Hardware and History

Jarrett “J.J.” Stinchcomb grew up in Marco Island. As a kid, along with his friends he knew from kindergarten, he enjoyed exploring the many secrets of the island. Times were different then and they would see how many times they could make it around the island in a day. They were always moving and were into everything.

J.J. walked into Sunshine Ace Hardware in early 2014 while the store was being remodeled and saw the big blank wall. He immediately knew it was the perfect location for a mural depicting the early history of Marco Island.

Sunshine Ace on San Marco Road is an atypical place to find a world-class mural depicting four key points of Marco Island’s history. It is easy to miss the 24’ x 5’ historical mural painted by prominent local artist, J.J. Stinchcomb. It occupies a large wall right by the bank of three cash registers. You’ve subconsciously read its captions on your many visits to pick up items for your home projects.

The mural features key focal points of Marco’s rich history. The historical images tell the story of the early days of Marco starting with its first residents, the Calusa Indians. Replicas of artifacts unearthed in the Frank Hamilton Cushing dig of 1896 are also displayed in the store.

On your next trip to Sunshine Ace, take a moment to scan its walls. Check out the side and back walls and you will also see at least 75 large historical photographs depicting Marco Island’s early pioneering families.

To view more of J.J. Stinchcomb’s artwork visit his website, Floridianart.com.