The City of Lake Worth was named for Major General William Jenkins Worth who was born March 1, 1794. Worth entered active service during the War of 1812 and promoted to the rank of major by the time he was 20 years of age.
When he was 26, Worth became the Commandant of West Pont where he taught military tactics for eight years. His resignation in 1828, was formally announced by Cadet Robert E. Lee.
In 1841, Worth was named the tenth commander appointed to close the war in Florida with the Seminoles. On April 9, 1831, the final battle took place against Halleck, the last resisting chief of the Indians. Worth was honored by the State of Florida for his military skill and dedicated service. He went on to distinguish himself in Texas and Mexico during the Mexican War. Fort Worth, Texas is also named for this military hero.
The development, of what is now Lake Worth, had its beginnings in the early 1900’s. The Palm Beach Farms company, with its vice-president, Harold Bryant, purchased thousands of acres of Everglades land in 1909. In 1910, this company bought a large tract of costal land. Harold Bryant, his brother F.E. Bryant, and William Greenwood were hired as agents to promote this new land. These agents developers concentrated on the section now known as Greenacres City. They sold five-ten acre tracts of fruit and truck land for $250. As an added inducement, a free lot in the town on the shores of Lake Worth was offered with each tract purchased.
Platted in January, 1912, as the town of Lucerne, the area of the giveaway lots became so popular that the area to the west was virtually abandoned until the late 1920's. Because a post office was now necessary, and there was another "Lucerne" in Florida, the founders changed the name to Lake Worth, honoring General Worth of Seminole Indian War fame. The city was incorporated on June 4,1913 .
Between April and December of 1912, the early settlers changed the townsite from a "sand lot in a clump of wild palmetto land with 38 residents" to a town of 308 permanent residents, 77 completed buildings and 48 more under construction.” It became known as the “Wonder City” when, in this short time they formed a chamber of commerce, a school, a library, and a Women’s Club. The Lake Worth Herald, Lake Worth’s oldest business, printed its first issue in August, 1912.
On May 18, 1914, electric lights were turned on for the first time. Settlers in the community before that date, and their descendents, are known as the Pioneers of the City of Lake Worth.
A 30 mile roadway opened in 1917 connection Palm Beach to Delray Beach: however, its shortcoming was no access from the mainland portion of Lake Worth to this new linking road. The solution to this problem was a bridge bond issued for $55,000. The structure restrictions (by the government) forced an additional bond for $30,000 to meet building requirements.
With all obstacles overcome, the bridge opened on a beautiful Fourth of July in 1919. At 3,200 feet, it was the longest toll-free bridge along Florida’s east coast set on 23000 concrete pilings. Although long, the bridge was so narrow two cars of that day barely had enough room to pass. One resident chose to ride her bike across the bridge rather than “mess up” the bow on the back of her dress while sitting in an automobile.
The devastating Hurricane of 1928 moved the bridge off its pilling and was replaced by a second bridge at an estimated cost of $250,909. The second bridge is still in used,, wider and more modern bridge was built alongside in 1973.
The mainland portion of the city is situated along a wide stretch of Intercostals Waterway with the same name as the city, Lake Worth. The municipal beach complex, located on Palm Beach Island, is a focal point for the residents and visitors who take advantage of the sun, surf, sand, dining and shopping. This complex is called the Casino. It was built in 1922. It has seen many architectural changes, especially after the 1947 hurricane.
In the heart of the Palm Beaches, Lake Worth is cooled by the easterly tropical prevailing Trade winds and warmed by the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream, “Nature’s Beauty Path”, comes closer to the shore than any point in the United States. It is in Lake Worth where the quality of life is seen in its people.
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