PBC Parks’ 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book

Image description: Collage of the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Book cover and inside pages.

The year 2022 marked the 50th birthday of the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department (PBC Parks). Ignited by this celebration, the Office of Public Engagement (OPE) launched a yearlong celebration, including a commemorative book detailing a snapshot-in-time of the department along with other artifacts.

South Bay and South Bay Railroad Cottage: A Piece of Belle Glade History

Images of South Bay Railroad Cottage

Close to Lake Okeechobee is a city full of history, Belle Glade, Florida. A piece of that history includes South Bay and the South Bay Railroad Cottage. South Bay was founded in 1910 and was one of several early farming communities founded close to the lake and along canals to take advantage of the fertile soil reclaimed from the Everglades. In this town, roads were rough and canals had to be crossed by ferry. The arrival of the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad at Canal Point and Pahokee in 1925 would change that. The railroad reached Belle Glade and then South Bay in 1926. In 1928, at Lake Harbor, the Florida East Coast Railroad met the Atlantic Coast Line coming down from Clewiston.

History of the Pineapple House

Pineapple House

Jupiter, Florida is well known for its beaches and local history, like the Jupiter Lighthouse. Part of this history includes the DuBois Family, the DuBois Pioneer Home and the Pineapple House. Construction of the Jupiter Lighthouse marks the first development of the area in 1860. Over the years, several pioneering families had settled in the area. With the coming of the railroad in the 1890s, the population boomed as people came to the area to work, settle and farm the land.

Living History: A Journey Back in Time

DuBois Pioneer Home

While often recognized as a beach tourist destination, Palm Beach County is rich in arts, culture, historic and archaeological significance. PBC Parks’ Living History Program offers a free educational platform that promotes the importance, value, and significance of our local historic and cultural resources, bringing history to life to more than 6,000 residents and visitors yearly through direct programs, events and tours.