Published by The History Press
Charleston, SC
www.historypress.com
Copyright 2020 by Rosa Sophia
All rights reserved
Cover image of the Village of North Palm Beach, used with permission.
First published 2020
E-book edition 2020
ISBN 978.1.43966.972.3
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019956042
Print Edition ISBN 978.1.46714.311.0
Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is dedicated to North Palm Beach Village Clerk Melissa Teal (19582019).
It is also dedicated to Heavy Head, whose friendship I will always treasure (19352018).
And, finally, this book is dedicated to all those who built the Village of North Palm Beach into the community it is today.
CONTENTS
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE
Melissa Teal is one of the people to whom I dedicated this book. Because of her contributions, she also deserves a special tribute here. She served North Palm Beach as the village clerk for thirty years, and she was always available to answer questions and assist me. On July 19, 2019, Melissa suddenly passed away. Just a few weeks before, we had been corresponding via email. She helped me acquire many of the photos that you will find in this book.
When I recorded oral history interviews with North Palm Beach residents in the village hall, she made sure that we had a quiet meeting room to use. When I started digitizing the archives and making them available to residents online, Melissa provided valuable support. As the village clerk, she had a never-ending list of duties to attend to, but she always made time to answer my questions and assist me to the best of her ability. When I left the position, Lynn Holdenmy mothertook over as the village historian. Melissa always took time out of her busy schedule to help my mother whenever she had difficulties in scanning and digitizing archival materials.
Melissa was not only a tremendous support to me when I served as the village historian, but she also continued to help me after I left the position. I was still researching and writing about North Palm Beachs history, and Melissa was always there. I am eternally grateful for her continuous support of my mission to preserve village history. She will be greatly missed.
To learn more about the village and to look through the villages online archives, please visit: www.village-npb.org/221/Village-Historian.
This advertisement was published in the 1956 Parade of Homes Plan Book, which was sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Palm Beach County. Village of North Palm Beach.
FOREWORD
The Village of North Palm Beach is a community of about thirteen thousand year-round residents, and it swells to about twenty thousand during the winter season. North Palm Beach occupies some 5.8 square miles that include canals, bodies of water, parks, recreational facilities, an outstanding library and residential neighborhoods with houses that range from middle-income homes to multi-million-dollar waterfront mansions. Many of North Palm Beachs residents love boating and enjoy the villages 2.2 square miles of water, which include many miles of canals. The village is also home to a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, one of only two such municipal golf courses in the United States. And as these words are being written, the construction of a magnificent new clubhouse is nearing completion. As a center for golf, dining, swimming and tennis, the new clubhouse will be a family-oriented gathering place.
North Palm Beach has an interesting history that is often overlooked when it is compared to those of the larger communities around it. This book was written by Rosa Sophia, who served as the village historian of North Palm Beach from December 9, 2010, to March 27, 2014. This book brings the history of North Palm Beach to life, starting with the pre-history of the area and ending with events of the present day. Many eccentric and notable people have played key roles in the villages history, and this book brings them back to life for the reader. These individuals include Dr. Munyon, who built a health retreat on what is now Munyon Island; Harry Kelsey; Sir Harry Oakes; and John D. MacArthur, whose Foundation donated the land for John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. There are many other colorful characters whom you will learn about in this book.
It has been a highlight in my life to serve on the village council for the past fourteen years, including the four terms I served as the village mayor. Today, North Palm Beach is best described by its motto. It truly is the best place to live under the sun.
Dr. Darryl Aubrey,
mayor of North Palm Beach, Florida
PREFACE
The year was 2010 when I took a job as a clerk at the North Palm Beach Public Library. At this time, I also began studying Florida history. I had no idea I was about to embark on a journey that would lead me to write this book. One day, our reference librarian mentioned that the volunteer position of village historiana council-appointed jobmight be available, and she suggested that I apply. Although I grappled with feelings of being under-qualified, I did have a few ideas for revitalizing the history archives. Once Id given it some thought, I turned in an application and was called to a Tuesday evening council meeting. At the podium, I recited a speech that I had practiced, listing and explaining my ideas for rejuvenating the history office. I told the council that I felt it was important to digitize the archives so residents could easily look up historical information via the villages website. I also mentioned that the history office could raise awareness of the villages history through community outreach and a newsletter that would be distributed at the library. Afterward, the council voted, and I was appointed to the position of village historian.
I walked into the officethe village history archivesnot knowing where to begin. I networked with other historians and archivists in the area and asked them for their advice. I later joined the Society of Florida Archivists and the Gold Coast Archivists. I also asked for help from the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Once I consulted a number of helpful sources, I started digitizing the villages archives to the best of my ability. But most of all, I studied, learned and listened while serving in this position. I also regularly wrote a history newsletter, which I printed and distributed at the library, and I started a companion blog. Whenever I got a detail wrong, I received a pleasant phone call from a resident who was eager to share their information. Every mistake I made taught me something new and opened new doors. I have endeavored to make this book as comprehensive as possible. History is fluid, and were always learning new things. I suspect that I will learn things later that I wish I could have included herethere will always be more to share and more to absorb.
