21/04/2023
The Town of Lake Park was originally established in 1919 as Kelsey City when Boston entrepreneur Harry Seymour Kelsey joined the Florida land boom and bought 30,000 acres north of West Palm Beach, and south of what would become North Palm Beach.
A giant arch at the city’s entrance on what is now called Old Dixie Highway, a welcome sign read, “Gateway to the World’s Winter Playground.” Kelsey had invested a million dollars in improvements when the first lots were offered at auction in what is now Kelsey Park. He added a golf course on U.S. 1 and a town hall on Dixie Way (now Park Avenue), which is still the present-day town hall. It also has an official listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
In honor of its founder, the waterfront park located on US-1 is named Kelsey Park, where the 1920s Evergreen House is preserved today and is an excellent example of the historic architecture that can be found throughout Lake Park.
The Town's historic buildings represent three phases of development: the Florida Land Boom of 1920 to 1929, the Depression/New Deal Era of 1929 to 1941, and the World War II to post-war period of 1941-early 1950s. Today, 63 buildings remain from the initial settlement of the Town, 15 from the Depression Era, and 23 from 1941 through 1950.
The Land Boom buildings are dominated by the Mediterranean Revival, Mission, Spanish Eclectic and Craftsman Bungalow styles. The subsequent periods are represented by the general category of Masonry and Frame Vernacular, but this includes specific examples of styles such as Ranch and Minimal Traditional houses.
Lake Park has so many historic gems, many of which could be the perfect renovation opportunity. If living in a beautiful historic neighborhood is your dream, we can make that happen!
Contact me today!
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