Jupiter residents have cherished childhood memories of splashing around the shallow lagoon of DuBois Park and investigating the DuBois Pioneer Home. The grounds and estuary are a joy to explore. DuBois Park has a rich history. Within the park is a house made of Florida pine that was once home to early Florida pioneers, Harry, and Susan DuBois.

Built in 1898, the DuBois Pioneer Home is one of the last remaining historic homesteads of its type in unincorporated northern Palm Beach County. Located along the Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County’s DuBois Park, “the house on the hill” is a historic example of a self-sufficient South Florida Pioneer homestead.

The house is built atop of a Native American shell rock midden. The DuBois home, constructed in 1898, is the second oldest home in Palm Beach County. The Dubois’ purchased eighteen acres on the southside of the Jupiter Inlet. At the top of the Indigenous Native American shell mound sat a large pile of mollusk shells. Dubois needed somewhere to store his pineapple crop before it shipped out. The location was ideal for shipping transport of his crops.

The DuBois Family is one of Jupiter’s most notable pioneer families and this unique homestead is rich in both historic and archeological value. DuBois sold the shell mound as shell rock for the roadbed which would become Park Avenue, Silver Beach Road, and other streets in Kelsey City. Kelsey City was later renamed, Lake Park.

Artifacts found in the Indigenous mound at DuBois include pieces of pottery, bone-handled toothbrushes, and most notably a faceted chevron bead. Chevron beads were produced in Italy in the 14th century and were only used by wealthy individuals for trade purposes. In fact, all of Manhattan Island was purchased with beads.

DuBois Park is open during the hours of sunrise and sunset at 19075 DuBois Road, Jupiter FL 33477.