Unique in so many ways, Hobe Sound sits in the most environmentally sensitive area of southeastern Martin County. Within Hobe Sound's 5.7 square miles reside Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound Nature Center and the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge.
Hobe Sound is named for the Jobe ("hoe-bay") Indians who inhabited the area prior to European settlement in the late 1600's. Parts of Hobe Sound, about 12,000 acres, were included in the Gomez grant given to Don Eusebio in 1815 by Spain. In 1821 Gomez sold 8,000 of the 12,000 acres, including Jupiter Island to Joseph Delespine for $1 per acre.
Hobe Sound remained a sleepy town until the early twentieth century when Henry Flagler brought the railroad through. This created opportunity for employment and growth. Among the earliest and most interesting endeavors was the 1920's plan to create a Greek-style town where motion pictures could be produced. The Olympia Improvement Corporation created a section, stil;l in existence today, with street names of Zeus, Saturn, Olympus, Mars, Pluto ad Athens. Hobe Sound was briefly renamed "Picture City."
Today, Hobe Sound is a interesting, eclectic small community with wonderful art galleries, small boutiques and excellent restaurants along Dixie Highway. Hobe Sound has continued to enjoy slow growth and continued environmental sanctity.
