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Florida History Books
History of Florida State and Palm Beach County
This page is dedicated to my favorite Florida history books centered around Palm Beach County Florida and South Florida.
The history of Florida State dates back prior to Florida having a railroad, but when Henry Flagler brought the railroad to South Florida and Palm Beach County in 1894, it changed the history of Florida State forever, and good things began to happen in Palm Beach County and South Florida!
The Florida history books below are filled with this eventful history and many more memories that changed South Florida forever and made Palm Beach County the vacation destination what it is today...
Around Boynton Beach Postcard History of Florida Author: Janet DeVries
Boynton Beach named for an early entrepreneur who arrived by boat in 1894, the tiny settlement of Boynton Beach emerged around the luxury hotel Major Nathan S. Boynton built on the beach.
This enterprise brought carpenters, truck farmers, and railroad workers. Pineapple plantations, tomato fields, and citrus groves flourished. Shell shops, drift fishing, roadside fruit stands, and motor courts transformed the landscape.
In Postcard History Series: Around Boynton Beach, author Janet DeVries uses more than 200 postcards from her own collection and others to show a carefree lifestyle long gone.
Around Boynton Beach Postcard History of Florida features picture postcards, some over 100 years old, of Boynton Beach and neighboring Briny Breezes, Ocean Ridge, Hypoluxo, and Gulf Stream.
About the Author: Janet DeVries is archivist and curator of collections at the Boynton Beach City Library and a trustee for the Boynton Beach Historical Society.
In 2005, DeVries co-authored Images of America: Boynton Beach with M. Randall Gill.
A portion of the author's proceeds from this book will benefit the Schoolhouse Children's Museum.
Total pages: 128
Published in 2006 by Arcadia Publishing
Images of America: Boynton Beach Authors: M. Randall Gill and Janet DeVries
Boynton Beach, located on the Atlantic coast of South Florida, is known as the “Gateway to the Gulf Stream.” Ernest Hemingway once called these great ocean currents the last wild country left.
Fishermen who study navigational charts understand that Boynton Beach is unique in that it is the closest community to the Gulf Stream. Just minutes from the Boynton Inlet, water reaches a depth of 800 feet.
Major Nathan Boynton came to the area in 1894, built a hotel, and envisioned a prosperous future for the idyllic village of Boynton Beach.
Today Boynton Beach celebrates its diverse population, ideal location, and a rich and fascinating history that includes Henry Flagler’s railroad, land booms, hurricanes, shipwrecks, and steadfast farmers.
About the Authors: Author M. Randall Gill is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Princeton Theological Seminary and now serves as a Presbyterian minister. This volume was authored in conjunction with the Boynton Beach City Library with research assistance from Janet DeVries, library associate and archivist.
The authors’ proceeds benefit the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum to encourage children and families to learn about the history of our area.
Total pages: 128
Published in 2006 by Arcadia Publishing
Images of America: Sport Fishing in Palm Beach County Author: Janet DeVries
Palm Beach County is settled along 47 miles of beautiful Atlantic coastline. Palm Beach County has long been a mecca for sport fishing enthusiasts and for the rich and famous.
Graced with a mild climate and bounded with waters nourished by the warm Gulf Stream current, Palm Beach's coastal waters host a rich reserve of marine life.
Featured in this captivating retrospective book on the history of the sport fishing industry and tales of legendary captains, devoted weekend anglers, and wealthy sportsmen.
Bringing to life the sailfish tournaments, fish fries, beauty pageants, and parades of a bygone era, this work is a tribute to the hardworking men and women who built this seaside settlement into a haven for sport fishermen.
Follow the evolution of fine fishing boats and learn about the advancements in marine conservation while enjoying the natural beauty of this tropical oasis.
Showcased within the book are over 200 vintage images collected from the local library's historical archive, as well as rare photographs from over 30 local sources, including the West Palm Beach Fishing Club.
About the Author: Janet DeVries is a local historian and archivist for the Boynton Beach City Library. Her titles include Around Boynton Beach, Boynton Beach (with Randall Gill), and Delray Beach in Vintage Postcards (with Dorothy W. Patterson).
All of the author's royalties from the book will be donated to the Schoolhouse Children's Museum Fishing Lore exhibit.
Total pages: 128
Published in 2006 by Arcadia Publishing
Historic Photos of Palm Beach Author: Seth Bramson
Palm Beach is known all over the world as a place synonymous with the Good Life. Named for the beautiful beaches and palm trees lining the area, Palm Beach was founded in 1909.
As the epicenter of fashion for the elite social season, Palm Beach has attracted tourists and new residents alike for many years!
For everyone from Hollywood stars to heads of state, from literary and artistic icons to millionaires and international business magnates, the allure of this lush area has been irresistible.
The perfect coffee-table book, Historic Photos of Palm Beach contains nearly 200 photographs collected from Florida's top historic archives.
