In 2014 Palm Beach acquired 33 acres of scrub habitat that was once part of the now closed A. G. Holley State Hospital property. The hospital was built in 1950 as the Southeast Florida State Sanatorium. It was also known as the Southeast Tuberculosis Hospital. This was the third of four tuberculosis hospitals built in Florida between 1938 and 1952 and was the last of the American sanatoriums dedicated to treating tuberculosis. With the discovery of drugs to treat tuberculosis patients outside of the hospital, patients declined and by 2012, the hospital was abandoned and eventually demolished.
The Lantana Scrub Natural Area is ideal for a hike, photography, or wildlife watching. The preserve contains Florida scrub and scrubby flatwoods habitats. The rare scrub habitat was formed on top of sand dunes when the sea level fell. There aren't very many of these communities left because since they were on high land and dry they were the first to be used for commercial development. There is less than 2 percent of the original scrub habitat left in Palm Beach County.
Plants that can be found in the preserve include pine and saw palmetto, Florida rosemary, powder-puff lichen, and hog plum. Wildlife that has been recorded here include the threatened gopher tortoise, golden-winged skimmer, eastern phoebe, and swallowed-tailed kite.
There are a few parking spots in front of the preserve. The ground is sand and uneven. The loop path is almost a mile around the perimeter. Sadly there was glass and other garbage strewn on the ground. Shame on the people who use a natural preserve as their personal garbage dump. Another negative is that the entire trail is in full sun. There is no shade and after about 5 steps in I was soaked in sweat. I would recommend coming during the winter. Five stars for keeping the area in a natural state but it was so hot today that even the gopher tortoises were staying inside. read more