Historical Markers in
Palm Beach County, Florida

1885-1893 1913 Boynton Elementary School 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens/Ann Weaver Norton Atlantic Avenue Crossing Barton Memorial Park Cemetery Beach Dedication Belle Glade 1928 Bethesda Memorial Hospital Bethesda-By-The-Sea Boca Raton Army Air Field B-34 Crash Boca Raton Town Hall Boynton Woman's Club Burt Reynolds Ranch Cason Cottage Celestial Railroad Chapel Of The Holy Spirit Cinquez Park City of Delray Beach Clematis Street Commercial Historic District Coastal Patrol Base No. 3 Cocoanut Grove House ConnersÂ’ Toll Highway Dade County State Bank Building Del-Ida Park Historic District Del-Ida Park Historic District Delray Beach Hotel Delray History Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark Memorial DuBois Pioneer Home Duck's Nest El Cid Neighborhood Episcopal Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea Everglades Research Evergreen Cemetery Evergreen Cemetery F.E.C. Railway Depot, Boca Raton First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall First Schoolhouse First Town Hall Flagler Memorial Bridge Flagler Park Flamingo Park Flamingo Park Historic District Florida East Coast Railway Station Former State of Florida Board of Health Laboratory Ft. Jupiter - Jupiter Lighthouse Grandview Heights Historic District Henry Morrison Flagler Historic Banyan Trees Historic Jupiter School Hurricane of 1928 Mass Burial Site Industrial High School J. B. Evans House James Homestead and First Jewell Post Office Jesup's Battle John D. MacArthur Jupiter Inlet Midden I Jupiter Inlet Shipwrecks Jupiter Lighthouse L.M. Davis Elementary School Lake Park Town Hall Little Red Schoolhouse Marina Historic District Marina Historic District Military Trail Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church & Cemetery Nassau Park Historic District North Ocean Boulevard North Ocean Boulevard Northwest Historic District Northwood Road Historic District Old Dade County Court House Old Floresta Historic District Old Northwood Historic District Old School Square Historic District Old St. Ann's Church Orange Grove House of Refuge No. 3 Palm Beach High School Palm Beach Junior College Palm Beach Junior College Paramount Theatre Pioneer Memorial Park Powell's Battle Royal Poinciana Hotel Sanborn Square Sawfish Bay Sea Gull Cottage Seaboard Air Line Station Site of the Palm Beach Pier South Lake Worth Inlet Tennessee Volunteers and Militia Camp The Barefoot Mailmen The Delray Wreck The Historic Kelsey Gates The Jupiter and Lake Worth Railway The Royal Poinciana Chapel The Sanborn Wall U.S. Jupiter Life Saving Station United States Life Saving Station West Palm Beach Fishing Club West Settlers Historic District West Settlers Historic District World War II U.S. Naval Housing Building "Dive Into History"
The Spanish established the first mission in Florida, Mission San Luis de Apalachee, in 1633. The mission was located near present-day Tallahassee and was home to a large Native American population.
Florida random facts
Palm Beach County, located in the southeastern part of Florida, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes like the Jaega and Seminole people, who relied on fishing and hunting for sustenance. European contact began in the 16th century when Spanish explorers arrived in the region.

In the late 19th century, Palm Beach County experienced a major transformation with the arrival of Henry Morrison Flagler. Flagler, an American industrialist and real estate developer, extended his Florida East Coast Railway to the area and constructed luxury hotels, including the iconic Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach. This led to an influx of wealthy tourists and laid the foundation for the development of many coastal towns and cities in the county.

During the early 20th century, Palm Beach County saw significant agricultural growth, particularly in citrus farming. The favorable climate and fertile soil made it an ideal location for cultivating citrus fruits, and the county became known as a major citrus producer. The industry flourished until the devastating freezes of the 1980s, which severely impacted the local citrus economy.

In recent decades, Palm Beach County has evolved into a thriving metropolitan area. It has become a popular destination for retirees, professionals, and tourists alike, drawn by its beautiful beaches, vibrant arts and culture scene, and year-round sunny weather. The county is also home to numerous golf courses, shopping centers, and upscale residential communities, making it an attractive place to live and visit. Today, Palm Beach County continues to grow and diversify, combining its rich history with modern development.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Palm Beach County, Florida.

  • 1873: Palm Beach County was established on April 30 as part of Dade County.
  • 1909: West Palm Beach was incorporated as a city on November 4.
  • 1911: Palm Beach County was separated from Dade County on April 30, becoming the 47th county in Florida.
  • 1920: Palm Beach County was hit by the Great Miami Hurricane in September.
  • 1928: The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane devastated the region, causing widespread flooding and loss of life.
  • 1959: The first major bridge connecting Palm Beach Island to West Palm Beach was completed.
  • 1966: The Palm Beach International Airport opened in July, providing improved air transport for the county.
  • 1985: The Scripps Research Institute established its headquarters in Palm Beach County.
  • 2008: The Great Recession affected the county, resulting in a decline in real estate values and economic activity.