NEW BOOK CHRONICLES THE HISTORY OF WEST PALM BEACH
PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 25, 2006)-Arcadia Publishing adds to its Images of America series with West Palm Beach: 1893 to 1950 ($19.99/ 128 pages/ softcover) by Lynn Lasseter Drake and Richard A. Marconi in conjunction with the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. The book illustrates the history of the area from its official designation as a city through WWII, and includes some photographs that have never previously been circulated.
Drake is a historical researcher and genealogist specializing in southeast Florida pioneer history. She also authored Jupiter, another title in the Images of America series. Marconi has been with the Historical Society since 1999, initially as an intern and volunteer. He is now on staff as the Society's education coordinator.
"This history of West Palm Beach is fascinating at so many levels," said Marconi. "Lynn and I chose more than 200 images to illustrate the stories about local people who had an impact on the growth and success of the city, and the tragic events such as hurricanes, fires and floods that defined the fate of the community."
West Palm Beach was established in 1894, two decades after pioneers first arrived in the wilderness at Lake Worth. In 1893, Henry M. Flagler, Standard Oil magnate and Florida railroad mogul, finalized plans to extend his Florida East Coast Railroad south in order to turn Palm Beach into a winter playground for the rich. West Palm Beach was designed as the mainland commercial and residential support for his new resort. From its humble beginnings, it has become Palm Beach County's largest city and the seat of government.
"Our hope is that readers become enamored with West Palm Beach's past, and recognize why we want to preserve it for the future," Drake adds.
The Historical Society is currently underway with plans for the much-anticipated, county-wide history museum - the first in Palm Beach County - on the first and second floors of the 1916 Courthouse in Downtown West Palm Beach. The building is currently undergoing an $18.5 million restoration and as part of its agreement with the county, the Historical Society will offer free museum admission to all Palm Beach County residents. The design plans feature approximately 3,000 square feet of permanent exhibits and 700 square feet of temporary exhibits, each reflecting the influence of the many cultures in Palm Beach County's diverse history, from the earliest Native American inhabitants to the present day. A central component to the museum experience will be a visit to the seat of the county's judicial and legislative beginnings, the courthouse's two-story, 2,897-square-foot historic courtroom, located on the third floor in the center of the building.
For more information about the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, visit www.historicalsocietypbc.org, or call (561) 832-4164.
About Arcadia Publishing:
Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Its mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America's people and places. West Palm Beach: 1893-1950 is available at area bookstores, independent and on-line retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at 888.313.2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.
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