Boynton Beach Historical Society »

Author Archives: Ginger Pedersen

The Last Cows of Boynton – Part 1

By | | ,
4 Comments

I guess there has to be a last of everything, and in Boynton’s proud dairy history, these are indeed the last. The last cows of Boynton are in their 12 acre pasture, tucked between a gas station, a development, and Knuth Road. You may have driven past them on Boynton Beach Boulevard. I often take children there to feed the cows carrots, so they can see what

Cow in the Winchester Pasture

Cow in the Winchester Pasture

a real cow looks like. One evening we were lucky enough to meet Mrs. Winchester, who came by to check on them. There was a nostalgic gaze on her face as she told me of the days when thousands of cows grazed across Boynton’s prairies. She laughed as she told me her first name – Elsie! A perfect name for a dairyman’s wife.

These last cows hold the secret of all those that came before them. Boynton’s flat drained sandy and muck soils were ideal for cattle grazing, and in the 1920s,  the Model Land Company encouraged people to enter the dairying business.  The first large-scale dairy had some very lucky cows, who enjoyed an ocean view. In 1920, Ward Miller decided that the lands that today make up Briny Breezes would make a fine dairy. Being near the ocean, diseases brought by ticks would be less of a problem. In 1923, he built the Shore Acres Dairy, along with owning the Miller-Jordan Dairy on Federal Highway, while W.S. Shepard had the Royal Palm Dairy.

Another large dairy in the early days of Boynton dairying was Bertana Farms, owned by A.E Parker and on the Dixie Highway. He was also part owner of the Alfar Creamery in West Palm Beach, and a former city manager of West Palm Beach; much of the milk from Boynton was processed through the Alfar Creamery. Harry Benson and E.L. Winchester also had their dairys on the eastern side of Boynton.

As land along the ocean and the Dixie highway became more valuable, dairies began to pop up along the Military Trail, Lawrence Road and what would eventually become Congress Avenue (Congress was not put through Boynton until 1965). One of earliest and most famous dairy families of Boynton were the Weavers. Their dairy was located along the Military Trail, where the Cypress Creek Golf Club is today. M.A. Weaver served as mayor of Boynton for many years, and their house still stands in Lake Boynton Estates. His sons had land north and south of Boynton Beach Boulevard on Military Trail, all of which was eventually sold for developments and shopping. Stanley Weaver was also very much involved in Boynton, serving as mayor in the 1950s and serving longer than anyone else ever has on the Lake Worth Drainage District Board. The Boynton Canal is now named in his honor.
Next installment – The Last Cows of Boynton – Part 2

Boynton’s First Fire Engine

By | |
1 Comment

For this blog, we are pleased to have a second installment from guest blogger, Michael Landress of the Boynton Beach Fire Department. – BBHS Editors

In June 1925, a representative from the American La France Fire Engine Company traveled to Boynton Beach to visit with Fire Chief Charles Senior. The chief was so impressed with the presentation, he requested Mayor Knuth to call a special meeting for later that evening. The mayor and other council members agreed to meet, and shortly thereafter, a deal was struck. The company was trying to sell a fire engine that was involved in an accident in Perry, Florida.

Original hand-cranked siren from the 1910 American La France Fire Engine Company purchased by the Boynton Beach Fire Department in 1915

Original hand-cranked siren from the 1910 American La France Fire Engine Company purchased by the Boynton Beach Fire Department in 1925

The 1910 model fire engine had been returned to the factory and was completely restored to its original condition. The Town of Boynton Beach decided to purchase the truck for the remaining payments, thus ushering in the fire apparatus era.

The fire engine was basically a 500 gallon per minute pumper, complete with a 30 gallon auxiliary soda acid chemical tank, right hand drive and solid rubber tires. The truck was equipped with 1000 feet of 2 ½” hose and 200 feet of 1” chemical hose. Other features included two 10-feet by 4-inch suction hose, an axe and a pry bar.

It was delivered to Boynton Beach on July 4, 1925 by Ray Larabee. He was the chief engineer and mechanic for American La France at that time and drove the truck to Boynton Beach from Jacksonville, most likely using the old auto trail known as the Atlantic Highway. The 300 mile trip began prior to the opening of U.S. Highway 1, and must have been an onerous journey for Larabee, traveling on those unforgiving tires under the searing Florida sun.

It is interesting and remarkable to note that this fire engine was still in service during the 1950s. It was eventually decommissioned after 30 years of service, and then sold to a gentleman in Miami, Florida in 1957 for $350.00.

At the time of the sale, Fire Chief Senior was quoted as saying; “The truck is a rough rider with solid rubber tires and an engine that purrs like a Cadillac.”

The hand-crank siren was removed prior to the sale and is currently on display at Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Department’s Fire Station No. 5.

Michael Landress

Michael Landress

Michael Landress is a native Floridian and novice historian. He has spent the previous 15 years as a professional firefighter/paramedic for the City of Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Department. He holds a BA from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida and his hobbies include; spending time with his two teenage sons, writing, photography, supporting the Miami Dolphins and saltwater fishing.

 

Cappy, The Boynton Beach Fire Department’s Amorous Dalmatian

By | |
2 Comments

For this blog we are pleased to have a guest blogger, Michael Landress of the Boynton Beach Fire Department. His tale of Cappy is sure to bring a chuckle – BBHS Editors

In 1969, the Boynton Beach Fire Department adopted a five-week old Dalmatian puppy. The firemen decided to hold a contest for the local children around town to name the frisky pup. The winning submission, “Cappy,” was submitted by six-year old Michele Jones.  Tiny Miss Jones was awarded a $25 savings bond for her effort and the rest is history.
Cappy seemingly responded well to his new name and enjoyed his accommodations at the fire house. He always loved riding on the gasoline-powered fire engines, but shied away

Cappy the Dog

Cappy the Dog

from the fire trucks that burned diesel. Cappy could be gruff at times and loathed bath water, but for the most part he was fun to have around.  Early in his career he would ride beside the firemen on the fire engine. Upon arrival at the fire scene, he would stand guard over the truck — posing like a tail-wagging, spotted gladiator.
There are many accounts of Cappy’s shenanigans, including the time he wolfed-down 50 radishes during one sitting and his well-documented disdain for veterinarians. However, none of those dog-tales can quite compare to when he began noticing the female of the species.
With his instincts and hormones in high gear, he would peruse the warm night air like a kind of canine Romeo searching for romance and tomfoolery.  One evening, while lurking in the shadows, Cappy unlawfully entered a screened enclosure and proceeded to mate with a Westminster Kennel Club quality German Sheppard named Loki.
The owners of the show pooch were not too pleased with Cappy or the fire department. Loki’s owner was quoted in the Boynton newspaper as saying; “Cappy . . . he’s some fireman . . . he runs around starting his own fires!”  The city was forced to pay the veterinarian costs for Cappy’s late night rendezvous.  Cappy did eventually father a whelp named Daisy. Soon after, his roaming ways and Boynton days ended.
Cappy retired from the Boynton Beach Fire Department in 1976 to live on a farm in north Florida. It is unknown if Cappy ever found true love, but this writer is confident he lived out his dog days in style

 

Michael Landress

Michael Landress

Michael Landress is a native Floridian and novice historian. He has spent the previous 15 years as a professional firefighter/paramedic for the City of Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Department. He holds a BA from St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida and his hobbies include; spending time with his two teenage sons, writing, photography, supporting the Miami Dolphins and saltwater fishing.

First Day of School!

By | |
4 Comments

As another school year welcomes its students, the 1939 Boynton first graders below walked into a very different school – blackboards that were black, no air-conditioning, no back-packs, no cafeteria. When was the last time you saw a little boy wearing overalls? The wooden stairs at the 1913 Schoolhouse (celebrating its centennial this year) still bear the marks of spurs from the boots of the little boys. If most of these kids were six years of age in 1939, that means each will be turning 80 years old this year, if they still grace this earth. If you know anyone in this picture, please email us at boyntonhistory@gmail.com.

1939 - First Grade at Boynton Elementary

1939 – First Grade at Boynton Elementary

Boynton could have become “Little Norway”

By | |
Leave a comment

You just never know what you will come across when you search through the old newspapers online. One of strangest Boynton tales was a scheme to bring over 100 Norwegian families to farm lands along Military Trail. In 1923, Professor Alfred Minsos of Christiana, Norway was scouting out Florida lands where the Norwegians could live. He

February 1923 Palm Beach Post Article

February 1923 Palm Beach Post Article

contacted the Model Land Company, which was Henry Flagler’s land development company. Frank Pepper, one of Model Land Company agents, knew of some land in Boynton that the owner, D.P. Council, wished to sell because he no longer could afford the taxes. The land was located on the southeast corner of Woolbright Road and Military Trail, and later was Herb Keatt’s dairy and today is the Indian Spring development. Mr. Council was even willing to give 40 acres of the land if the Model Land Company would extend the road to the colony, probably following today’s Woolbright Road path.

In a February 1923 letter to Prof. Minsos, T. T. Reese of West Palm Beach wrote “I want to say a word regarding our summer climate – they will find it delightful in every way. We, at times, have insects, but I have never found them a menace to happiness or comfort.” I can say with certainty that they would not have found the summer climate delightful.

But the Norwegians never came to Boynton. No documentation was found if they went to somewhere else in Florida, and I didn’t find any other information on Professor Minsos. Lutefisk , a strange fish dish where the fish is preserved in lye and smells real bad, could have become a local delicacy. Maybe it’s a good thing they didn’t come.