STAY TUNED FOR NEW PHOTOS! Welcome to the Secret Garden at Seminole Street nestled in the heart of downtown Stuart. We invite you to experience this little piece of Stuart, Florida’s history. Located within walking distance to many of Stuarts vibrant shops, restaurants & waterfront board walks. Take a quick scenic drive to Stuarts beaches or famous local attractions.
This 1925 historic home features 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms.
Venture outside to the garden area to sip your morning cup of coffee.
PLEASE NOTE: This home is located in the heart of downtown Stuart which means you will hear music from local bars & restaurants, people walking in the streets as well as trains passing thru. The home is in close proximity to the railroad tracks.
Guest have access to the entire home and garden area. There our 2 sheds in back garden area and 1 owner closet in home guest will not have access to.
HISTORY: The Secret Garden at Seminole Street Stuart, FL 34994
formerly known as
The Johnson Residence~The Seminole Street Studio
On May 7, 1914, Stuart was first incorporated as a town and formed as a part of Palm Beach County. Stuart was chartered as a city in 1925 and was named the County seat of Martin County. In this same year, 1925, a local builder, Samuel Matthews, built this wooden farmhouse made of Dade County Pine. Mr. Matthews was also once of Stuart’s first Alderman. It had an elevated foundation and featured a fireplace and tall chimney. Sometime in the late 1930-40’s, an addition was built on the Western side, for the operation of beauty shop. The Eastern portion, which was the original house, served as a lawyer’s house for several years.
In 1962, it was bought by the John T. Johnson family as a private residence. Sherrie Johnson, a local artist, converted the original one car garage in the backyard to be her studio. Sherrie spent her years meticulously detailing the natural beauty of Florida’s vast landscapes right here in her very own backyard. With her deep appreciation of the natural environment around her, Johnson spent 8 years studying and working with the renowned Highwaymen artist, A.E. “Beanie” Backus, from Fort Pierce. Ms. Johnson had a passion for admiring the world around her and translating that into oil paintings and mixed media drawings, so much so that she spent about 9 months creating a series of artwork that later became known as “My Florida Favorites”. This was to honor the late Ernie Lyons, who also lived on Seminole Street and to whom the Indian River Lagoon bridge from Sewall’s Point to Hutchinson Island is named after. For approximately 22 years, this home was known as “The Seminole Street Studio” thanks to Sherrie (b. April 11th, 1947).
In 2011, it was this very exhibit she had created in her backyard that went on display in US Senator Bill Nelson’s office in Washington, D.C. It aimed to encapsulate the beauty of places such as Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound and St. Johns River near DeLand. Her vision for her paintings mirrors that of her backyard: a gorgeous piece of natural landscape that contains over 75 different species of plants (bromeliads, begonias, purple daze, royal poinciana trees, and more) which makes it the unique property that it is today.
Please inquire with host about any additional questions you may have.
