The rich history of the area and its pristine natural resources helped shape Ponte Vedra
Beach. Years of conflict between Timucuan Indians, the Spanish, the French and the English
persisted until around 1821, when Spain sold Florida to the United States and it became a
territory. Nearly 100 years later, in 1914, two young chemical engineers, Henry Holland
Buckman and George A. Pritchard, discovered that Ponte Vedra’s beaches contained
industrial minerals, including components necessary for the production of titanium and
zirconium. The National Lead Co. bought out the partners in 1916. The mining settlement,
named Mineral City, played a crucial role in World War I, as titanium was a key component
in the manufacture of poisonous gas. In 1928, the National Lead Co. rechristened Mineral
City in honor of what was believed to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus — Ponte
Vedra, Spain. City founders later learned that Columbus was actually born in Genoa, Italy.
The name Ponte Vedra stuck and today has come to symbolize sophisticated beach-style
living. Modern-day Ponte Vedra began to take shape when National Lead built a 9-hole
golf course for its employees along with a log clubhouse and polo field in 1922. In 1937, the
complex became the world-famous Ponte Vedra Inn & Club.
Today, Sawgrass is home to The Players Championship golf tournament and is world
headquarters for the PGA Tour, thanks to a now-legendary 1978 deal in which developers Jerome
and Paul Fletcher sold PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman 415 densely wooded acres for
one dollar. The area offers other championship golf courses against a backdrop of natural charm,
world-class tennis facilities, breathtaking marshlands abounding with wildlife and of course,
miles of beautiful, unspoiled white sand beaches. Surrounding the island are the waters of the
Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, tempting windsurfing, boating and
fishing enthusiasts into its surf and inlets. All this in a climate which invites yearround enjoyment. Although synonymous with luxury, Ponte Vedra Beach does have
affordable housing away from the ocean. Most of all, Ponte Vedra Beach offers
low-key living with delightful and diverse opportunities for beach, golf, tennis and
cultural activities.