company and Mel Fisher’s Treasures
During the 1960s and 1970s, well-equipped treasure salvors began to find large amounts of gold, silver, and other artifacts from the Spanish ships. The group was organized by the Real Eight Company, a group of men brought together by Kip Wagner, a contractor turned treasure hunter. Before searching for the treasure, Wagner talked with Captain Steadman Parker. Steadman told Kip about the coins that were being discovered on the beaches after strong storms. Wagner decided to search the beaches himself for lost treasure.
Over time, Wagner became obsessed with finding a potentially lost treasure. He formed friendships and partnerships with people who were also interested in treasure hunting. Kip and his friends began to research the region and its history to examine whether or not their goal of treasure hunting could be successful.
Once Kip learned about the 1715 fleet and hurricane wreckage off the coast, he formed the Real Eight Company, consisting of Kip and eight members. They created detailed plans to hunt for the treasure and soon began to recover thousands of coins. They also discovered rings, terra-cotta pot shards, lead sheathing, and other artifacts and relics. However, Kip wasn’t the only treasure hunter in the area interested in recovering the 1715 ship wreckage.
Mel Fisher was a treasure hunter and dreamer who was also responsible for the region becoming known as the Treasure Coast. The Real Eight Company joined forces with Mel Fisher’s team. When the teams initially searched for treasure at the bottom of the ocean, the murky water made it difficult for the divers to see where the treasure was buried. In 1964, Mel created an apparatus called the “mailbox” that shot a layer of clear water to the ocean floor. When they were testing the device, the sands parted and revealed vast amounts of gold.
Mel Fisher created a company specializing in shipwreck recovery and has since discovered many treasures from the 1715 shipwreck. The Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum in Sebastian is dedicated to Fisher’s life and legacy and offers visitors a glimpse of Mel’s story and the region’s history. Fisher’s company has recovered over $400 million in treasures, including an emerald ring found in 2011 and estimated to be worth $500K.
Who Named the Area the Treasure Coast?
Pam Cooper, a Florida historian and librarian for the Indian River County Library, says there isn’t a definitive source that can answer the question, “Why is it called the Treasure Coast?” Cooper believes the region’s naming is uncertain. However, John J. Schumann Jr. and his family claim ownership of giving the area its name.
The Treasure Coast received its name in the 1960s. During this time, professional treasurehunters were yielding impressive results. Beautiful coins and jewelry were being unearthed right off the coasts, confirming the rumors that the region was a place of lost treasure.
At the time, the Vero Beach Press Journal, owned by John J. Schumann Jr. and his family, was writing about the history of the regional gold rush as it unfolded. The local paper reported numerous stories about the unique artifacts found in the waters. Schumann and his editor, Harry J. Schultz, decided that if other coastal regions had a distinct name, Vero Beach and the surrounding cities also needed a moniker. They coined the term Treasure Coast. They began to use the name Treasure Coast in their publications, and the name also began to appear in local businesses. Locals adopted the name, and the region became known as the Treasure Coast.
What Else is the Treasure Coast Known For?
The Treasure Coast isn’t just known for its treasure. It’s also known for its citrus. The area’s oranges were world-famous; before the oranges, the Treasure Coast was the pineapple capital of the world. Pineapples have grown along the Indian River since the 1850s, and when pioneer John Jensen came to the area, within ten years, Jensen Beach was known as the pineapple capital of the world.
During its peak years, the region produced a million crates of pineapples annually. Many cities on the Treasure Coast flourished due to the citrus and pineapple industry. The gold rush of the 1960s and 1970s also helped transform the Vero Beach and surrounding communities. Cities around the area started to grow.
The Treasure Coast is now home to hundreds of thousands of residents. The region continues to grow as people discover the lifestyle and wonderful communities. Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties have unique coastal cities, and many families and retirees are drawn to the area for its amenities, weather, and charming neighborhoods.
Does Florida’s Treasure Coast Still Have Treasure?
Today, it’s still possible to find treasure on the Treasure Coast. Occasionally, treasure seekers happen upon a piece of the region’s history buried in the sands. Many beachgoers have found pieces of gold, silver, and ancient artifacts on the shores and in the coast’s water. In June 2024, CBS News reported that treasure seekers on a boat called the Lilly May recovered hundreds of silver coins and other artifacts from the 1715 shipwrecks.
It’s also common for treasure hunters to search for artifacts after storms hit the area. The beach erosion that occurs after storms and hurricanes makes it easier to search for treasure. In 2022, when Hurricane Nicole hit the region, treasure hunters immediately took to the beaches to search for gold and were able to unearth valuable pieces of history. They successfully found artifacts, silver, and beautiful golf coins. Many treasure hunters don’t just dig for the value of the pieces but also enjoy digging to learn more about the history.
Today, the search for treasure continues. It’s estimated that hundreds of millions of dollars of treasure are still drifting in the oceans or the sands on the Treasure Coast. The Treasure Coast is more than a vacation playground full of natural beauty and coastal cities to explore. It’s also a region of true lost treasure.
