Martin County Service Men's Club Collection
Title
Martin County Service Men's Club Collection
Subject
Canteens (Facilities)
Martin County Service Men's Club (Stuart, Fla.)
Description
Chiefly photographs of events at the Martin County Service Men’s Club.
Historical note
The Martin County Service Men’s Club was established in June 1942 to provide a recreational and social space for military personnel during World War II. Initially housed in the Victory Hotel building (formerly the Peacock Arcade), the club relocated to a newly constructed facility at 246 SW Flagler Avenue in Stuart, dedicated on October 10, 1943. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the building featured a library, writing room, lounge, snack bar, patio, and recreation hall for dances and social events. Radie Belle Krueger served as Program Director and many women volunteered as "hostesses."
During World War II, “service clubs” were community-run and government-supported facilities offering rest, recreation, and entertainment to servicemen. Many were operated under the United Service Organizations (USO), a coalition of six national organizations including the YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, and others. Contemporary accounts of the Martin County Service Men’s Club make no mention of USO affiliation, suggesting it operated independently. A separate USO Club was located in nearby Hobe Sound.
The collection includes several photographs taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, which has been documenting military life and activities since the establishment of its Photographic Section in 1917. These images provide a visual record of the club and its role in supporting servicemen during the war.
Following the war, the building was acquired by the City of Stuart and used as a community recreation hall and civic center. Today (2025), it remains in public use as the Flagler Center of Stuart.
Historical note
The Martin County Service Men’s Club was established in June 1942 to provide a recreational and social space for military personnel during World War II. Initially housed in the Victory Hotel building (formerly the Peacock Arcade), the club relocated to a newly constructed facility at 246 SW Flagler Avenue in Stuart, dedicated on October 10, 1943. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the building featured a library, writing room, lounge, snack bar, patio, and recreation hall for dances and social events. Radie Belle Krueger served as Program Director and many women volunteered as "hostesses."
During World War II, “service clubs” were community-run and government-supported facilities offering rest, recreation, and entertainment to servicemen. Many were operated under the United Service Organizations (USO), a coalition of six national organizations including the YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, and others. Contemporary accounts of the Martin County Service Men’s Club make no mention of USO affiliation, suggesting it operated independently. A separate USO Club was located in nearby Hobe Sound.
The collection includes several photographs taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, which has been documenting military life and activities since the establishment of its Photographic Section in 1917. These images provide a visual record of the club and its role in supporting servicemen during the war.
Following the war, the building was acquired by the City of Stuart and used as a community recreation hall and civic center. Today (2025), it remains in public use as the Flagler Center of Stuart.
Source
Scans gift of Stuart Heritage Museum
Date
1943-1945
Contributor
Stuart Heritage Museum
Language
English
Identifier
2025.019
Coverage
Florida-Stuart
