Palm Beach |
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Address
360 S. County Road
Palm Beach, FL 33480
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Phone
(561) 838-5400 |
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History
According to early settler accounts, Palm Beach received its name from a shipwreck named the "Providencia." The ship washed ashore in January of 1878 with a load of cocoanuts bound from Havana to Barcelona. Early settlers lost no time claiming salvage and planting the cocoanuts which were not native to South Florida in an effort to launch tropical South Florida on a commercial cocoanut industry. Henry M. Flagler, a millionaire industrialist and owner of the Florida East Coast Railway, began buying acres of land on the island of Palm Beach. Many early homesteaders found themselves very wealthy, as orders had been given to buy "at any price." The town was incorporated on April 17, 1911 and soon began long range plans to develop and protect the island paradise. In 1929, the Garden Club of Palm Beach joined the Town and formally sponsored the preparation of a Town Plan. After over 70 years of graceful evolution, the Town today has a Strategic Plan and and a Comprehensive Plan which guide continuing efforts to preserve the quality and beauty of Palm Beach.
Description
Palm Beach is a barrier island sixteen miles long located 65 miles north of Miami. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean and to the west is the Intracoastal Waterway, which separates Palm Beach from the cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth. The year-round population is 10,000 and the seasonal population is about 30,000. Palm Beach is the land area closest to the Gulf Stream which produces lush gardens, palm lined beaches, and an outstanding marine environment. Palm Beach's natural beauty and variety of cultural and social activities gives the community aura and mystique, attractive to both permanent residents and visitors. The Town of Palm Beach provides a full range of municipal services including Police and Fire-Rescue protection, sanitation, recreation, street and road maintenance, planning, zoning and building and general administrative services. The Town employs approximately 394 full and part time employees.
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