HomeMy WebLinkAboutKelsey City A History Of Lake Park, FloridaIn the early 1920's, the
titles "The Miracle City of
Florida", "A New City in the
Making", "The Courtesy
City of Florida", and "The
Gateway to the World's
Winter Playground", all
referred to the dream town,
Kelsey City, now Lake Park.
The history of the town can
be divided into four distinct
periods; the Kelsey Period,
from 1920 — 1928, the
Depression, the World War
II Period, and the Present
Period.
The first period could
more properly be called the
Kelsey Years —I Harry S.
Kelsey of Boston,
Massachusetts, first en-
visioned this town as a resort
mecca and winter
playground.
Mr. Kelsey had owned
restaurants, bakeries, and a
farm, reportedly worth three
and a half million dollars, in
the North before starting his
venture. Kelsey sold his
restaurant enterprises to
what is now known as the
Waldorf Hotel System before
his speculation in Florida.
Mr. Kelsey first came to
Florida in 1919 to recuperate
from a serious case of
pneumonia. He immediately
saw promise and future in
the area and began to make
extensive purchases of ocean
front, 'lake front, and
acreage in Palm Beach
County and elsewhere. The
most favorable spot on Lake
Worth was chosen for the site
of his town, Kelsey City.
Olmsted Brothers and Dr.
John Nolan of Boston were
selected to plan and lay out
the first zoned municipality
in Florida.
S. J. Blakely, a friend of
Kelsey in Massachusetts was
brought to Kelsey City to
help Kelsey landscape the
community. One of his first
projects was Kelsey Park
that still stands by the lake.
Blakely started the Kelsey
City Nurseries that is still in
operation, to provide
material for landscaping the
park and city. He also hauled
over palm trees from
HISTORY
Munyon Island that was once
part of the town. Plans were
made to build a bridge from
thd mainland, to the island,
and then on to the coastal
strip to provide the com-
munity with an ocean beach.
The complete townsite was
to include approximately
nine hundred acres with
plans for an eighteen hole
golf -course and a resort
development on Munyon
Island called "Palm Har-
bor". One of the early ad-
vertisements proclaimed:
"It is ideal from every
standpoint; a perfect
climate, sanitation the best,
land high and rolling, a great
transportation center,
fronting on Lake Worth."
The town was planned to
have three sections; the
residential section, starting
from Lake Worth to Fifth
Street; the retail business
district, from Fifth Street to
the F.E.C. Railroad tracks
and the Dixie Highway; and
the manufacturing and
wholesale district, west of
Dixie Highway. At the en-
trance to the community on
Dixie Highway, a giant arch
was erected and two of the
pillars still remain marking
the site. Over the highway a
large sign read "Welcome
Kelsey City Gateway to the
World's Winter Play -
round."
More than a million dollars
was invested in the city
during its very first years
and Kelsey acquired 60,000
acres around the town that
he anticipated using for
farming purposes.
Kelsey built three houses
on Park Avenue for the first
speculation and invited
people to see for themselves
the wonders of his city. The
lots were sold at large
auctions with people
arriving by both Dixie High-
way and by boat on Lake
Worth to attend. If one
wished to view the land
before purchase, one could
climb an observation tower
to view his possible selec-
tion.
The boom was on.
Business on Park Avenue
and Tenth Street and
manufacturing enterprises
began to thrive. The Drake
Saw Mill, west of town,
provided lumber for con-
struction. Some of the other
companies involved were the
Palm Beach Brick and
Supply Company, which
manufactured lime -cement
bricks; a Spanish-American
Tile Plant supplied building
materials; also an ice plant,
a laundry, a rubber tire
plant, and Mr. James
Blakely's nursery provided
exotic plants and shrubs.
The business district in-
cluded a railway station,
bank, hotel, library, Western
Union Office, and many
other fine stores and shops.
There was a famous
restaurant called "The Blue
Goose", which was known
for its fine food "From
Philadelphia to Miami".
Recreation was not
neglected in the town. Kelsey
built a nine hole golf course
which was expanded to an
eighteen hole course later. It
was located on Federal
Highway near the Fiood Fair
,complex of , to_day. nie also
f built an eighteen hole course
called the Winter Club in
what is now North Palm
Beach. Land on the Lake was
set aside for a public park
and yacht club. The park,
I presently Kelsey Park, was
beautifully landscaped with
exotic plants and shrubs and
a majestic fountain.
The future seemed very
bright for both Kelsey City \
and Harry S. Kelsey when
the Florida land bubble
began to pop. Kelsey sud-
denly found himself in debt
to the federal government
and on the verge of
bankruptcy. Kelsey tried to
protect his holdings by
placing them in a
receivership under the
execution of J. C. Bills.
The hurricane of 1928
sealed the fate of the town.
Everything was damaged
beyond belief. Residents say
not a leaf remained on the
trees and shrubs and the
entire area was covered with
rubble.
Coupled with the vast
devastation of the storm and
the clouds of the Stock
Market crash and ensuing
depression, the town began a
period of little development.
This was a time of unique
sharing and togetherness
among the people
remaining. Many people had
left or abandoned their
homes. There was little
money to pay either taxes or
provide the few luxuries that
made life pleasant. This was
probably the bleakest time
for the people of Kelsey City.
The service organizations
of the town banded together
to provide diversion for both
the old and young. The
Garden Club did much for
the town and the P.T.A.
provided entertainment for
the young. The Community
Church served as a
recreational center for the
area. The dances sponsored
by the Volunteer Fire
Department in the Mirror
Ballroom were attended by
people from Stuart to Lake
Worth. Mrs. Ross, an early
resident, remembers that
everything was shared by all
the organizations; even the
school and a mimeograph
achine.
The Oakes organization of
frl arry Oakes began to
acquire land interests during
this period. Approximately
80 per cent of Kelsey City,
Munyon Island and the
Winter Club were acquired
by the Oakes corporation,
Tesdem, Incorporated. The
organization made some
municipal improvements
and built approximately
fourteen houses. Kelsey City
saw one other change at this
time. The name was changed
(cont.)
1
to Lake Park. It was felt a
new name and image would
be beneficial to the town. Mr.
Walter Fosket of Tesdem,
Inc., petitioned the.
legislature for a name
change and it was officially
changed to Lake Park June
15, 1939. A few months later
the park was officially
named Kelsey Park to donor
the town's founder. The
unfortunate death of Sir
Harry Oakes in the Bahamas
ended future development.
The War Years saw more
changes for Lake Park.
Submarine alerts, black-
outs, and burning ships at
sea were ordinary and
routine. People could view
burning ships from the
beaches and often goods
from these vessels could be
salvaged.
Mrs. Clara Cormack tells a
story about one such burning
ship. Cotton material was
impossible to purchase and
one such ship carried many
HISTORY —coot.
bolts of thin cotton pink and
white material. A family
from Riviera Beach
salvaged this material and
several other items. Mrs.
Cormack received some of
this cotton material and
made pajamas for her first
grandson.
The War Years was a time
of sorrow for adults and a
time of considerable
glamour for the young girls
of the community. Many
young men were stationed
here and escorts were
abundant. Mrs. Ross
remembers driving her
daughter to a dance where
there were twelve young
men for every young girl
attending.
The last period of
development beginning in
1958 has been perhaps the
;:;neatest change of all.
Banker's 'Life and Casualty_
Company of Chicago, owned
by John D. MacArthur,
bought the Tesdam holdings
for five and a half million
dollars. A period of rapid
expansion began. United
Aircraft's decision to build
Pratt and Whitney northwest
of the town insured the
success of MacArthur's
venture.
The town limits are still
the same as they were in
1921, but within those limits
there has been great
progress and development.
The population has
burgeoned and there are
very few lots left for con-
struction. The assessed
valuation of Kelsey City in
1921 was little more than
$25,000. The valuation now
exceeds $50 million. It took
almost forty years for the
dream of Kelsey to be fully
realized, but the dream has
been fulfilled. Lake Park
celebrates its 50th an-
niversary in 1973. The
development does not end
here, but will go on.
THANK YOU TO THE LAKE PARK LIBRARY
BOARD AND ALL PERSONS INVOLVED WHO
HELPED TO MAKE THIS BOOK A REALITY
AND A MOMENTO OF LAKE PARK'S 50TH
ANNIVERSARY.
1A
HARRY SEYMOUR KELSEY, 40 year old
President of Waldorf Systems, Inc., a national
chain restaurant, founded and developed Kelsey
City. On November 16, 1923, the city was in-
corporated by an act of the State Legislature of
Florida.
HARRY KELSEY'S RISE
Listen, you grandchildren, and you shall hear
Of a fabulous man with a famous career.
On the 26th of March in seventy-nine
Hubbard and Sarah received the sign
Of the genius of business they were to rear.
He said to his friends, "If all goes well
When I'm two score,
For $6,000,000 I can sell
That which I have and buy some more;
So hand an apple aloft on a Waldorf sign
From coast to coast to show they were mine,
And I on Florida's East Coast shall be
Building a paradise called Kelsey City
For each frost-bitten Yankee to enjoy the sea."
Then he went to work and built his dream
Till stopped by the Crash so unforseen,
But till this day there stands the stone
Of the land and dreams he used to own.
Meanwhile impatient to rise again
He assumed the courage of 100 men,
With a trick up his sleeve and a joke on his lip
He kept right on climbing despite each slip.
He traveled this country and also abroad
And dug for oil in Kentucky's sod,
Raised silver foxes just for their fur,
Marketed soap from Mount Ranier.
He invented, created and promoted new thought
That the past 20 years finally have brought.
You know the rest of this man called "Pop",
The way he makes your face light up
With exciting tales and a pocket of jokes
To charm the old and the little folks.
He's immaculate in dress and ever well groomed,
And has kept up his spirits when troubles loomed.
He's walked with the great and shared with the poor,
Never the watcher, always the doer.
From the rocks of Maine to the sandy Keys
He pioneered for the histories.
So through this life rides H.S.K.
And from North to South people say
With admiration and a proudly bow,
Not, "I knew him when," but "I KNOW HIM NOW! "
With love and respect
from your family, Daddy
Bee, for all
the Kelsey Kids
(Apologies to Longfellow's
"Paul Revere's Ride")
2
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EAST COAST FINANCE CORPORATION
Controlled more than 100,000 Kelsey City Development
Jupiter. on Okeechobee Road andoral lands to
running north nearly
to
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K E LS E Y PARK LAN D I NG -1923 - Temporary path and dock where boats
landed folk attending land sales.
LOTS FOR SALE From this lake front tent, lots in Kelsey City were sold
by auction with mellifluent oratory and gifts of $1.00 bills. A yellowed note
on this picture states: "Even then a lovely spot - don't you think?"
4
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PALM BEACH WINTER CLUB - 1926 -
Clubhouse and 18 hole golf course built by Kelsey
and Paris Sin er for $500,000.
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BUS TO Palm Beach Winter Club Golf Course
1927. Bus transported tourists from Palm Beach
hotels to the golf course.
5
OBSERVATION TOW
of golf courseTOWER --1926 _" near 5th
and the north endhole
of 3rd street.
Also used by potential buyers to view property
purchase.
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PARK AVENUE, 1921, looking
on left. east from 4th Street. Carlos Wilson house
6
CITY HALL 1927 Financed by a $125,000 bond
issue. Bruce Mitchell, West Palm Beach, Ar-
chitect, Arnold Construction Company of Kelsey
City and West Palm Beach, Contractors.
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LAYING THE F I RSTsidewalks - preparing for the quick and orderly
purchase and development of residential lots in Kelsey City.
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KELSEY CITY STATE BANK - Park Avenue. Closed after Stock Market
crash in 1929.
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ONE OF FIRST three houses built in Kelsey City - These "Model Homes"
were built by Harry Kelsey for the first speculation development of his
city.
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HARRY KE LS EY HOME Southwest corner of First (U.S. No. 1) and
Park Avenue.
ONE OF SEVERAL original houses built in Kelsey City. Corner of Second
and Park Avenue.
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K E LS EY CITY Brick and Stone Company a then modern plant for
making sand -lime cement brick. Its brick were shipped to all points of
South Florida for construction.
PALM BEACH HURRICANE, 9-16-28, picture
taken 9-23-28. Telephone Building in Kelsey City.
A Mr._ Osborne, and child Rupert, were in the
vault during the storm. Rest of the family stayed
in school house.
10
K E LS EY CITY Brick and Stdne Company a then modern plant for
making sand -lime cement brick. Its brick were shipped to all points of
South Florida for construction.
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PALM BEACH HURRICANE, 9-16-28, picture
taken 9-23-28. Telephone Building in Kelsey City.
A Mr. Osborne, and child Rupert, were in the
vault during the storm. Rest of the family stayed
in school house.
10
. •.. •.... ••
PALM BEACH HURRICANE 9-16-28. Picture
taken 9-23-28. Dr. Thomas house — First one
west of Burr House. Mr. Newell stayed in this
house until roof went off, and then crawled on
hands and knees to City Hall. His family was
North.
BLUE GOOSE RESTAURANT — Reported to
have been known for its fine food "from
Philadelphia to Miami."
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FIRST PUBLIC LIBRARY in Kelsey City.
COMMUNITY FAIR FLOAT — These beauties represented the cities of
Miami, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach and Palm Beach.
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HURRICANE: The 1928 hurricane destroyed
Kelsey City before sweeping on to Lake
Okeechobee where it took more than 2,200 lives.
PALM BEACH Winter Club clubhouse.
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K E LS E Y CITY school gym.
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REMAINS of several industries.
ROYAL PALM Rubber Company.
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P R I M I E R BUILDING, southwest corner of 10th
and Park Avenue.
KELS1TE STONE PRODUCTS
HARRY S. KE LS EY, May 1954, planning "UTOPIA", a retirement village
near Miami. This development would have included homes and a dozen
industries. However, it never materialized before his death in 1957.
UTOPIA!
"I am so enthused that I get up about 5 A.M. and get
through about 7 to 9 P.M.
I do believe that the town of UTOPIA can be known all
over the world, simply from its accomplishments.
The Retirement Village can really become UTOPIA for
the aging residents. With its club house, parks, recreational
centers (with all kinds of games) , movie center, motor
boating, etc. Even the residence owners, through a com-
mittee of their own chosing, will formulate and oversee the
various functions. As the residents will come from all walks
of life, there will always be plenty of home talent for suc-
cessful entertainment planning.
Expect to sell them homes and establish a dozen in-
dustries so that they can work and earn as much as the
Government allows. The various small industries even now
outlined and clearly set forth, will supplement additional
income for all the residents. These industries can be pooled
into one "melting pot", both from the point of assets, ear-
nings and extra dividends to those owning homes and em-
ployed in UTOPIA.
I believe that UTOPIA townsite is second to none, now
available, at the present time ... First — its proximity to
downtown Miami; Second — its location between two of the
best known thoroughfares; Third — canal front lots available
by motor boat to the Ocean or fishing resorts or to Lake
Okeechobee, as desired.
It's a long road, but I hope to make it. It's my last
struggle and I hope my best after 25 years of waiting."
Quoted from notes of
HARRY S. KELSEY
May 14, 1955
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