Many area residents have wrongly presumed that Donald Ross Road in Jupiter was named for legendary golf course designer Donald Ross who designed Seminole Golf Club in North Palm Beach. Beautiful gated communities such as Bears Club, Trump National, and others buffer the active roadway. Are you curious who or what inspired the busy thoroughfare’s namesake?
Ellison Wilson was a young man whose family founded Kelsey City (Lake Park). The family moved from Tennessee to the area in 1923. Ellison was one of eight siblings who also spent many days enjoying the local waterways. The Wilson’s had a farm along the Intracoastal Waterway, running parallel to Prosperity Farms Road (near The Benjamin School). His mother was beloved principal of Lake Park Elementary School. Sadly, the Wilson farm would be destroyed in the epic hurricane of 1928.
Donald Alexander Ross was a resident of Lake Park, formerly known as Kelsey City. He moved to Kelsey City (Lake Park) in 1928 as a child. Spending his days like most kids in the area, he played outdoors and on the waterway’s. He was adventurous and row a dingy to a vacant spot (which became Singer Island) and camp out.
Ellison Wilson was a young man whose family founded Kelsey City (Lake Park). The family moved from Tennessee to the area in 1923. Ellison was one of eight siblings who also spent many days enjoying the outdoors. His family had a farm along the Intracoastal Waterway, running parallel to Prosperity Farms Road. His mother was a respected and loved principal of Lake Park Elementary School. Sadly, the Wilson farm was destroyed in Hurricane of 1928.
Both Wilson and Ross would grow up and serve in the United States military. A memorial was dedicated to Donald Ross and Ellison Wilson, two of many World War II heroes. The actual memorial is located on the southeast corner of Donald Ross Road and Ellison Wilson Road intersection. Ellison was a gunner on a tank in the Third Armored Division in the Battle of the Bulge. Wilson served honorably in the Army during World War II. He lost his life defending this great country on December 28, 1944 near Belgium.
Ross was a lieutenant, earned a “Silver-Star” for his heroism, who led the 191st. Tank Battalion in North Africa. Lt. Ross saved fellow soldiers by circling tanks around his fellow American fighters who had been immobilized by enemy gunfire providing them opportunity to escape. Ross later lost his life in Remagen, Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. He was the first resident of Lake Park to die in the line of duty during the war.
