Pete's Bar and Jensen's Market will receive an official Florida historical marker, placing two longtime Neptune Beach landmarks in the state's historical record.

Neptune Beach Preservation Inc. announced Friday, Oct. 2, that the Florida Division of Historical Resources approved its application for the marker. The state's Historical Marker Council reviewed the application at its Oct. 2 meeting.

The marker will stand near 117 First St., at the corner of First and Lemon streets, where Pete's Bar has operated since 1933. Jensen's Market, the predecessor to Pete's Bar, occupied the site beginning in the 1920s.

Neptune Beach Preservation said the marker will take about six to seven months to manufacture and ship. The group plans to hold a public unveiling after it is installed.

A landmark dating to the 1920s

Pete Jensen operated Jensen's Market at the site during the 1920s, before Neptune Beach incorporated as a municipality in 1931.

After Prohibition ended in 1933, Jensen opened Pete's Bar. The establishment is widely recognized as the first bar to legally open in Duval County following the repeal of Prohibition.

Jensen also served Neptune Beach in several civic roles, including town marshal, tax collector, assistant fire chief and acting town clerk.

Pete's remained associated with the Jensen family for decades before the property was sold in December 2021.

The bar also found a place in popular culture. Author John Grisham featured Pete's Bar in his 2000 novel "The Brethren." Grisham was a frequent visitor when his son played youth baseball in the Jacksonville area.

Pete Jensen Way honors founder

The historical marker will add to other state markers documenting Beaches-area history, including Flagler's Continental Hotel, Jimmy Doolittle's 1922 record flight and a World War II German U-boat landing.

Neptune Beach Preservation credited the owners of Pete's Bar, the City of Neptune Beach, Nancy Jensen, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd and the Beaches Museum with helping secure approval for the marker.

The recognition follows another honor for Pete Jensen.

In November 2025, Neptune Beach designated a portion of First Street as Pete Jensen Way. The new street sign was unveiled during the 40th annual Petesgiving celebration on Thanksgiving morning.

The Florida Division of Historical Resources' standard historical markers feature white lettering on a dark blue background with the Florida Heritage emblem.

Neptune Beach Preservation has not announced a specific date for the marker's unveiling.