In the early 1900s, Ponte Vedra was primarily an area dominated by sand dunes, swamps, alligators, and palmetto trees. In 1912, it was discovered that these dunes were rich in desirable minerals, containing rutile, ilmenite, and zirconium. These minerals were vital in the production of steel, which was in high demand during this era. After this discovery, attention was drawn to this pristine area of wilderness, in turn, resulting in the transformation to a mining town with a workers' quarter, a post office, and a supermarket. The National Lead Company took over the area for the purpose of mining ore and spurred development of the mineral-rich land, which supported the war effort. After World War I ended, demand for the minerals decreased and the company decided to transform the beachfront property into a resort community, covering the property with seaside houses, small and pastel in color. After a few years, the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club debuted in 1928, bringing an influx of socialites from nearby San Jose, San Marco, Ortega, and Riverside. Stockton, Whatley, Davin & Co. was a developer of Ponte Vedra Beach in the early 1930s and owned the Ponte Vedra Club. The resort became a favorite of the wealthy with guests and their families returning year after year. The 1937 clubhouse stands behind the lobby building and is still in use. In the early 1980s, Gate Petroleum purchased the Florida real estate holdings of Stockton, Whatley, Davin & Co., which was then owned by Phillips Petroleum Company for $60 million. The purchase contained more than of land in northeast Florida including the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. Gate raised the standards at the resort, and the property was awarded the AAA Five Diamond designation in 2002 and every year since.
Golf courses
The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club introduced the first golf course to the region in 1928, and Ponte Vedra is now known as one of the golf capitals on the East Coast. The golf facilities at the resort have a total of 36 holes on two courses. The Ocean Course was designed by Herbert Strong in 1928, redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1947, then again by Bobby Weed in 1998. The island green on the 9th hole is always a challenge and most of the time there is a stiff wind off the ocean. The Ryder Cup was scheduled to be held there in 1939, but was canceled when World War II began. The front nine holes of the Lagoon Course were a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design and opened in 1961. It was 16 years before the back nine was built, laid out by Joe Lee. In 1997, Bobby Weed redesigned the entire course and then again in 2007, fixing irrigation issues, enhancing the landscaping, and changing the routing on several holes. The Lagoon is considered the easier course to play, but is still challenging and full of character of its own. The latest clubhouse renovation occurred in 2001. The course is limited to members and their guests or guests of the resort.
