“Let’s Go Cardinals… Let’s go” is a familiar cheer that Jupiter, Florida residents have become very accustomed to over the past 14 years. In 1998, the Cardinals would move across the state to their new home for Spring Training at Roger Dean Stadium. But, even before Cardinal Nation came to town, Jupiter has quite a historic past.

Located in Palm Beach County, Jupiter has always been the last northern community of the sprawling West Palm Beach metropolitan area. Prior to 2000, the town was rarely heard of, but with the suburban sprawl of West Palm Beach northward, the opening of the new Spring Training facility and adjacent Florida Atlantic University Campus, Jupiter began a new chapter of existence.

Jupiter, like many parts of Florida, was originally named after the Indian tribe that had first settled the land. However, in Jupiter, it was a little “loss in translation” that finally derived the name. The first settlers were the Hobe Indian tribe which lived at the nearby mouth of the Loxahatchee River. Today, this area is still appropriately known as “Hobe Sound.” In the 1800’s, a mapmaker misunderstood the Spanish spelling 'Jobe' of the Indian name, and recorded it as 'Jove.' Subsequently, further misunderstandings would lead this to be the Latin translation of the Roman god of Jupiter. The Greek reference would even lead to the naming of the neighboring town of Juno, Florida. Jupiter, the chief Roman god, was husband of Juno, and god of light, of the sky and weather.

The area became an important navigation point along the Atlantic Ocean in the mid 1800’s. Ships would navigate into the sound and river to distribute goods. In 1860, the famous Jupiter Lighthouse would be completed along the seaport. The lighthouse was built on an Indian shell mound, an area to be most stable and a highest point of ground. It is located half way between the Port Canaveral Light to the north and the Hillsboro Inlet Light to the south. During the Civil War, supplies to the Confederacy were brought through the Jupiter Inlet. Fearing that the lighthouse was helping the Union ships, a group of Confederate sympathizers disabled the light and removed the machinery from the lighthouse. A Union agent found the hidden machinery and took it to Key West for safekeeping. After the war, the lighthouse was put back together and restored. It is still used today for navigation, in addition has become the symbol of Jupiter. Tours of the lighthouse are available throughout the day. A worthwhile stop!

In 1925, the town of Jupiter would be incorporated. The community would first be established as a seaboard community for fishing, boating and recreation. With the developing larger cities to the south, Jupiter would soon see many new residents moving northward. It also was becoming a new area for “snowbirds” to build second homes and enjoy the warm temperatures in the winter and pristine Atlanta beaches. By 1995, the community’s population was around 25,000 full-time residents but since has doubled that in 2010.

When the St. Louis Cardinals decided to relocate to Jupiter in the late 1990’s, Jupiter would become a familiar name in St. Louis and around the country. The opening of the new state-of-the-art Roger Dean Stadium created an economic and building boom in the once sleepy Jupiter. The stadium would also become home to the Miami Marlins Spring Training and several other minor league teams as well. Once completed in 1998, the stadium facility fueled many other construction projects in Jupiter. The stadium complex would be completed to include a new campus of Florida Atlantic University and an entertainment and shopping district. In addition, many St. Louisans began to find Jupiter as a great place to settle for retirement. Home construction continued to boom through the mid 2000’s. Yet, even with the economic and population boom, Jupiter today has retained much of its old world charm, tranquility and scenic beauty. The city government works diligently to maintain Jupiter as a “neighborhood community” instead of a suburban atmosphere. For more information on visiting Jupiter, visit www.jupiterfloridausa.com.

Of course, one of the best times to visit Jupiter is during Cardinals Spring Training time in March of each year. St. Louisans and Cardinal red are found everywhere in town. What not a better time to go! Many folks pack up and head south to root on the Cards. This year, DIRECTIONS Saint Louis will do the same with the 10th annual motorcoach or flight tour to Cardinal Spring Training in Jupiter. For more information call 314-577-0077 or visit www.hellodirections.com.