A History of Palm Beach
The first permanent pioneers to what would become Palm Beach arrived in 1872. The story goes that in 1878 the shipwrecked “Providencia” washed ashore with a load of coconuts from Havana bound for Barcelona.
The coconuts were planted and Palm Trees, a nonnative plant to southern Florida, grew. The Town of Palm Beach was born.
Henry Flagler, one of the three founders of Standard Oil, was the true father of Palm Beach and is responsible for developing the island town. The pioneer era ended in the 1890s with the opening of his Royal Poinciana Hotel and the arrival of his Florida East Coast Railroad. Palm Beach was now established with businesses and hotels and had residents and visitors escaping the cold winter temperatures of the northern states.
In 1907 telephone service came to the island (18 phones), and in 1911 the town was incorporated. After many years of quiet progress and growth, Palm Beach is now legendary for its quality of life, small-town character, and beauty.
It boasts architectural treasures designed by Addison Via Mizner, Maurice Fatio, Marion Syms Wyeth, and John Volk. Palm Beach has buildings on the National Register of Historic Places including Via Mizner, Whitehall, Flagler’s home, now a museum, The Breakers Hotel, and Mar-a-Lago. In addition, the island has had two “Winter White Houses” and has been home to two Presidents, John F. Kennedy and Donald J. Trump.
We are so full of history and activities here in the Town of Palm Beach. Please visit us to learn more about our Palm Beach Chapter, NSDAR, and our town.