Jupiter’s School Boat
How did kids get to school around in the early 1900’s? With so much water around our area the most logical choice was by boat.
The Jupiter school boat was called “The Maine” in honor the of the battleship U.S.S. Maine that sank in Havana Harbor in 1898 igniting the Spanish American War.
If you look at a map of Florida from the early 1900’s you’ll see that a sparsely populated town near the coastline.
At that time, travel over land was extremely difficult as witnessed in the photo on the right.
The story of the school boat was best told by Elsie Dolby Jackson in her book, “Early History of Jupiter”.
It starts with the account of Dr. Charles Jackson, a homesteader on the Loxahatchee River.
Dr. Jackson, his wife, son and daughter came here in 1895. They had moved South for the doctor’s health. Probably no one family did any more to help Jupiter than this one. The doctor was a physician, minister and friend to old and young in the community. During the winter of 1895 and 1896 he taught school at East Jupiter. In the summer of 1896 he started raising pineapple on the bank of the river. This proved a success for the industry was very profitable.
In 1901 and 1902 he taught again at North Jupiter”. Classes were held in a dilapidated one-room building. It was located East of the railroad. The next two years Jackson taught at West Jupiter where his daughter, Mary, was his assistant.
The winter of 1903 and 1904 was the first school boat year. The doctor not only taught school but ran the boat as well.
The Jacksons good fortune ran out after three years when they lost their house to a fire. Dr. Jackson went into the “pines” very heavily in 1905. That industry, temporarily. Proved a failure in this section, though due mainly to the high cost of freight.
It placed the doctor in such a position that in 1910 he left for Cocoanut Grove. He has since served there as rector of the Episcopal Church. To say he is missed is expressing our sentiments very mildly.
With new roads being built and assembly line automobiles costing under $1,000, the need for the little school boat became unnecessary and was discontinued.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
- REAL-TIME CALENDAR
- NO BOOKING FEES!
-
PLEASE CALL IF YOUR TIME SLOT IS NOT AVAILABLE
WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACCOMODATE YOUR PARTY!
- PRIVATE TOURS ONLY! Pay CASH and SAVE $25.00
- Cancellation Policy: 24 hours notice for full refund
- For SAME DAY reservations or if your dates aren’t available, PLEASE CALL. We’ll do our best to accommodate.
- Bookings will be confirmed via text message and email.
- All passengers must sign our liability waiver.
- Single Riders, please call 561-222-3622
- We NEVER cancel trips due to lack of participation!
Two Locations to Choose from
each location offers a different tour
Two Locations
each location
offers a
different tour
Jupiter Boat Tours
MOST POPULAR JUPITER BOAT TOUR
Jupiter Island Narrated Historic & Celebrity Boat Tour
Your captain will guide you through your cruise explaining the fascinating history of the Jupiter Lighthouse and Jupiter Island. See Tiger Woods’ home, where Burt Reynolds, Olivia Newton John, Greg Norman, Alan Jackson and Perry Como lived and many more. Watch for manatees, sea turtles and other wildlife while enjoying the beautiful tropical blue waters of the Jupiter Inlet.
Jupiter Sunset Boat Cruise
(Narration Available)
Relax as the sun sets over the water, creating a breathtaking display of colors that you won’t soon forget. We offer two options: a relaxing river cruise our our famous narrated historic tour. Both options end up at the Jupiter Lighthouse for a fantastic sunset. This is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy a serene evening on the water.
Jupiter Sandbar Swim & Cruise
(Narration Available)
Jupiter offers several options for our sandbar cruise. We can quickly get you to one of three great spots to get into the water, or you can enjoy our historic narrated tour before we arrive at the sandbar just across the water from Greg Normans house.
Palm Beach Tours
MOST POPULAR PALM BEACH BOAT TOUR
West Palm Beach Narrated Historic & Celebrity Boat Tour
Your narrated tour starts at Peanut Island and will glide past homes of the rich and famous including: Sylvester Stallone, Bernie Madoff, Steve Wynn, King Hussain, Ray Floyd and many more. You will also learn about the history of the Island from the 1800s to now. Remember to keep a lookout for manatees, sea turtles, and other wildlife as you soak up the stunning views of the tropical blue waters.
West Palm Beach Sunset Boat Cruise
(Narration Available)
Experience the magic of a stunning sunset on a boat cruise past homes of the rich and famous. Relax as the sun sets over the water, creating a breathtaking display of colors that you won’t soon forget. With the gentle sound of the waves and the soft glow of the sunset, our boat cruise is the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the area.
Peanut Island Swim & Cruise
(Narration Available)
Peanut Island is a great place to get into the beautiful water around Palm Beach. Snorkeling is a popular activity here, as the clear waters are home to a diverse array of marine life. You can also relax near the island’s pristine beaches, soak up the sun, and enjoy a picnic lunch. Peanut Island is a must-do activity for anyone visiting the area.
