Stephanie Thorburn, assistant director of planning and zoning, opened a public program at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Museum and introduced a panel of historians, longtime boaters and business owners to discuss the history and current condition of the Loxahatchee River and Jupiter Inlet. The event combined a museum historical overview with first‑hand recollections from residents who have worked and lived on the water for decades.

Josh Litter, historian and collections manager for the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Museum and the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, traced human use of the river from thousands of years of Native American occupation to 19th‑century steamboat and charter activity. Litter said archaeological finds at Sunny Sands, Boys Park and other shoreline sites show long continuity of river use and that “the journey, to preserve our beautiful river continues” as conservation efforts seek to restore living shorelines and seagrass habitat.

Panelists described the river’s once‑vibrant commercial fishing and marina economy. Colette Barden recounted that the Barden Boat Center was “the first full service marina” in the area and detailed how family marinas supported local livelihoods. Captain Peter Leo, a longtime lifeguard and maritime rescuer, recalled abundant mullet and winter bluefish runs in the 1970s and 1980s and credited local charter captains with training a generation of mariners. Leo also described his role in recovering a cannon and other artifacts from a wreck site, saying the recovered material — coins, anchors and other pieces dated to the 1650s — are now displayed by the museum.

Speakers also pressed on contemporary problems. Christy Tonela, a member of the historic resources board whose family runs a public boat‑rental business, said public access and affordable boat storage have declined sharply. “Public access to the water is being greatly reduced,” Tonela said, describing marathon permit changes, removal of shared storage racks and higher rents that have forced local fishing charters and small operators to relocate. Panelists noted dockage that once cost a few hundred dollars a month can now approach several thousand.

Several panelists criticized rising boat speeds through the narrow Jupiter Inlet and cited safety risks for swimmers, manatees and small craft. Captain Leo summarized the safety concern plainly: “Speed kills.” He also described incidents from his lifeguard years, including large drug hauls recovered in the inlet and dangerous conditions that required frequent rescues.

Panelists described environmental impacts of mid‑century dredging, marina construction and recent bridge work. One small business owner said bridge construction left sand deposited in front of slips, rendering two slips unusable, and that repeated complaints to FDOT and the contractor produced limited remediation. Panelists contrasted those impacts with restoration projects they praised, such as conservation work at Saltfish Bay Park and a boardwalk‑and‑habitat project at South Fish Bay Park, which they said improved public access and preserved archaeological sites.

The program closed with thanks to museum staff and volunteers and an invitation to view the museum’s exhibits documenting the area’s maritime history. The session was livestreamed and recorded, and museum staff said exhibits will continue to display artifacts from the wreck site.