I am a fan of 1920's Mediterranean Revival architecture and love the El Cid neighborhood in West…read morePalm Beach. There are 281 historic structures located in the boundaries of Flamingo Drive, South Flagler Drive, Dyer Road and South Dixie Highway. El Cid was one of the few areas of Florida without any Native American history because the area was isolated from the rest of Florida by the Everglades. The first permanent resident to this western shore of Lake Worth was Benjamin Lainhart who built a cabin near Barcelona Road with the help of his cousin William. Lainhart started the first commercial pineapple farm and the land in this area was mainly pineapple farms. Disease ruined the pineapple industry in the early 1900's. Henry Flagler brought the railroad in 1894 and the town of West Palm Beach became incorporated causing a population explosion. In the 1920's, the Florida land boom resulted in population doubling again. Jay Phipps, the son of Andrew Carnegie's partner in U.S. Steel created the neighborhood with the old pineapple fields. He named it El Cid after Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar (1040-1099), a Spaniard who led Castilians and Iberian Moors to conquer Valencia in 1094. Cid is an Arabic term meaning lord. Between 1923 and 1926 upscale Mediterranean Revival and Mission style homes were sold on lots but the land boom bust after hurricanes and the Great Depression halted further building. WWII brought in new people and construction that filled in the empty lots. After a downturn in the 1960's, this neighborhoods beautiful homes and proximity to the water and downtown makes it highly sought after today. Historic homes range in the one million to three million range. The very first home built in El Cid in 1922 at 282 Barcelon Rd, is currently on the market for $2,695.000. One of the most well known homes and the only one you can tour in this neighborhood, is the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. This house turned museum once belonged to artist Ann and her husband Ralph Norton. Ralph founded the Norton Art Museum in West Palm Beach which is where he met his second wife Ann. The El Cid District is listed on the local, State, and National Register of Historic Places. The neighborhood maintains and supports the landscaping with dues from it's El Cid neighborhood association. There is a marker along the Lake Worth Lagoon describing the historical importance of this neighborhood.

I enjoy exploring the architecture of the historic districts of West Palm Beach. There are twelve…read morehistoric districts mar\ked by blue historical markers. These historic districts were created when Henry Flagler brought the railroad to West Palm Beach. The Belair Historic District is between South Flagler Drive and South Dixie Highway. It is bounded by Plymouth Road on the south and Pilgrim Road to the north. Belair was developed from 1925 to 1935 as a neighborhood where the tradesmen and real estate salesmen who helped build and develop Palm Beach County lived. In 1885 South Carolina author James Woods Davidson acquired the area as part of a Homestead Act. He in turn sold the land to early pioneer, Englishman Richard Hone. Hone turned it into a pineapple plantation and he and his wife Mary lived in a frame vernacular home at 211 Plymouth Road. In 1902 Hone was shot to death at the age of 43 during a storm while writing a letter at his dining room table as his wife sat beside him. One of Hone's employees was caught a few days later and charged with the murder. He was hung for the crime in Miami. In 1985 the grave of Richard Hone and his infant sons Edward and Robert were discovered beneath the Norton Museum of Art where they still lay today. After the Hone murder, the property was sold in 1923 to William and Sophie Ohlhaber to grow coconut palms and ferns. George Curie platted the land for a subdivision and sold off in lots. The Ohihaber's owned the first house built, a mission-style home at 205 Pilgrim. In 1947 Hone's house was bought by Max Brombacher, Henry Flagler's chief engineer, and it remains in the Brombacher family today. Homes in this neighborhood were built after WWI during Florida's land boom years in the 1920's and early 1030's. Architectural styles include Mediterranean Revival, Mission Revival, and Wood-Frame and Masonry Vernacular style houses. Belair became West Palm Beach's fourth historic district in August 1993. Historic Marker F-1201 was installed in 2022 by the South End Neighborhood Association and the Florida Department of State. You can find it in the swale next to the lake Worth Lagoon.

While walking around the Northwood Road Historic District in West Palm Beach, I spotted this blue…read morehistorical marker, part of Florida's Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most recognizable public history initiatives. These markers commemorate significant people, places, and events throughout Florida and can be found along roadways, at archaeological sites, battlefields, colleges, schools, churches, historic cemeteries, and historic districts like this one. Historical Marker F-1067 was erected in 2019 by the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Florida Department of State. Northwood Road was platted in the early 1920s during Florida's land boom years by the Pinewood Development Company. Today, the historic commercial district encompasses the businesses along Northwood Road between Broadway Avenue to the west and Dixie Highway to the east. Six buildings within the district date to the 1920s, while most were constructed during the second half of the 1940s, with a handful dating to after 1953. Much of this construction boom was a result of the resurgence in residential development following World War II. Most of the buildings are one story with a few two-story structures often feature apartments on the upper floors. Storefronts are typically constructed of glass, brick, concrete block, and stucco, with many of the brick facades painted to match the concrete sections. The extensive use of stucco reflects the influence of Mediterranean Revival architecture and post-World War II construction, both of which are important elements of this architectural districts character. Today, the Northwood Road Historic District, better known as Northwood Village is one of West Palm Beach's most charming commercial areas. Its historic architecture provides a backdrop for businesses that include art galleries, live music venues, locally owned restaurants, cafes, and vintage shops. One of my favorite stores is a Circa Who which sells an eclectic vintage furniture with an emphasis on Palm Beach style and the Day by Day Shoppe which offers a bohemian mixture of new and used items. Along the streets you will see colorful murals. The neighborhood's architecture includes Mediterranean Revival and Mission-style design influences associated with the work of prominent Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner and other master craftsmen of the era. In 2016, Northwood Road was added to the West Palm Beach Register of Historic Places as a historic district, helping preserve the architectural character and history of this unique part of the city. I always enjoy stumbling across these historical markers while exploring South Florida. They offer a glimpse into the often forgotten stories behind the neighborhoods we pass through every day. for fans of historic architecture, Northwood Village is a great neighborhood to explore..

In the 1920s, Florida was relatively undeveloped. Over the 1920s and 1930s, there was a migration…read moreof workers who settled in Florida. Today, Historic Northwood Historic District is a quaint historic commercial district. Love the charming quaint atmosphere. Its distinguished architecture--Mediterranean Revival and Mission style--reflect the historic development era of the mid-1920s made famous by Addison Mizner throughout South Florida. Builders associated with the famed architect carried his vision of design and scale from Palm Beach to the eastern shore of Lake Worth where Northwood began. Many architects and builders of the 1920s, such as John Volk, William King and Henry Harvey, built their historic homes near this commercial district here. Nice to be able to see a reminder of the indelible mark they left on Northwood and the historic buildings that have been completely restored in recent decades in the surrounding area.

This clock tower is the centerpiece of the beach across from the two rock columns with Worth Ave…read moreengraved at the top. Plenty of tourists today waiting for their chance to take that memorable picture. The fifteen foot tall tower is made out of coquina and coral stone. The center lower dome of the tower could hold seven people comfortably.

The Worth Ave Clock is directly on the beach with lots of people fighting for a chance to take a…read morepicture. The clock time was actually correct so it's working. There is a faded bronze plaque inside the clock tower that gives info about the Palm Beach pier in 1925. Nice pictures here on the beach.

Majestically standing along the picturesque Lake Trail on Palm Beach Island is the most famous tree…read morein Palm Beach, the Historic Kapok Tree. One of several historic landmarks along the trail, this massive tree is definitely worth stopping to see. The kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a tropical rainforest tree known for its towering height, enormous buttress roots, and fluffy, cotton-like fibers found inside its seed pods. Native to the tropical Americas and West Africa, kapok trees can grow to heights of 150 to 200 feet in their natural environment. Palm Beach's historic kapok tree is believed to date back to the 19th century and is estimated to be nearly 200 years old. The tree may have been planted in 1892 by the garden supervisor or a groundskeeper for Henry Flagler's grand Royal Poinciana Hotel or possibly even earlier by a Palm Beach pioneer like E. M. Brelsford. Today the tree stands approximately 60 feet tall and has a trunk circumference of more than 30 feet. Located near the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum and behind the Royal Poinciana Chapel, it's hard to miss this gigantic tree. Park in the Flagler Museum lot and follow the path to the left of the museum entrance, along the fence. I enjoyed imagining all this tree has witnessed in the past 200 years as palm beach sprang up around it. You have to see it in person to really appreciate it's beauty and size.

The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is one of the oldest structures in Palm Beach but it is not in it's…read moreoriginal location. It started out as the tea house for the Royal Poinciana Hotel that Henry Flagler built in Palm Beach in 1894 when he extended his railroad. That is the one building I most wish I could see today. It was a 6 story gilded age Georgian hotel that Flagler built as a winter retreat for wealthy northerners. Pictures of it remind of the Grand Floridian, Disney's most expensive hotel. The Grand Floridian was modeled on the Victorian era beach resorts built along Florida's east coast during the late 19th century and early 20th century, just like the Royal Poinciana. When Flagler built the hotel there was nothing in Palm Beach and that hotel is credited for building the City of Palm Beach. The hotel was packed during the social season from mid December to February 23. It had to be enlarged to accommodate the crowds and at one point was the largest wooden structure in the world. Eventually the Florida land boom bust caused by hurricanes and the Great Depression caused the hotel to close and it was torn down in 1935. All that remains is a historical marker where it once stood. I have looked at some of the china and other relics from the Royal Poinciana in Whitehall, Henry Flagler's mansion turned museum in Palm Beach. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is the only building that I know of left of the hotel. This little building has had quite an adventure since being saved from destruction with the rest of the hotel. Through the years it has been a guest house, part of a gambling casino, artist's studio, a caretaker's cottage, and a gift shop. It first became a chapel in 1967 when it was purchased by former Hypoluxo Mayor James Brown who moved it to a mobile home park and named it the Minerva Chapel after his mother. When the trailer park was sold the chapel was donated to the Holy Spirit Anglican Catholic Church in Palm Springs. In August 2011, it was moved to the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels when they merged with the Church of the Holy Spirit. The building was renamed the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. In 2013 the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels and the Florida Department of State placed a historical marker in front of the chapel. It is now used for services, weddings, and special events. I loved finding this little structure and it looks like it is being lovingly cared for. Hopefully this tangible piece of Palm Beach past is home at last.

Seagull Cottage is the oldest home in West Palm Beach. It was built in 1886 by Denver railroad…read moredeveloper R.R. McCormick. First called McCormick's cottage he built the staircase with mahogany from a ship wreck and stained glass. Henry Flagler was quite taken with pictures of it remarking when he first saw it "Why, I didn't know there was anything that beautiful south of Rockledge." Flagler purchased it to live in during the winter with his wife until Whitehall was completed in 1902. When Henry owned it it was called Croton Cottage for all of the crotons that were growing around it. When Henry Flagler moved out it was owned by a railroad executive. In 1913 it was named Seagull Cottage and moved to the ocean where it became a guest cottage for the Breakers and sat in anonymity until the 1980's. In 1982 former mayor Earl E.T. Smith heard the cottage was going to be demolished so he purchased it for $1 and paid $80,000 to move it to within 300 yards of it's original location. Overseen by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach from 1984 to 1986, $600,000 was spent restoring it to it's 1886 aesthetic. Today the cottage is part of the Royal Poinciana Chapel on Cocoanut Row. I have passed the church many times before turning into Whitehall and never knew the cottage was here. The historical mark is facing the lake trail. It is within steps of Whitehall. It's a shame that is not a part of the Flagler museum. The house was used as a Parrish house and today is only used for Sunday school or community events. There are no private tours. The downstairs has a salon, dining room and sitting room and the house is filled with period pieces including Victorian wall paper and a 120 year old mirror. A larger hall was built to meet the needs of the church so the future fate of the house is still to be decided.

The founder of the City of Palm Beach Gardens was John D. MacArthur…read more When he created his new community he wanted it to have a garden theme with streets named after flowers and trees. In the late 1960's MacArthur heard about someone who was going to cut down a banyan tree that was damaging her home. MacArthur arranged to have the tree moved to his new city new and pl;anted at the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard, formerly Garden Boulevard. Since the tree weighed 75 tons and was 60 feet high the city needed six months to prepare the tree for the move to its new location. On the morning of April 26, 1961 the tree was ready to be transplanted. Two cranes on two cargo trailers were sent to bring the tree to it's new home five miles away. Unfortunately disaster struck when a feed mill truck burst on the road cleared for the tree. Ten thousand gallons of molasses were dumped raising the height of the roadway. As it traveled the tree snapped several railway signal lines causing crossing gates to close. While the tree was crossing the train tracks one of the cables supporting it snapped. Workers had to saw off limbs of the tree to allow the blocked 1:30 train to get back on it's way. Just after 2 PM the tree was dropped into it's prepared hole. The Rev. A. P. Snyder of St. John's Evangelical Church said a prayer over the tree and MacArthur threw the first shovel of dirt over the roots of the tree. The entire process cost $30,000 and 1,008 hours of manpower. One year later, a second forty ton tree was moved from Lake Park next to the first tree. When people criticized Mr. MacArthur for spending so much to move the tree he replied "I can buy anything but age. This tree will be the centerpiece of our entrance, and while we could plant a little one there, I wouldn't be around 80 years from now to see it as it should be." Moving the tree gave MacArthur the nickname Banyan Mac. Although he was a developer, MacArthur was able to claim that "I built Palm Beach Gardens without knocking one tree down, I moved the biggest tree ever moved in Florida." MacArthur would go on to eventually move more than 200 trees including a sixty foot Norfolk pine that he replanted at the Colonnades Hotel on Singer Island and four more banyans which he floated on a barge from West Palm Beach. Today the landmark banyan trees have a limb span of half an acre. The trees are featured on the Palm Beach Gardens city shield. In 2007 Alexandre Renoir, a great-grandson of artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, presented the City of Palm Beach Gardens with a painting of the trees. A historical marker was installed across from the trees in 2011.