Palm Beach, Florida - Flagler's Vision

Flagler's Royal Poinciana, opened February 11, 1894

Henry Flagler developed Florida as a second career after founding Standard Oil with Rockefeller. He saw a problem with transportation and acquired railroads, built a railway system, and large resort hotels to attract tourists. He initially started assembling railroad systems and building hotels in St. Augustine. There he built the Ponce de Leon and Alcazar hotels and bought the Casa Monica.

The Cordova(white building on left) - now Casa Monica and to the right The Alcazar - now Leightner Museum as seen from the Ponce de Leon

Palm Beach caught his eye as a potential resort destination due to its beautiful beaches and warm weather. He built two of the largest hotels in the world at the time, the Royal Poinciana Hotel and The Breakers, which helped turn Palm Beach into a popular tourist destination that still attracts visitors today. Flagler also propped up the firm that had been trying for years to build the Florida Intracoastal Waterway. His financial backing allowed that effort to become successful and the creation of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway was completed.

Mr. and Mrs. Wm K. Vanderbilt Jr. on their 1907 Palm Beach Vacation at The Breakers. Pictured seated: Virginia "Birdie" Fair Vanderbilt. Others l to r: Willie K. Vanderbilt, Jr.; Leland Sterry, manager, The Breakers; Lawrence Waterbury, a cousin of President Teddy Roosevelt (in the driver's seat); Fred Sterry, Leland's brother, manager of Flagler's Royal Poinciana

Palm Beach, c. 1895. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, fifth from right, and her fiancé Harry Payne Whitney, second from right, arrive at Flagler's Royal Poinciana, Palm Beach aboard the Vanderbilt family’s private railroad car. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney papers, 1851-1975, bulk 1888-1942. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Palm Beach Timeline

• 1894: Henry Flagler builds his first Palm Beach hotel, the Hotel Royal Poinciana, which had over 1,100 rooms and was the largest wooden structure in the world at the time.

• 1894: Flagler builds the Palm Beach Inn, which later became known as The Breakers.

Flagler's Palm Beach Inn (later Breakers) in 1901

• 1896: Addison Mizner moves to Palm Beach and builds his first Palm Beach residence, the Everglades Club.

• 1899: The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea is built, becoming the oldest church in Palm Beach.

• 1900: The second version of The Breakers is completed after the original hotel burned down. The second version had a more fire-resistant structure made of steel and concrete.

• 1901: The first mansion in Palm Beach, Whitehall, is completed for Henry Flagler as a gift to his new wife Mary Lily Keenan Flagler. It is located next door to the Royal Poinciana Hotel and opposite The Breakers Hotel.

• 1901: Addison Mizner designs the first version of El Mirasol for Edward T. Stotesbury.

• 1902: Mizner builds El Mirasol, a Mediterranean Revival-style mansion for artist Paris Singer.

• 1903: Mizner builds La Bellucia, an Italian Renaissance-style mansion for hotelier Richard Howland Hunt.

• 1905: Mizner builds La Guerida, a Mediterranean Revival-style mansion for millionaire Edward Shearson.

• 1906: Mizner builds Playa Riente, a Mediterranean Revival-style mansion for publisher Jules Bache.

• 1907: Mizner builds Villa Flora, a Mediterranean Revival-style mansion for millionaire Carl Fisher.

• 1912: Mizner builds the Cloister Inn, a Mediterranean Revival-style hotel.

• 1914: The Bath & Tennis Club is built.

• 1918: Mizner builds the Playa Venecia, a Mediterranean Revival-style mansion for heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post.

• 1920: The Addison Mizner-designed Everglades Club clubhouse is completed.

• 1927: Mar-a-Lago, a Mediterranean Revival-style mansion, is built for heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her new husband E.F. Hutton.

These residences and landmarks helped establish Palm Beach as a destination for the wealthy and elite and continue to attract visitors today.