The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is one of the oldest structures in Palm Beach but it is not in it's…read moreoriginal location. It started out as the tea house for the Royal Poinciana Hotel that Henry Flagler built in Palm Beach in 1894 when he extended his railroad. That is the one building I most wish I could see today. It was a 6 story gilded age Georgian hotel that Flagler built as a winter retreat for wealthy northerners. Pictures of it remind of the Grand Floridian, Disney's most expensive hotel. The Grand Floridian was modeled on the Victorian era beach resorts built along Florida's east coast during the late 19th century and early 20th century, just like the Royal Poinciana. When Flagler built the hotel there was nothing in Palm Beach and that hotel is credited for building the City of Palm Beach. The hotel was packed during the social season from mid December to February 23. It had to be enlarged to accommodate the crowds and at one point was the largest wooden structure in the world. Eventually the Florida land boom bust caused by hurricanes and the Great Depression caused the hotel to close and it was torn down in 1935. All that remains is a historical marker where it once stood. I have looked at some of the china and other relics from the Royal Poinciana in Whitehall, Henry Flagler's mansion turned museum in Palm Beach. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is the only building that I know of left of the hotel. This little building has had quite an adventure since being saved from destruction with the rest of the hotel. Through the years it has been a guest house, part of a gambling casino, artist's studio, a caretaker's cottage, and a gift shop. It first became a chapel in 1967 when it was purchased by former Hypoluxo Mayor James Brown who moved it to a mobile home park and named it the Minerva Chapel after his mother. When the trailer park was sold the chapel was donated to the Holy Spirit Anglican Catholic Church in Palm Springs. In August 2011, it was moved to the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels when they merged with the Church of the Holy Spirit. The building was renamed the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. In 2013 the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels and the Florida Department of State placed a historical marker in front of the chapel. It is now used for services, weddings, and special events. I loved finding this little structure and it looks like it is being lovingly cared for. Hopefully this tangible piece of Palm Beach past is home at last.

While walking around the Northwood Road Historic District in West Palm Beach, I spotted this blue…read morehistorical marker, part of Florida's Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most recognizable public history initiatives. These markers commemorate significant people, places, and events throughout Florida and can be found along roadways, at archaeological sites, battlefields, colleges, schools, churches, historic cemeteries, and historic districts like this one. Historical Marker F-1067 was erected in 2019 by the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Florida Department of State. Northwood Road was platted in the early 1920s during Florida's land boom years by the Pinewood Development Company. Today, the historic commercial district encompasses the businesses along Northwood Road between Broadway Avenue to the west and Dixie Highway to the east. Six buildings within the district date to the 1920s, while most were constructed during the second half of the 1940s, with a handful dating to after 1953. Much of this construction boom was a result of the resurgence in residential development following World War II. Most of the buildings are one story with a few two-story structures often feature apartments on the upper floors. Storefronts are typically constructed of glass, brick, concrete block, and stucco, with many of the brick facades painted to match the concrete sections. The extensive use of stucco reflects the influence of Mediterranean Revival architecture and post-World War II construction, both of which are important elements of this architectural districts character. Today, the Northwood Road Historic District, better known as Northwood Village is one of West Palm Beach's most charming commercial areas. Its historic architecture provides a backdrop for businesses that include art galleries, live music venues, locally owned restaurants, cafes, and vintage shops. One of my favorite stores is a Circa Who which sells an eclectic vintage furniture with an emphasis on Palm Beach style and the Day by Day Shoppe which offers a bohemian mixture of new and used items. Along the streets you will see colorful murals. The neighborhood's architecture includes Mediterranean Revival and Mission-style design influences associated with the work of prominent Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner and other master craftsmen of the era. In 2016, Northwood Road was added to the West Palm Beach Register of Historic Places as a historic district, helping preserve the architectural character and history of this unique part of the city. I always enjoy stumbling across these historical markers while exploring South Florida. They offer a glimpse into the often forgotten stories behind the neighborhoods we pass through every day. for fans of historic architecture, Northwood Village is a great neighborhood to explore..

In the 1920s, Florida was relatively undeveloped. Over the 1920s and 1930s, there was a migration…read moreof workers who settled in Florida. Today, Historic Northwood Historic District is a quaint historic commercial district. Love the charming quaint atmosphere. Its distinguished architecture--Mediterranean Revival and Mission style--reflect the historic development era of the mid-1920s made famous by Addison Mizner throughout South Florida. Builders associated with the famed architect carried his vision of design and scale from Palm Beach to the eastern shore of Lake Worth where Northwood began. Many architects and builders of the 1920s, such as John Volk, William King and Henry Harvey, built their historic homes near this commercial district here. Nice to be able to see a reminder of the indelible mark they left on Northwood and the historic buildings that have been completely restored in recent decades in the surrounding area.

A bascule drawbridge allowing the yachts and sailboats to pass on the intercoastal. Based on quick…read moreresearch, the bridge, also known as the North Bridge, use may be temporarily by the Secret Service since Pres Trump's Mar-a-Lago home is nearby. Today we crossed over the bridge and viewed incredible intercoastal water on both sides. Lots of huge boats nearby and massive homes in the distance.

If one is interested in the history of this bridge, one could surf the web and learn some…read moreinteresting facts about the bridge. Recently, the Flagler Memorial Bridge was redesigned and reconstructed to maintain traffic for this active causeway to Palm Beach. The original Flagler Memorial Bridge was constructed in 1927. The new design provides a rolling lift span over the widened channel. The community had requested that the innovative bridge commemorate their famous historic resident, Henry Flagler, and provide a traditional visual appearance. I traveled over this bridge often to visit the Northside of Palm Beach Island where I enjoy an easy bicycle ride through the neighborhood and shorelines.

Seagull Cottage is the oldest home in West Palm Beach. It was built in 1886 by Denver railroad…read moredeveloper R.R. McCormick. First called McCormick's cottage he built the staircase with mahogany from a ship wreck and stained glass. Henry Flagler was quite taken with pictures of it remarking when he first saw it "Why, I didn't know there was anything that beautiful south of Rockledge." Flagler purchased it to live in during the winter with his wife until Whitehall was completed in 1902. When Henry owned it it was called Croton Cottage for all of the crotons that were growing around it. When Henry Flagler moved out it was owned by a railroad executive. In 1913 it was named Seagull Cottage and moved to the ocean where it became a guest cottage for the Breakers and sat in anonymity until the 1980's. In 1982 former mayor Earl E.T. Smith heard the cottage was going to be demolished so he purchased it for $1 and paid $80,000 to move it to within 300 yards of it's original location. Overseen by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach from 1984 to 1986, $600,000 was spent restoring it to it's 1886 aesthetic. Today the cottage is part of the Royal Poinciana Chapel on Cocoanut Row. I have passed the church many times before turning into Whitehall and never knew the cottage was here. The historical mark is facing the lake trail. It is within steps of Whitehall. It's a shame that is not a part of the Flagler museum. The house was used as a Parrish house and today is only used for Sunday school or community events. There are no private tours. The downstairs has a salon, dining room and sitting room and the house is filled with period pieces including Victorian wall paper and a 120 year old mirror. A larger hall was built to meet the needs of the church so the future fate of the house is still to be decided.

Pioneer Memorial Park is also known as Lakeside Cemetery. It is the final resting place of the…read morepioneer families of West Palm Beach. The cemetery was maintained by the Lakeside Cemetery Association until it became too small to meet the needs of the community. Woodlawn Cemetery opened across the street on land deeded by railroad tycoon Henry Flagler, and the Lakeside Cemetery Association deeded the land to the city in 1921. The Association had three requirements for the land, it be kept as a park, a plaque naming the pioneers buried there be maintained, and that the Lake Worth Pioneers Association be allowed to hold their meetings there. When Ralph and Elizabeth Norton wanted the land to build an art museum the association dropped the requirement of keeping it as a park. If families could be contacted for permission than the graves were moved across the street to Woodlawn. Norton Museum was built on top of the remaining graves. The 1902 grave of Richard Hone who was murdered and his two infant sons lie in the northwest corner of the gallery in a crawl space under the auditorium. A plaque was placed on the Norton Gallery by the Palm Beach Arts League who built the museum. It is dedicated "in memory of those whose names appear below." It is unclear which of the names on the plaque of the 40 people still remain beneath the museum. If you visit the cemetery all you will see are the signs. There is a historical sign posted outside with the cemetery information. Many people pass it everyday without bothering to read it. Although it is not a secret that bodies lie under the museum not many people know about it. This is not an uncommon phenomenon in South Florida. The African-American section of Lakeside Cemetery now lies under the Flamingo Park neighborhood. So next time you are at the museum pause for a moment of respect for the Palm Beach. Pioneers who lay beneath your feet.

Discovered this old cemetery and this is where many of the pioneers were buried. Many have been…read moremoved but forty remain.The list of pioneers from 1873 to1886 are. H Hammon W Moorse H Dye C Moorse H Pierce M Dimick F Dimick J McFarland E Bradley V Spencer A Wilder J Brelsford W Lainhart F Lennon E Dimick I Hendry A Geer C Lane D Brown G Potter M Spencer R Moore B Lainhart C Haight U Hendrickson C Cragin E Brelsford G Gale G Charters J Porter J Hoagland O Porter E Heyser J White W Lainhart R Potter J Davidson J McKenna E Gale A Garnett R McCormick G Rowley

This clock tower is the centerpiece of the beach across from the two rock columns with Worth Ave…read moreengraved at the top. Plenty of tourists today waiting for their chance to take that memorable picture. The fifteen foot tall tower is made out of coquina and coral stone. The center lower dome of the tower could hold seven people comfortably.

The Worth Ave Clock is directly on the beach with lots of people fighting for a chance to take a…read morepicture. The clock time was actually correct so it's working. There is a faded bronze plaque inside the clock tower that gives info about the Palm Beach pier in 1925. Nice pictures here on the beach.

In the 1900's this park was part of a bridge from Palm Beach to the mainland. In the early 1970's…read morethe four lane Robert A. Harris Memorial Bridge was built and sits here today. Pieces from the old 1937 bridge were used as a fishing pier for many years. In 2011 The pier was demolished and sunk off the coast of the Snook Islands as an artificial reef. Improvements were made to the park in September 2017 including a new sea wall, sidewalk, native plant landscaping, and a floating dock that sits in the Lake Worth Lagoon. The park runs from one side of the bridge and goes underneath it to the other side. Now the park is a popular fishing area for the residents and visitors to Lake Worth. There are also benches if you just want to sit and take in the beautiful view. If you are interested in learning more about the park construction project, the Lake Worth Lagoon, or the history of Lake Worth there is an informative display at the edge of the parking lot.

Epoch is an acronym for expanding and preserving our cultural heritage. It is a 501(c)3 non-profit…read moreorganization in the historic West Settlers District of Delray Beach. It was founded by Vera Farmington after she retired from a 34 year teaching career. She grew up in the area in the 1930's. She saw that there was a lack of knowledge about contributions by black leaders in the community and she wanted to make sure that their history was remembered. Vera joined the city's Historic Preservation Board in 1994 and helped archivist Dorothy Patterson gather historical documents. Soon she realized that there needed to be a place to store this important information and she created Epoch with other people in the community for this purpose. The group was able to create a historical district and apply for community redevelopment grants. In 1997 the opportunity arose to purchase the former home of the late Solomon D. Spady, a prominent African American educator and community leader in Delray Beach from 1922 to 1957. The mission revival house was slated for destruction and Epoch purchased and renovated the home. They opened a museum in July 2001 and it is the only African American Cultural center in Palm Beach County. EPOCH operates out of the Spady house. Epoch offers several programs during the year. The Ride and Remember Bus Tour takes place once a month and leaves from the Spady House and visits all 5 of the historical districts in Delray Beach. They also have a Youth Cultural Empowerment Camp, a Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, and a Kwanzaa and Juneteenth celebration. Dates and times can be found on the events calendar on their website. The Spady House is open to visitors Tuesday through Thursday from 11-4 PM.