Old cemeteries like this one contain important information about history and genealogy. Pine Crest Cemetery also has one of the blue historic markers in front of it that is part of the Florida Historical Marker Program. The Historical Marker program is one of the Division of Historical Resources' most popular and valued public history programs. It raises awareness of Florida's cultural history while enhancing the enjoyment of historic sites for residents and tourists. The blue historic markers tell the stories of the people and places that were important to Florida's history and they can be found in front of churches, schools, buildings, roads, archaeological sites, battlefields, and cemeteries like this one. Historic marker F-1235 was installed in 2023 by The City of Lake Worth Beach and the Florida Department of State.
When Lake Worth was incorporated in June 1913, it had 700 residents along with a post office, several stores, a church, bank, school, and a newspaper. However, there was no cemetery and all burials were made in Woodlawn Cemetery in West Palm Beach or privately.
In 1915, the Lake Worth government appointed a committee to find a suitable location for a cemetery. The committee found a 9.2 acre parcel in the southwest corner of town. Lake Worth purchased it for $10 per acre for a total of $920.00. The first recorded burial took place in July of 1923. The city held a contest to name the cemetery and compromised between two suggestions, Pine Crest.
The original cemetery was Sections A through P. In 1935, the American Legion requested that the city designate a portion of Pine Crest Cemetery as a memorial plot for service men. In response the city created section I which was set aside for veterans at no charge, with standard government markers. American Legion Post #47 donated the labor and material for sidewalks. Veterans from the Spanish American War, and World War I and II were laid to rest here.
In 1949, the city acquired more land on the western edge of the cemetery and created sections 1 through 30. Until 1970 the cemetery was segregated with only whites buried here while black residents were buried nearby at I. A. Banks Memorial Park, formerly Osborne Municipal Cemetery. In 1971 Pine Crest cemetery was enlarged again to a total of 17.25 acres and 8,625 burials. Section BB is for infants. A time capsule was buried on the grounds in 1976 by the Lake Worth Centennial Committee and the Lake Worth Civic Council. It will be opened July 4, 2076.
Pine Crest Cemetery is very peaceful and well maintained. Despite the age, the graves look well tended and there are beautiful flowering royal poinciana and plumeria trees. The city recently added a fence for added security. read more