Weston Florida

West Palm Beach, also known as West Palm, is the most populous city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida. According to the University of Florida's 2006 estimates, the city had a population of 107,617. West Palm has a much larger unincorporated population estimated at upwards of 250,000.^[1] The city's Urbanized Area has an estimated population of almost 1.3 million. West Palm's economy is currently ranked #4 in the Milken Institute Best Performing 296 U.S. Cities index.

It is the county seat of Palm Beach County^GR6, and one of the principal cities in the South Florida metropolitan area. The area is known as the West Palm Beach--Boca Raton--Boynton Beach MSA, which covers the entire Palm Beach County area. It is situated in the northernmost county of the South Florida metropolitan area. According to the 2006 Morgan Quinto Poll, West Palm Beach is the 14th most dangerous city in the United States. However, the metropolitan area is unranked in the same poll, indicating a lower crime rate in the city's suburbs and outlying areas. ^[2]

Demographics

As of 2000, speakers of English as a first language accounted for 72.49% of all residents, while Spanish made up 17.71%, French Creole was at 4.46%, and French made up 1.27% of the population.^[3]

History

Henry Flagler began buying land - paying $75,000 for the old Geer home in Palm Beach, which was then owned by R.R. McCormick of Denver, and $50,000 for a piece of E.M. Brelsford's land. Soon, the massive Royal Poinciana Hotel would rise on McCormick's land and Flagler's marble palace, Whitehall, would be built on Brelsford's. Across the lake, he bought a strip of land that stretched from Lake Worth to Clear Lake, paying $35,000 for Captain O.S. Porter's homestead and $10,000 for Louie Hillhouse's land. That $45,000 investment became West Palm Beach, the city Flagler founded for "my help." By now, South Florida's destiny was clear: Land was the hot commodity, and nearly everyone in town was trying to buy land and sell it.[2]

The city was founded by Henry Flagler as a community to house the servants working in the two grand hotels on the neighboring island of Palm Beach, across Lake Worth. The original spelling was "Westpalmbeach", but it was feared that the 13-letter word would be an ominous omen for the fledgling community. On November 5, 1894, 78 people met at the "Calaboose" (the first jail and police station located at Clematis St. and Poinsettia, now Dixie Hwy.) and passed the motion to incorporate the Town of West Palm Beach in what was then Dade County (now Miami-Dade County)[3]. This made West Palm Beach the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida. The town council quickly addressed the building codes and the tents and shanties were replaced by brick, brick veneer, and stone buildings. During the 1920s, the city grew rapidly during the Florida land boom, during which many historic structures and neighborhoods were built.

The city has a very rich history. Prior to the founding of Miami, West Palm Beach was a thriving cultural center. Originally, Henry Flagler intended for his Florida East Coast Railroad to have its terminus in West Palm, but due to a deep freeze, he decided to extend the railroad to Miami. For many years West Palm Beach and Miami were rival South Florida cities and they both thrived in the early 20th century. Although it was originally intended to be a settlement for the servants of the wealthy Palm Beach Island neighbors, West Palm became a thriving center in its own right. Pleasant City is a neighborhood in the original Uptown West Palm that had a thriving middle-class African-American population. This community still has a rich heritage, whereas many of the families have lived there for generations.

Pratt & Whitney, IBM, RCA and others helped put the city on the map in the late 60's and '70's. But now the focus was on the whole of Palm Beach County, not just West Palm Beach. The city was loving its position as the county's hub and heart. And so many other things were changing. Integration brought the end of Palm Beach and Roosevelt High schools and the beginning of a new high school, Twin Lakes (now Palm Beach Lakes Community High School).

In the 1960s, Palm Beach County�s first enclosed shopping mall, the Palm Beach Mall, and an indoor arena were completed. These projects led to a revival for the city. However, crime was a serious issue due to racial tensions and high vacancy rates. But following the 1970s, the city has undergone a renaissance as newcomers have rediscovered the city's historic areas, graceful new high-rises including Donald Trump's elegant �Trump Plaza�, and a resurgent downtown entertainment and shopping district called CityPlace. Clematis Street and CityPlace are some of the centers of West Palm Beach's nightlife.

Today West Palm Beach is once again a growing city. The skyline of the city beautiful is constantly changing. New residential buildings, condos, and attractions are common downtown, and an increasing number are being built. Once dilapidated single family homes are being renovated in many neighborhoods to accommodate the city's growing population. The city recently built a new convention center. A new downtown library and city hall funded by bonds are currently being built. This is all apart of a City Center, that will also include a waterfront park, photographic & arts center, and new shops. The city is hoping to shake off its rogue reputation and represent itself as a growing city within a major metropolitan area.

Historic Neighborhoods and Communities

West Palm Beach skyline from the north.

A part of a pedestrian walkway at CityPlace.

Clematis Street

Comeau Building, Clematis Street

Hibiscus Street, downtown.

Flamingo Park Historic Marker.

Bel Air Historic District - Developed from 1925 to 1935 as a neighborhood for tradesmen and real estate salesmen who helped develop Palm Beach County, some of Belair was originally a pineapple plantation owned by Richard Hone. Hones's frame vernacular house, built around 1895, still stands at 211 Plymouth Road. After Hone was murdered in 1902, his property was sold to George Currie, who created Currie Development Co. But before it was developed, the land was sold to William Ohlhaber, who raised coconut palms and ferns. Eventually, Ohlhaber platted the subdivision and sold off lots. The first house built in the subdivision was Ohlhaber's mission-style home at 205 Pilgrim. Ohlhaber's grandson said Ohlhaber bought the tract to provide dockage for his 90-foot yacht, but the yacht ran aground in the Gulf of Mexico and never reached Lake Worth. In 1947 Hone's house was bought by Max Brombacher, Henry Flagler's chief engineer, and it remains in the Brombacher family today. Belair became West Palm Beach's fourth historic district in August 1993.

Central Park - Central Park is a collective name for several subdivisions north of Southern Boulevard. It originally was part of the Estates of South Palm Beach (which went from Wenonah Place to Pilgrim Road east of Dixie Highway). Like other West Palm Beach neighborhoods, the Estates of South Palm Beach boomed after Henry Flagler's descent on Palm Beach. In 1884, James W. Copp, a bachelor in the boating business, borrowed $367.20 from Valentine Jones to buy the land. The ownership of what is now known as Central Park changed hands many times before being developed. Around 1919, the tropical wilderness was transformed into an exclusive neighborhood with curbed roads, sidewalks and a pier (at the foot of what is now Southern Boulevard). The neighborhood became part of West Palm Beach in 1926, and was named a city historic district in December 1993. In 1999 the neighborhood was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

El Cid - Noted for its Mediterranean revival and mission-style homes, El Cid developed in the height of Florida's real estate boom. In the late 1800's, most of the land north of Sunset Road was pineapple fields, but the crop dwindled in the early 1900's. Pittsburgh socialite Jay Phipps subdivided the old pineapple fields in the 1920's. He named it El Cid, after the celebrated Spanish hero, Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, who conquered Valencia in 1094. He was called "Cid", meaning "lord". El Cid became a city historic district in June 1993. In 1995 the neighborhood was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Flamingo Park - Originally a pineapple plantation, Flamingo Park was established by local contractors and developers, who saw the potential in this area -- one of the highest coastal ridge sections from downtown West Palm Beach to Miami. Some ridge houses even had ocean views from upper floors. Houses cost about $10,000 to $18,000 in the boom era, and many buyers were owners of shops and businesses on fashionable Dixie Highway nearby. Recently, residents rallied to have stop signs installed throughout the neighborhood and have banded together to ward off commercial and industrial zoning. Property values are rising as residents renovate and restore Spanish-style houses. Most of the homes in the neighborhood, developed from 1921 to 1930, are mission style, but nearly every style is represented. There are many Mediterranean revival-style houses along the high ridge line. Only two buildings in the historic district are known to have been designed by architects: 701 Flamingo Drive designed by Harvey and Clarke, and the Armory Arts Center designed by William Manly King. The neighborhood became a West Palm Beach historic district in January 1993 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Grandview Heights - One of the city's oldest neighborhoods still intact, Grandview Heights was built as an extension of Palm Beach Heights from around 1910 to 1925. Almost all of Palm Beach Heights and half of Grandview Heights was demolished in 1989 to make way for the proposed Downtown/Uptown project, which remains undeveloped. Grandview Heights originally attracted construction workers who helped build the luxury hotels, ministers and store owners. In recent years, residents rallied to stop random demolition of neighborhood homes. And they banded together to chase drug dealers and prostitutes from the neighborhood. New investors are helping bring back the neighborhood, which has one of the city's best collection of early craftsman-style bungalows, as well as some modest, Mediterranean revival-style homes. The neighborhood became a West Palm Beach historic district in 1995 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Mango Promenade - Mango Promenade became a West Palm Beach historic district in 1995 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Lies just south of Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Northboro Park- An expansion of Old Northwood, Northboro Park was mostly custom houses for upper-middle-class professionals. Most of the houses are Mediterranean revival, mission and frame vernacular. Developed from 1923 to 1940, the neighborhood became the city's second historic district (November 1992) and the historic designation may soon expand north to 45th Street. The oldest building in the neighborhood is Northboro Elementary School at 36th Street and Spruce, built in 1925 by DaCamara and Chace. The first home in Northboro Park is 418 36th St., built in 1923.

Northwest - West Palm Beach's first historic district to be included on the National Register of Historic Places (February 1992), the Northwest neighborhood was first settled in 1894, when the black community was moved from the Styx in Palm Beach to West Palm Beach. It also served as the city's segregated black community from 1929 to 1960 (along with Pleasant City). Northwest remains a predominantly black community but according to the city planning department, most middle- and upper-class blacks moved to other neighborhoods after desegregation. Tamarind and Rosemary Avenues were the commercial centers for blacks by 1915, but most commercial buildings have been demolished or remodeled so the architecture is no longer significant. There are still good examples of late 19th- and early 20th-century American bungalow/craftsman-style homes in this neighborhood, which also has mission, shotgun, Bahamian vernacular and American Foursquare styles. The Alice Frederick Mickens house, at 801 Fourth St., is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mickens was a philanthropist and humanitarian who promoted education for black youth. Another notable house is the Gwen Cherry house at 625 Division Ave. Cherry, Florida's first black woman legislator and a resident of Miami, inherited the house from relative Mollie Holt, who built the house in 1926. Now it is the Palm Beach County Black Historical Society. The Northwest neighborhood was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The next year the neighborhood became a West Palm Beach historic district in 1993.

Old Northwood Historic District- Old Northwood was developed from 1920 to 1927 -- the height of the city's real estate boom. The Pinewood Development Co., platted and developed the area. Old Northwood became a neighborhood of what was considered extravagant Mediterranean revival, mission and frame vernacular houses, at $30,000 to $36,000. The buyers were professionals, entrepreneurs and tradesmen. Among them was Dunkle, who was mayor of West Palm Beach. There are houses here designed by notable architects John Volk (best known for his Palm Beach houses), William Manly King (who designed Palm Beach High School and the Armory Arts Center) and Henry Steven Harvey (whose Seaboard Railroad Passenger Station on Tamarind Avenue is listed in the National Register of Historic Places). The neighborhood became a West Palm Beach historic district in 1991 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in June 1994.

Northwood Hills Historic District- On August 4th, 2003, the City Commission designated the Northwood Hills neighborhood as the 13th Historic District in the City of West Palm Beach. Northwood Hills comprises the area from 29th Street on the South to 39th Court on the North. The east side of Windsor is the Western boundary, and Greenwood Avenue is the Eastern boundary. The Neighborhood Association has worked several years to achieve the distinction of historic designation. This is the first district to be designated since 1996. Northwood Hills has a number of Mission Revival houses, a significant collection of Post-World War II architecture, a unique street layout, and one of the highest elevations in the City. The Northwood Hills neighborhood has also elected to allow the establishment of Bed and Breakfast establishments within the neighborhood.

Pleasant City

Prospect Park- Promoted as a high-end neighborhood patterned after the prominent Prospect Park district in Brooklyn, this area consisted of mostly smaller estates for prominent businesspeople and northern investors. The neighborhood has a high concentration of Mediterranean revival and Mission revival houses. It was developed from 1920 to 1935 and became a city historic district in November 1993.

West Northwood Historic District- Cashing in on the real estate boom, developers of West Northwood built speculative and custom houses for upper-middle-class professionals from 1925 to '27. Dominant architectural styles are Mediterranean revival and mission. Although the area was declining, that has reversed in recent years, as more investors buy and restore the houses. West Northwood became a city historic district in August 1993.

Education

Primary and Secondary Education

Public education is provided and managed by The School District of Palm Beach County which is the 11th largest school district in the US[4]. The district main office is located in unincorporated West Palm Beach. In addition to the public school there are more than 15 private schools in the city.[5]

Post-Secondary Education

Palm Beach Community College - is the oldest community college in Florida, founded in 1933. The original building housing Palm Beach Community College is in West Palm Beach, adjacent to the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts (on the site of the old Palm Beach High School), and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored and is once again being used by the college. The Community College now has four campuses in the county, with the main campus located in neighboring Lake Worth.^[4]

Palm Beach Atlantic University - is a four-year, private, university with approximately 3,200 students. The university has grown rapidly in the past ten years, and future growth is expected to continue. The expanding waterfront campus is located on seven blocks within the south end of downtown, and includes several historic structures converted to academic use. PBAU has added both a school of nursing and school of pharmacology. Rinker School of Business is one of the most respected business schools in Florida.

Northwood University - is a four year private business college offering bachelor and graduate degrees. The campus is located in the northwest part of the city and has approximately 1,000 students. Northwood University is a sister school to a main campus in Michigan. The majority of the universitys majors are concentrated toward careers in various facets of the automotive industry including a world renowned program in automotive marketing. The school also has a great deal of very well known benefactors including Amway Founder and Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos, famed builder and author Frank McKinney, Artist Thomas Kinkade, and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas.

Florida Culinary Institute - The school offers a variety of diploma and degree programs in Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Culinary Nutrition, Food and Beverage Management and International Baking and Pastry.

Lincoln College of Technology - Founded 1982 in the Palm Beaches, the West Palm Beach campus of Lincoln College of Technology (formerly New England Institute of Technology) has been helping students and business professionals realize their career goals and career aspirations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

South University - A business college, the campus is just minutes west of both Interstate 95 and downtown West Palm Beach. Bachelor's , associate's and academic programs offered.

Libraries

City - West Palm Beach�s public library sits on the end of Clematis Street. Prior to the library's construction in the 1960s, this site was a park - this gave a waterfront view to the famed Clematis Street. The city has plans to relocate the library a few blocks west, to the site of the former D+D building, and again reopen this area as a park.

County - The Palm Beach County Library System�s main library is on Summit Boulevard just outside the city limits.

Arts and culture

Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts - Since 1992, the The Kravis Center has provided the city a venue for world class performances in theatre, dance, opera, and music. The venue holds more than 800 events each year, with more than 400,000 people in attendance annually.

Norton Museum of Art - located just south of downtown, is the largest art museum in Florida and boasts many travelling exhibits that runs the circuit of world class museums. The Museum is internationally known for its distinguished permanent collection featuring 19th and 20th century European and American art, Chinese, contemporary art and photography. From its founding the Norton has been famous for its masterpieces of 19th century and 20th century painting and sculpture by European artists such as Brancusi, Gauguin, Matisse, Mir�, Monet, Picasso and by Americans such as Davis, Hassam, Hopper, Manship, O'Keeffe, Pollock and Sheeler.[6] The gallery also offers classes and seminars for children and adults.

The Carefree Theatre - (1940) in the historic Flamingo Park district had provided the city with various art house cinema shows and alternative music performances, however, the structure was severely damaged by Hurricane Wilma and has been closed indefinitely. The owners have re-opened the venue at a renovated church located further south on Conniston Road under a new name, The Theater.

Meyer Ampitheatre - An abandoned Holiday Inn was demolished in 1993 and transformed into the Meyer Amphitheatre, which schedules a myriad of events all year long including weekly live jazz performances and other musical venues. The coconut palm lined amphitheatre offers spectacular views of Lake Worth, the waterfront and Palm Beach beyond.

Respectable Street Cafe - West Palm Beach's answer to CBGBs. In the club's 20 year history they have hosted everything from up and coming local artists, Internationally renowned bands like Bo Diddley, Cheap Trick, Dick Dale, Death Cab for Cutie, MXPX and Fishbone, along with a bevy of seminal punk and alternative bands like Agent Orange, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, 7 Seconds and The Red Hot Chili Peppers when they were still only visible to to the Los Angeles Skater audience.

Festivals and Shows

SunFest - is the largest music, art, and waterfront festival in Florida. SunFest was founded in 1982 to draw visitors to the area during the �shoulder season�. Recognized as one of the best festivals in South Florida, SunFest enjoys an annual attendance of more than 275,000 people and has more than fulfilled the vision of its founders. Some artists who have performed are Harry Connick, John Mayer, Jon Secada, Ray Charles, Keb Mo, Lenny Kravitz, Dizzy Gillespe, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, No Doubt, Kenny G, Earth Wind and Fire, Cyndi Lauper and many others. The festival and the patrons that it attracts have a very positive impact on the community. The support of more than 3,000 volunteers ensures the festival�s success. SunFest is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.[7]

Palm Beach International Film Festival - The Palm Beach International Film Festival hosts filmmakers, celebrities, industry executives, and press from around the world. Attendance over the past two years has increased over 50 percent to nearly 40,000 attendees. PBIFF was founded in 1996 with the vision that a film festival would offer an exciting cultural venue for the community and be a tremendous fundraiser for educational film and television programs throughout Palm Beach County schools. The PBIFF has hosted a bevy of top celebrities and filmmakers including: Academy Award� Winners Adrien Brody, Anthony Hopkins, Tommy Lee Jones, Faye Dunaway, Dennis Hopper, Louise Fletcher and Michael Caine; Academy Award� Nominees Salma Hayek, Edward Norton, Robert Evans, Sylvester Stallone, Woody Harrelson and Burt Reynolds. Along with countless other legends, stars and filmmakers, including: Roger Moore, Faye Wray, Esther Williams, Anouk Aimee, Samuel L. Jackson, Cyd Charisse, Richard Zanuck, William Friedkin, Brett Ratner, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael Clarke Duncan and Rod Steiger.

Palm Beach Boat Show - One of the top ten boat shows in the country featuring boats, superyachts and accessories from every major marine manufacturer worldwide. The event includes more than 900 hundred boats, from inflatables to spectacular superyachts.

National Horse Show - the National Horse Show is America�s oldest horse show, firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports and social event calendars. The National Horse Show has now become one of America�s most prestigious outdoor horse shows. 2004 for the third year will be held at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL and will offer many of the top horses and riders the chance to rein supreme with National Honors.

City festivals - Weekly events such as Clematis By Night on downtown's Clematis Street offer live music and a festive atmosphere. Moonfest is held each year on the 500 Block of Clematis Street shortly before Halloween, and a seasonal downtown Green Market is held each winter on Saturdays on Second Street and Narcissus Avenue.

Transportation

Air: The city is served by Palm Beach International Airport, located in unincorporated West Palm Beach. The airport attracts people from all over the county as well as from the Treasure Coast counties to the north. In 2006 there were 6,824,789 passengers who passed through the gates of PBIA making it the 58th busiest airport in the nation.[8]

Highways: US Highway 1 passes though the city�s downtown, commercial, and industrial districts. Interstate 95 bisects the city from north to south with multiple interchanges serving West Palm Beach, including an entrance to Palm Beach International Airport. Florida's Turnpike passes through West Palm Beach further west, connecting with the western suburbs of Royal Palm Beach and Wellington. State Road 80, running east-west, is currently being converted from a surface artery to a partial expressway, which will run from Interstate 95 to State Road 7.

Rail: Tri-Rail commuter rail system serves the city from a historical station located on the west side of Tamarind Avenue, just east of I-95. Tri-Rail provides commuter rides north to Mangonia Park and south to Miami. Amtrak has daily trains arriving and departing to points north. CSX Transportation and the Florida East Coast Railway also serve the city.

Trolley: There is a free downtown trolley that provides transportation around downtown including Clematis, City Place and Waterfront districts of the city.

Bus: Greyhound Lines operates scheduled intercity bus service out of the train station on the west side of Tamarind Avenue. Palm Tran, the Palm Beach County municipal bus service, operates scheduled service throughout the city and the suburban areas of Palm Beach County.

Port: The Port of Palm Beach is located on the northern edge of the city limits. It is the fourth busiest container port in Florida and the 18th busiest in the continental United States. In addition to intermodal capacity, the Port is a major modal point for the shipment of various goods[9] as well as being the home to several small passenger cruise lines.[10]

Water Taxi: As a waterfront city there is specific need for water transportation between points in the city and surrounding areas. Waterway transportation is available to and from the downtown Clematis Street District, Sailfish Marina Resort, waterfront attractions, Peanut Island and special events.

Sports

West Palm Beach does not host any professional sports teams, but the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League play at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise 45 miles south west. Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins, the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association all play in Miami-Dade County 62 miles south. In the past West Palm Beach has hosted various professional teams such as Arena Football, minor league hockey and baseball as well as semi-pro football.

Spring Training Baseball - The Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals conduct spring training in suburban West Palm Beach in the town of Jupiter at Roger Dean Stadium. In the past West Palm Beach hosted the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos at the former Municipal Stadium and the Philadelphia Athletics at old Connie Mack Field.

Collegiate Athletics - Palm Beach Atlantic University competes in NCAA Division II basketball, baseball and soccer. PBAU has recently purchased a large track of land just west of downtown where there will be built a multi-use athletic stadium.[11] Indoor athletics play their home games at the Greene Complex which is an on campus arena. Florida Atlantic University's athletic programs are played in neighboring Boca Raton. FAU competes in the highest level of NCAA athletics including football, basketball, baseball, softball and tennis. Northwood University competes at the NAIA level, where their basketball coach Rollie Massimino, has given the athletic program national exposure.

Professional Golf - Trump International Golf Club hosts the LPGA Championship annually in November. The best in womens golf compete on one of Americas most beautiful golf courses. PGA National Golf Course in suburban Palm Beach Gardens hosts the PGA Honda Classic.

Polo and Equestrian - Palm Beach Polo and Country Club counts 7 polo fields among its world-class facilities and many high-goal games are played in the area. The equestrian events at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club are the National Horse Show and the world-renowned Winter Equestrian Festival.

Shopping Areas/Districts

Palm Beach Mall - an enclosed mall with Macys, Dillards, JC Penney and Sears as anchors and 125 other retail stores.

City Place - described as "old-world architecture, beautiful fountains, and sidewalk caf�s create an atmosphere strikingly reminiscent of a European town center". There is a multi-plex movie theater, IMAX Theater, several night clubs (comedy, dance), several world famous restaurants as well as clothing and home-decor retail outlets surrounded by multi-story town houes and apartments. Opened in 2000 where single family homes and dilapitated apartments once stood, City Place is West Palm Beach's best example of gentrification.

Clematis Street - best represents the old Florida charm of the now thriving metropolis. Clematis Street, is West Palm Beach's historic shopping venue. It is now home to Clematis by Night, an outdoor event held on the street with live music and food. There are dozens of eateries, night clubs and retail outlets on the street and surrounding downtown streets. Donald Trump once told People Magazine that Clematis Street was �..the hottest street in Florida�.

Antique Row - a shopping district on the south side of the city. Along Dixie Highway lies over 45 antique shops offering a selection of 17th to 20th century antiques, fine and decorative arts, period deco and modern furnishings. All within walking distance, there is a vast array of quality antiques shops and complemented by four restaurants, and a boutique hotel. Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Art & Antiques, and House Beautiful have all heralded Antique Row as one of the east coast's premier antique districts, considered the "antique design center" of Florida.[12]

Worth Avenue - although the street is in the neighboring town of Palm Beach it is worthy of mention as it is a very important shopping destination. With a world class selection of high end retail shops and boutiques, you never know what famous resident or visitor you may see window shopping or making a purchase.

Notable Buildings

Attractions

Media

Newspapers:
The Palm Beach Post: is the 57th highest daily circulation in the country, according to the 2007 BurrellesLuce survey, and is the city's sole daily newspaper.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel: is based in nearby Fort Lauderdale, and is increasing its coverage of the area, reporting local news in Palm Beach County. West Palm Beach, along with Fort Lauderdale, is served by an alternative weekly publication called New Times Broward-Palm Beach.

Radio:
West Palm Beach is ranked as the 46th largest radio market in the country by Arbitron.

Television:
West Palm Beach is ranked as the 38th largest television market in the country by Nielsen Media Research. The market is served by stations affiliated with major American networks including:
WPTV/5 (NBC), WPEC/12(CBS), WTCN-CA/15(Ind.), WPBF/25 (ABC), WFLX/29 (FOX), WTVX/34 (CW), WXEL/42 (PBS), WWHB/48 (Ind.), WFGC/61 (Ind.), WFXP/67 (ION)

Suburban West Palm Beach

Much of the urban area directly west of the city, which includes unincorporated areas such as Westgate, Belvedere Estates, Lakeside Green, Century Village, Golden Lakes Estates, Lake Patrick, Bahama Heights and Drexel Park, to name a few. These are not officially within the boundaries of West Palm Beach, but lie in unicorporated Palm Beach County. These areas possess a "West Palm Beach" address. Urban services, such as police, fire, parks, and water and sewer are provided by Palm Beach County in the areas.

Key incorporated cities and their populations in the West Palm Beach Urbanized Area:

Geography and Climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, this city has a total area of 150.7 km� (58.2 mi�). 142.8 km� (55.1 mi�) of it is land and 7.9 km� (3.1 mi�) of it (5.26%) is water.

Due to vast areas of swampland immediately to the west of the city's downtown, growth occurred to the north and south in a linear fashion. Until the 1960s, the city was no more than several blocks wide but over 100 blocks in length. Large scale development finally occurred to the west of the city with improved access and drainage in the 1960s. However, the city boundaries were not expanded much with the exception of the "Water Catchment Area", an uninhabited area in the northwest part of the city that serves as a reservoir for the city drinking supply.

Climate

The climate in West Palm Beach is tropical^[5]^[6], with some discernible seasons, although not in the temperate climate sense. The brief, mild winters (December to early March) are noticeably cooler than the humid, tropical summers with low temperatures frequently dipping into the 40s F (5-9 C) and more rarely the 30s F (1-4 C), and on extremely rare occasions below freezing. High temperatures typically range from 65 to 82 F (18 - 28 C), although during cold spells high temperatures can remain in the 50s F (10 - 15 C). The lowest temperature ever recorded in the city was 27 F (-2.8 C) on January 19, 1977, a date which also recorded measurable snow; and January 20, 1985 which was accompanied by a heavy frost. Other notable freezes which damaged the area's lucrative winter vegetable industry occurred in 1983, 1989, 1997 and 2006.

The sixth months of summer (May through October) are hot and humid although easterly winds off the Atlantic and afternoon thunderstorms from the interior tend to temper the heat on a day to day basis during this period. Daily high temperatures consistently range between 86 - 92 F (30 - 33 C) between early June and late September. The heat index or humidex consistently measures between 90 - 102 F (32 - 38 C) during this period. Low temperatures average between 72 - 81 F (22 - 27 C) during this period. A record high of 100 F (37.8 C) was recorded in June 1921.

The transitional months, November, March and April, are typically dry and warm with temperatures ranging from 55 F to 85 F (12 C - 28 C), although there can be short periods of quite cool weather in March and late November. Hurricane season is officially from June 1 through November 30, with the peak months being August, September and October. The city has received direct or near direct hits from hurricanes in 1928, 1949, 1979, 1992, 2004, and 2005.

Notable residents, past and present

Donald Trump, real estate mogul, TV host
Venus Williams, former No.1 ranked Tennis Champion in the world.
Serena Williams, former No.1 ranked Tennis Champion.
Hank Aaron, former all-time home run king. A street is named for him.
Marshall Criser, former president of the University of Florida.
Theresa LePore, former Supervisor of Elections; designer of the butterfly ballot, which figured prominently in the U.S. presidential election, 2000.
Heath Evans, Fullback for the New England Patriots and graduate of The Kings Academy
William Harris, former tennis player
Barbara Pariente, former Chief Justice and current Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
Dickey Betts, former Allman Brothers Band member.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Catcher for the Texas Rangers.
David McCampbell, American Naval Aviator during World War II.
George Hamilton, Actor, graduate of Palm Beach High School.
Burt Reynolds, Actor, graduate of Palm Beach High School.
Adrian Rogers, former president Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church
Fred Taylor, NFL Player for the professional football team Jacksonville Jaguars
Tiger Woods, Professional Golfer on the PGA Tour
A.J. McLean, Backstreet Boy
Derek Harper, former NBA player for the Knicks and Mavericks
Otis Thorpe, former NBA player for the Rockets and Pistons
Anthony Carter, former NFL player
Stephanie Abrams, Weather Channel meterologist
Mark Foley, former U.S. Congressman
Devin Hester, NFL Player with the Chicago Bears
Kason Gabbard, MLB Pitcher with the Texas Rangers
Vinny Sutherland, former NFL Player and graduate of Palm Beach Lakes High School
Willie Gary, Attorney and Co-Founder of the MBC Network
Kyle Meredith, Singer/ Songwriter
Joe Namath, former NFL quarterback
Nick Zano, Actor
Anthony Goldwire, former NBA player
Judge Reinhold, actor
Ken Green, PGA golfer
Ron Klein, U.S. Congressman
Robert Wexler, U.S. Congressman
Alcee Hastings, U.S. Congressman
John Havlicek, former NBA great
Bob Cousy, former NBA great and TV commentator
Juan Carlos Fanjul, WGN TV Chicago Anchorman
Diedre Hall, TV actress
John Ralston, singer/song writer
Glenn Close, actress
Jim Palmer, baseball Hall of Famer
Vic Damone, singer
Tommy Lee Jones, actor
Jason Bonham, World renowned drummer and son of Led Zeppelin's John Bonham
Don Brewer, Grand Funk Railroad drummer
Joey Kramer, Aerosmith drummer
Tico Torres, Bon Jovi Drummer
Nikko McBaine, Iron Maiden drummer
Tori Amos, Singer Songwriter
Alan Jackson, Country singer
Rush Limbaugh, Radio talk show host
Rod Stewart, singer
James Patterson, author
Jimmy Buffett, singer/entertainer
Chris Carrabba, singer/song writer from Dashboard Confessional
Steve Walsh, former NFL quarterback

Controversies

Political Corruption - During the past two years, West Palm Beach has experience a surge in political corruption scandals. Most recently Former City Commissioner Jim Exline was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison for not reporting to the IRS a $50,000 payment from a developer and then funneling it through a jewelry store. Not long before, the County Commissioner of Palm Beach County, Tony Masilotti, pled guilty to Federal charges stemming from corrupt land deals.

Crime - In 1993, West Palm Beach was featured in a 60 Minutes segment on urban decay. At the time, 80% of downtown properties were vacant. Since then, the city has done much to improve its image, at least in the physical sense. Occupancy is high, and housing prices have risen rapidly. However, crime remains a serious issue. Annual crime rates are always more than three times the national average and West Palm Beach consistently ranks as one of the nation's 100 most dangerous cities. However, as of 2006, the city's crime average has been gradually decreasing while robbery was up 17 per cent.^[7] Morgan Quitno lists West Palm Beach as ranking as the 4th most dangerous city by population in the United States. However, some may argue that the crime data concerning West Palm Beach is unfairly skewed because it does not take into account the much larger

West Palm Beach, Florida