Juno Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Eleanor Fletcher and Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 9, 2026

1. Eleanor Fletcher and Loggerhead Marinelife Center Marker

Inscription.

Eleanor Fletcher and Loggerhead Marinelife Center. . , Eleanor Fletcher came to Juno Beach as a real estate agent in the 1970s. She loved the beach and every beach walk became a journey of discovery. Fascinated by sea turtles, Eleanor learned everything she could about their behavior and was eager to share her knowledge and passion. She offered guided beach walks and even opened the Children’s Museum of Juno Beach which evolved into today’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center., Eleanor’s collection of shells and other curiosities became so large that she rented an apartment just to exhibit them. It was located at 350 Celestial Way, adjacent to the Juno Beach Town Center. Recognizing the importance of her Children’s Museum of Juno Beach, Palm Beach County gave it a new home in Loggerhead Park in 1983., [Captions:] , Though not a trained biologist, Eleanor became recognized as a sea turtle expert. She was a committed conservationist, devoted to their protection., Eleanor published a newsletter called The Turtle Times to teach people about turtles and to recruit volunteers to help with her nighttime “Walk with the Turtles.”, Adult female turtles use the earth’s magnetic fields to navigate back to the region where they were born and lay their eggs deep in the sand. When hatchlings emerge from their nests, they head to the ocean. Green and Loggerhead turtles swim out several miles to floating mats of Sargassum seaweed where they live safely for years, finding food and refuge from predators. Their nesting season is March through October., Eleanor was passionate about sharing her knowledge and love of turtles. Children called her “The Turtle Lady,” and she was easily spotted on the beach wearing this vest., Here, Eleanor is digging into a nest from which hatchlings had just emerged. Sea turtles are protected under federal and state laws as their species are considered endangered or threatened. Only authorized professionals are allowed to handle turtles or explore their nests as she did.

Eleanor Fletcher came to Juno Beach as a real estate agent in the 1970s. She loved the beach and every beach walk became a journey of discovery. Fascinated by sea turtles, Eleanor learned everything she could about their behavior and was eager to share her knowledge and passion. She offered guided beach walks and even opened the Children’s Museum of Juno Beach which evolved into today’s Loggerhead Marinelife Center.

Eleanor’s collection of shells and other curiosities became so large that she rented an apartment just to exhibit them. It was located at 350 Celestial Way, adjacent to the Juno Beach Town Center. Recognizing the importance of her Children’s Museum of Juno Beach, Palm Beach County gave it a new home in Loggerhead Park in 1983.

[Captions:]
Though not a trained biologist, Eleanor became recognized as a sea turtle expert. She was a committed conservationist, devoted to their protection.

Eleanor published a newsletter called The Turtle Times to teach people about turtles and to recruit volunteers to help with her nighttime “Walk with the Turtles.”

Adult female turtles use the earth’s magnetic fields to navigate back to the region where they were born and lay their eggs deep in the sand. When hatchlings emerge from their nests, they head to the ocean. Green and Loggerhead turtles swim out several miles to floating mats of Sargassum seaweed where they live safely for years, finding food and refuge from predators. Their nesting season is March through October.

Eleanor was passionate about sharing her knowledge and love of turtles. Children called her “The Turtle Lady,” and she was easily spotted on the beach wearing this vest.

Here, Eleanor is digging into a nest from which hatchlings had just emerged. Sea turtles are protected under federal and state laws as their species are considered endangered or threatened. Only authorized professionals are allowed to handle turtles or explore their nests as she did.

Erected by The

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Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the State of Florida.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Charity & Public Work • Environment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1983.

Location. 26° 53.064′ N, 80° 3.391′ W. Marker is in Juno Beach, Florida, in Palm Beach County. It is at the intersection of Erikson Way and U.S. 1, on the right when traveling south on Erikson Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14200 Route 1, North Palm Beach FL 33408, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Florida,

on the Gold Coast,

on the Treasure Coast,

and in Greater Miami.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 9, 2026

2. Eleanor Fletcher and Loggerhead Marinelife Center Marker

Today, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center is home to wildlife education and sea turtle rehabilitation.

8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gold Star Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Celestial Railroad (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Juno Beach Town Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Celestial Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Dade County Court House (approx. 2.6 miles away); United States Life Saving Station (approx. 3.2 miles away); U.S. Jupiter Life Saving Station (approx. 3.2 miles away); W.D. Anderson (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Juno Beach.

Also see . . . About (Loggerhead Marinelife Center).

In April 2007, the organization relocated to a new 12,000 square foot certified "green" facility and changed its name to Loggerhead Marinelife Center. The new facility includes a state-of-the-art full service veterinary hospital, exhibit hall, outdoor classroom, research lab, and resource center. A visit is not complete without a stop in the marine-themed gift store, featuring an excellent selection of children's educational books and unique gift and craft items. Park amenities include
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, March 9, 2026

3. Loggerhead Marinelife Center
This green sea turtle is one of many rehabilitated turtles that you may expect to find on the premises.
a guarded beach, nature trail, playground and picnic pavilions.

(Submitted on April 18, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.