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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-04-14 Analysis (Evening Times)a 6 r NORTH PALM BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY By CHAUN(_'.Y Vy.A8E Times StaJ1ff'.'.,W ite. NORTH PALM BEACH — City of- ficials and concerned local residents are syringing into action this week to save the Oakes Building, the oldest structure in North Palm Beach, and the village's connection to many of the colorful men who made its histo- ry. The Oakes Building is the big Spanish -style building at the North Palm Beach Country Club on U.S. 1 just south of the Intracoastal bridge. Although it is almost obscured by the large trees growing; in front of' it, the building is a site" Used, daily and a local landmark for thousands of north county residents. In addition to being a landmark and a historical touchstone, the building is also an irreplacable ex- ample of the old Spanish type of ar- chetectur. e which enjoyed a vogue in South Florida earlier this century. , What places the building in danger of demolition is that although it looks massive and solid as a moue- tain, in reality beneath its facade The Ev_eneng.Times, M®nday, April 14, '1980—'C7 Anal ; S ulOW its just a frame wooden structure has been a center of attention in the and after 50 years of use and disuse village for several years. Manly the building is slowly deteriorating. people recognize the historical sig-. In 1978 the building was con- n.k' icance of the building and would demned for occupational purposes like to see it saved, but the cost of and it.., has received very little use restoring it is too high for the vil- since then. Because it occupies a lage to attempt on its own. strategic spot at the country club, it "I recognize the historic signifi- cance of the building and if we. don't authority on the history of the build- The building was accompanieu uyrestoreitwe'll lose a valuable con- ing, the Oakes Building was built in a golf course all along; Kelsey in- nection with our past," said Ray 1926 by Harry Kelsey, the mil- stalled a nine- hole course when the Bowland, assistant village manager. lianaire - developer responsible for building was erected. Later, how - The villa a council has made a de- g creating Kelso Cit better knowngYY ever, the Ross Brothers of golf cision to attempt, preservation. as Lake Park. course archecture fame, bought the On the other hand, restoration Howland has been working closely building and the course and com- costs are very high — a half million with Martha Nadelman, official vil- pletely redesigned the course and dollars is the rock bottom and it'll lage historian, on a project that may expanded it to 18 holes. take more like $1 million to accom- help the village preserve the build- Bankers Life and Casualty Co. plish a pristine. restoration," How- ing. The two have put together an owned the golf course and buildinglandsaid. "We have to ask our- application to have the building de- last, giving it a connection to anoth- selves, is it worth $1 million to signated a historical landmark and er colorful figure, billionaire,.* John preserve this part of our history?" placed on the National Historic Reg- D. MacArthur, According to Howland, who is an istry, which would make it -eligible ' The village of North Palm Beach for federal funds for restoration. bought the property in 1961 and con - When Kelsey built the structure it verted it into a municipal facility, was the first building in the area toybecomeknown paying $1,025,000 for it and spending as North Palm another $400,000 for a new clubhouse Beach; Kelsey intended it to be a and swimming pool. promotional show place" for his Howland and Mrs. Nadelman will Kelsey City development, according be going to Gainsville Thursday to to Howland. plead the case of the Oakes Building At that time people brought before a special committee that will boats up to. U.S. 1," Howland said. later make recommendations to 1 At the official opening of the build- Congress whether the building ing many of the people from Palm should be included on the National Beach came. Al Jolson sang. It was Registry: Howland thinks the build - quite an affair." ing stands a good chance. The structure was partially de- By . comparison there are some stroyed by the hurricane of 1928 that newer buildings in the area that took more than 2,000 lives in Palm have been included, such as the Par - Beach County. That was the same amount Theater in Palm Beach. year the bottom fell out of.' the Plus we've carefully prepared all Florida land boom and Kelsey's the paper work and come up with a plans for a city named after himself good application. I think we have a lost momentum. good chance." In 1955, the building was bought by Unfortunately, with.' President Sir Harry Oakes, from whom it de- Carter calling for an austere 1981 rives its modern name. Oakes, a federal budget, 4the building may not colorful adventurer from Maine who get any funds for restoration even if found gold in Canada and was' it becomes eligible. knighted by the king of England of-- If the building doesn't get a fa - ter donating $500,000 to English'hos- vorable recommendation it will pitals in World War 1, used the probably be the end of the building building primarily as a vacation because I doubt if the taxpayers home. would be willing to rehabilitate the Oakes, incidentally, was colorful building to the tune -of $500,000," to his death; he was murdered in the: I Howland said. "If it does get a fa - Bahamas in 1953, and the murder is -'vorable recommendation and federal still unsolved. funds aren't readily available, I would recommend we budget some money for the most necessary re- pairs to protect. the building and seek other sources of financial aide, such as private foundation grants.' yj;