Timeline
Exploring the history of Palm Beach’s built environment

Pioneer Era

1845

Florida became the 27th state in the union and is settled throughout the 1870s.

Historical map of the State of Florida, circa 1845.

Illustration of the Providencia, the ship that ran aground near Palm Beach in 1878, bringing coconuts that gave the island its famous palm trees.

1878

The Providencia ran aground, providing Palm Beach with the non-native coconut trees for which it is still so renowned.

Vintage postcard of Plaza Circle, Palm Beach, Florida.

1886

Little Red Schoolhouse, the only schoolhouse in Palm Beach and Dade County opens.

Historic waterfront view of a Mediterranean Revival building in Palm Beach, Florida.

1886

Sea Gull Cottage, the oldest extant home in Palm Beach is built in the Victorian Shingle Style.

Architectural sketch of a formal garden and fountain in Palm Beach, Florida.

1886

E.R. Bradley's Beach Club, an exclusive gambling club that operated for almost fifty years is established. It closed in 1945 and Bradley willed the casino grounds to the Town of Palm Beach for a public park, now known as Bradley Park.

Boom & Bust

1901

Whitehall, Henry Flagler's home is built.

Gate entrance to Whitehall, the Gilded Age estate of Henry Flagler, Palm Beach, Florida. Vintage postcard.

1911

The Town of Palm Beach incorporates to prevent a "land grab" by the city of West Palm Beach. The town passes its first ordinance-making it illegal to throw garbage into Lake Worth, the Atlantic Ocean, or any property in the town.

Historic waterfront view of a Mediterranean Revival building in Palm Beach, Florida. Early 20th century.

Building under construction along the waterfront in early Palm Beach, Florida. Early 20th century.

1919

The Everglades Club, designed by architect Addison Mizner opens on Worth Avenue.

Vintage postcard of Plaza Circle, Palm Beach, Florida.

Members of the Palm Beach Art Jury, appointed in 1929 to review the style and construction of all buildings in Palm Beach.

1929

1929

Town Council appoints the Art Jury to review the style and construction of all buildings in Palm Beach. The five members included: Maurice Fatio, Addison Mizner, Marion Sims Wyeth (architects), H. Halpine Smith (engineer), and Charles Perrochet (landscape architect).

The 1929 Plan of Palm Beach, rendered by Bennett, Parsons & Frost, Consulting Architects. Prepared by the Garden Club of Palm Beach and approved by the Town Council.

The 1929 Plan of Palm Beach, prepared by the Garden Club of Palm Beach and approved by the Town Council, provides insight into how the Town made plans for its increasing population and businesses. The Plan correlated with the City Beautiful movement, one of the most important movements in American landscape architecture, it promoted the construction of public parks for improved public health and prestige. The Palm Beach Plan featured beautified streetscapes, a public bathhouse, and a botanical garden. Most of which was not built due to the Great Depression.

The Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce is adopted (previously known as the Palm Beach Business Association).

1930

Memorial Fountain, designed by Addison Mizner is completed in honor of Henry Flagler and E.N. “Cap” Dimick. Charles Perrochet served as the landscape architect.

Architectural rendering of the Memorial Fountain and surrounding landscape, designed by Addison Mizner in honor of Henry Flagler and E.N. "Cap" Dimick, with landscape architecture by Charles Perrochet. Completed 1930.