The first boom – and the first bust

This promotional post card from the 1920s advertised Boynton’s first big “boom time” development – Lake Boynton Estates. Its original plat is four pages, and the development would have spanned the area from Boynton Beach Boulevard to Woolbright, just west of the Seaboard Coastline railroad tracks. Speculators built a few houses in the 1920s, only three of which survive to this day. Only one side of the original three sets of gates survives, on the east side next to the railroad tracks. The ones depicted in the postcard were at the Boynton Beach Boulevard intersection, then called Lake Street. Later the lots were sold and houses are still being built in the area on lots that were never developed.

Lake Boynton Estates

Lake Boynton Estates

 

Remaining gate at Lake Boynton Estates

Remaining gate at Lake Boynton Estates

 

 

School’s out!

With today being Palm Beach County’s last day of school, we bring you this wonderful old photo of some students who attended the Boynton High School in its last year of being used as a high school. We see the shadow of the coconut palm, the great 1940s era car, and smiling students! The last day of school was as joyful then as it is now.

Who can identify the make and model of the car?

Boynton High School - 1949

Boynton High School – 1949

The Shopkeeper

As I was looking through the past issues of The Historian newsletter, I came across a photo that I found fascinating. Sometimes a photo can truly show us how much the world has changed. The photo depicts Terrance Ward in his small grocery store. If you look carefully, there is much detail in the picture, and a few mysteries! What is hanging on the post in the middle of the picture – bananas? On the back shelf we see some good old-fashioned galvanized wash tubs and several neat rows of canned goods. On the counter to the right we see a scale and more stacked cans, and several open bins with produce. Near Mr. Ward’s feet we see some open crates with what look like apples.

What other details do you see?

Terry Ward in his grocery store.

Terry Ward in his grocery store.

Welcome to our blog!

This is the inaugural blog for our society as we embark on new adventures in bringing historical information to the public. The blog will feature original research as well as reprints from past Historical Society newsletters to provide some unique insights into the area’s history. Readers are also welcome to email ideas for stories.

Stay tuned!