History of West Palm Beach, Florida, USA

(West Palm Beach) When Henry Morrison Flagler first came here in 1893, he called the Lake Worth region "a veritable paradise" and decided upon a dual plan for the area.
He would turn Palm Beach into a resort and he would build a commercial city across the lake for his workers. That "worker city" would become beautiful West Palm Beach.

Flagler had his city laid out in November 1893, naming the streets for native plants.
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November 1894 - West Palm Beach incorporated.
On November 5, 1894, 78 people met at the "Calaboose" (the first jail and police station located at Clematis St. and Poinsettia, now Dixie Hwy.) and passed the motion to incorporate the Town of West Palm Beach in what was then Dade County (now Miami-Dade County). This made West Palm Beach the first incorporated municipality in Dade County and in South Florida.
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1906
West Palmbeach, a banking city and resort of Dade co., Fla., on the Florida East Coast R., adjacent to Palm-beach. Pop. in 1900, 564.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1928 - Hurricane
Tell of Seeing Storm.

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Muskoff, Jr., are back in Jacksonville after watching the storm that bore down on West Palm Beach, wrecking buildings and homes and wounding their occupants. The storm struck West Palm Beach Sunday afternoon and the Muskoffs reached Jacksonville Monday night after a drive over miles of debris-littered highways.
"The town," said Mr. Muskoff, a young Jacksonville attorney, "was one mass of debris. The streets were so littered as to make them almost impassible.

"We were driving up from Miami and reached West Palm Beach shortly after noon. A brisk wind was blowing. Suddenly a roof of a building went sailing through the sky. I looked around for the most secure hotel I could find and drove there. When we got out of the car we could not walk against the wind.

"As we entered the hotel there were many others already there. The crowd stood about, looking outdoors. By this time a drenching rain had set in. There could be heard crashes and... Read MORE...

The West Palm Beach metropolitan area was the fourth fastest growing area in the United States between 1950 and 1960.

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(West Palm Beach) The first TV station WIRK (Channel 21) came to town in 1953.

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1955 - January 1 - WEAT TV channel 12 in West Palm Beach, FL (CBS) begins

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On October 29, 1966, the main terminal at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach was dedicated.

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West Palm Beach is the 7th wettest city in the U.S., averaging 62.33 inches of precipitation per year.

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Here's a list of places to go and things to do in West Palm Beach:
Norton Museum of Art: Start your visit with a dose of culture at the Norton Museum of Art. It features an impressive collection of American, European, Chinese, and contemporary art.

Clematis Street: This historic street in downtown West Palm Beach is a hub of activity. It's lined with restaurants, bars, boutiques, and often hosts live music and events.

CityPlace: An outdoor shopping and entertainment complex, CityPlace offers a variety of shops, dining options, and a multi-screen movie theater.

Flagler Museum: Explore the opulent Gilded Age mansion of Henry Flagler, a pioneer in the development of Florida's East Coast. The museum offers a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the early 20th century.

Downtown West Palm Beach Waterfront: Stroll along the beautiful waterfront promenade, where you can enjoy the view of yachts, dine in waterfront restaurants, or simply relax in the park.

Norton Sculpture Garden: Adjacent to the Norton Museum, this lush garden is a serene spot ... Read MORE...