Fort Pierce designates Little Jim as historic, locally significant, Florida cracker style

Little Jim Bait & Tackle has made history.

The Fort Pierce City Commission voted unanimously Monday night to designate the city-owned Little Jim waterfront property and Florida cracker building, which houses a bar, restaurant and bait shop, as an "historic property" and "locally significant site."

About 200 people — most of them wearing teal T-shirts the business gave out in the days leading up to the meeting — showed up to support its historic designation. The business closed at 3 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. so employees could attend the meeting that started about 5 p.m.

“This is something that should’ve been taken care of a long time ago,” attendee Matthew Samuel told commissioners before the vote. “It needs to be recognized as a historical spot. This will only make Fort Pierce more beautiful.”

After the vote, the crowd cheered and clapped, congratulating Little Jim owner Donna Qvarnstrom as she left City Hall to celebrate at Cobb’s Landing, a marina-area restaurant she also owns.

“This is what we’ve been working so hard for,” Qvarnstrom told TCPalm. “It’s history. We made history.”

The business started a petition to “Save Little Jim Bait & Tackle” in June 2023 after commissioners talked about selling the property.

“It is one of the few waterfront properties along the Eastern Seaboard that has not fallen prey to modern development,” according to the petition, “and we want to make sure to save it.”

What does the historic designation mean?

The local designation means the city will maintain control over the property as landlords. Any proposed changes would have to be approved by the city staff or Historic Preservation Board, which would make a recommendation for the City Commission.

However, the City Commission could reverse the decision or change the activity there — allowing for a museum instead of a restaurant, for example.

The city will include the designation in the request for proposals it must seek for the property before Little Jim Bait & Tackle's 10-year lease expires March 1. The business is expected to submit a bid to continue its operations.

Qvarnstrom told TCPalm she's prepared to have any changes — even just a change in paint color — reviewed and approved by the city, including her future plans to add bathrooms.

"This was our way of hopefully protecting it against a big development coming in," Qvarnstrom said. "We want it to stay what it is."

What is the history of Little Jim?

The building was built in 1942 and served as a Navy guard shack and barrier island checkpoint during World War II.

Only authorized personnel could go to North Hutchinson Island, where over 140,000 people were trained for the Normandy invasion and countless Pacific operations. The Underwater Demolition Teams, or “Frogmen,” later became the Navy Seals.

When the Navy left in 1944, it gave the city the land, the shack and the wooden bridge.

An early bait shop has grown into the popular hangout it is today. Vero Beach native and country music star Jake Owen even filmed a music video there last year, for his song, "On The Boat Again."

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fort Pierce designates Little Jim as historic, Florida cracker style