Page Last Updated: 2/7/2008
City History
On March 20, 1959, John D. MacArthur, multimillionaire insurance magnate and landowner,
announced plans to develop approximately 4,000 acres and provide homes for 55,000
people in a new community. The land would be developed under his careful supervision.
Mr. MacArthur's chosen name for the city was Palm Beach City. However, permission to
use that name was denied, so MacArthur, in keeping with his "garden city" plan,
decided to call the city Palm Beach Gardens. He wanted this new city to be a place to
raise a family and earn a living - to realize the American dream. With this in mind,
he set to work carving the City of Palm Beach Gardens from empty miles of dairy cattle
grazing land.
Mr. MacArthur envisioned the city streets lined with trees and flowers. Millions of dollars were wisely invested by MacArthur to create a Florida community with hundreds of waterways, rolling terrain, magnificent mature pine and shade trees, and rich foliage. Because Mr. MacArthur was a lover of trees and Mother Nature, he instructed that city streets and construction go around trees that had been growing there for many years. This made for an expensive proposition but he wanted to build a city that was entirely new and unblemished. Churches were the first buildings to be built in the city. He wanted to ensure that the City had a variety of houses of worship to serve residents of all faiths.
By 1964, Mr. MacArthur was satisfied with the industry and recreation in Palm Beach Gardens. He heard that the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) was looking for a new site for their home offices and golf courses. MacArthur donated more than $2,000,000 to the project. In March 1965, the clubhouse was completed and the PGA moved in. Several PGA tournaments, including the Seniors and the World Cup, were hosted by the City in 1971, but the relationship would not last. In 1972, the PGA moved from the property that would become the J.D.M. Country Club and today is known as BallenIsles.
The City of Palm Beach Gardens has grown steadily during its forty years in existence. In 1999, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation sold approximately 14,000 acres of land including approximately 5,000 acres in the City of Palm Beach Gardens. The City Council, entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring quality development, was able to reach an agreement with the purchasers to manage this new growth. Through the cooperation of the parties involved, the reputation and beauty of the City of Palm Beach Gardens will be preserved and enhanced by keeping in mind the "garden city" philosophy of its founder John D. MacArthur. The City of Palm Beach Gardens remains a premiere community in which to live and work, and will for future generations. As our city slogan suggests, we are "Growing Together in the Gardens".
Mr. MacArthur envisioned the city streets lined with trees and flowers. Millions of dollars were wisely invested by MacArthur to create a Florida community with hundreds of waterways, rolling terrain, magnificent mature pine and shade trees, and rich foliage. Because Mr. MacArthur was a lover of trees and Mother Nature, he instructed that city streets and construction go around trees that had been growing there for many years. This made for an expensive proposition but he wanted to build a city that was entirely new and unblemished. Churches were the first buildings to be built in the city. He wanted to ensure that the City had a variety of houses of worship to serve residents of all faiths.
By 1964, Mr. MacArthur was satisfied with the industry and recreation in Palm Beach Gardens. He heard that the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) was looking for a new site for their home offices and golf courses. MacArthur donated more than $2,000,000 to the project. In March 1965, the clubhouse was completed and the PGA moved in. Several PGA tournaments, including the Seniors and the World Cup, were hosted by the City in 1971, but the relationship would not last. In 1972, the PGA moved from the property that would become the J.D.M. Country Club and today is known as BallenIsles.
The City of Palm Beach Gardens has grown steadily during its forty years in existence. In 1999, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation sold approximately 14,000 acres of land including approximately 5,000 acres in the City of Palm Beach Gardens. The City Council, entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring quality development, was able to reach an agreement with the purchasers to manage this new growth. Through the cooperation of the parties involved, the reputation and beauty of the City of Palm Beach Gardens will be preserved and enhanced by keeping in mind the "garden city" philosophy of its founder John D. MacArthur. The City of Palm Beach Gardens remains a premiere community in which to live and work, and will for future generations. As our city slogan suggests, we are "Growing Together in the Gardens".
The History of the Banyan Trees
John D. MacArthur, founder of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, took great strides to
uphold the "garden theme" and the beauty of his new community. He envisioned winding
streets without sidewalks named after flowers and trees and lush native and
transplanted foliage.
The story of the 80-year old Banyan Tree is a testament of Mr. MacArthur’s commitment to his new "gardens" community. While in the midst of landscaping his new city in late 1960, he heard about a resident in a neighboring town who was being forced to cut down a Banyan Tree in her yard. The tree was threatening the foundation of her home and damaging the street in front of her residence. Mr. MacArthur had the idea of moving the tree and planting it at the entrance of his new city at the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard, formerly Garden Boulevard. The tree weighed 75 tons, was 60 feet high and had a limb spread of 125 feet. Because of its size, the City needed six months to prepare the tree for the move to its new location.
On the morning of April 26, 1961, John D. MacArthur sent two cranes to lift the tree onto two cargo trailers for the move to its new home five miles away. However, an unforeseen problem arose when a feed mill truck burst and spewed 10,000 gallons of molasses onto a roadway that was specially bulldozed to move the tree. The fill used to cover the spill raised the roadway just enough to make the tree hit and snap several railway signal lines which caused crossing gates to close for eight miles. Additionally, a cable parted while the tree was being hoisted over 18-foot Western Union lines connecting southern Florida with the rest of the world. The tree dropped when one of the cables being used to hoist the tree over the train tracks snapped under the heavy strain of the tree. When the 1:30 p.m. train came down the tracks it was forced to stop and workmen quickly got busy sawing off the limbs of the tree to clear the tracks. Thirteen minutes later the train was on its way again.
Shortly after 2:00 p.m., the tree was dropped into the large hole that had been prepared. The Rev. A. P. Snyder of St. John's Evangelical Church said a prayer. Mr. MacArthur traveled with the entourage the whole trip and threw the first shovel of dirt over the roots of the tree. The entire process cost $30,000 and 1008 hours of manpower. Approximately one year later, a second tree was moved to keep company with the first tree. It was a smaller tree weighing only 40 tons.
When people questioned the expense of moving older trees instead of planting new ones, Mr. MacArthur responded by saying, "I can buy anything but age. This tree will be the centerpiece of our entrance, and while we could plant a little one there, I wouldn't be around 80 years from now to see it as it should be". Mr. MacArthur’s philosophy continues today, as the City Council and staff apply strict guidelines for landscaping and aesthetics in all current and future development. The two Banyan trees remain standing proudly at the entrance to the City of Palm Beach Gardens as a reminder to us all.
The story of the 80-year old Banyan Tree is a testament of Mr. MacArthur’s commitment to his new "gardens" community. While in the midst of landscaping his new city in late 1960, he heard about a resident in a neighboring town who was being forced to cut down a Banyan Tree in her yard. The tree was threatening the foundation of her home and damaging the street in front of her residence. Mr. MacArthur had the idea of moving the tree and planting it at the entrance of his new city at the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard, formerly Garden Boulevard. The tree weighed 75 tons, was 60 feet high and had a limb spread of 125 feet. Because of its size, the City needed six months to prepare the tree for the move to its new location.
On the morning of April 26, 1961, John D. MacArthur sent two cranes to lift the tree onto two cargo trailers for the move to its new home five miles away. However, an unforeseen problem arose when a feed mill truck burst and spewed 10,000 gallons of molasses onto a roadway that was specially bulldozed to move the tree. The fill used to cover the spill raised the roadway just enough to make the tree hit and snap several railway signal lines which caused crossing gates to close for eight miles. Additionally, a cable parted while the tree was being hoisted over 18-foot Western Union lines connecting southern Florida with the rest of the world. The tree dropped when one of the cables being used to hoist the tree over the train tracks snapped under the heavy strain of the tree. When the 1:30 p.m. train came down the tracks it was forced to stop and workmen quickly got busy sawing off the limbs of the tree to clear the tracks. Thirteen minutes later the train was on its way again.
Shortly after 2:00 p.m., the tree was dropped into the large hole that had been prepared. The Rev. A. P. Snyder of St. John's Evangelical Church said a prayer. Mr. MacArthur traveled with the entourage the whole trip and threw the first shovel of dirt over the roots of the tree. The entire process cost $30,000 and 1008 hours of manpower. Approximately one year later, a second tree was moved to keep company with the first tree. It was a smaller tree weighing only 40 tons.
When people questioned the expense of moving older trees instead of planting new ones, Mr. MacArthur responded by saying, "I can buy anything but age. This tree will be the centerpiece of our entrance, and while we could plant a little one there, I wouldn't be around 80 years from now to see it as it should be". Mr. MacArthur’s philosophy continues today, as the City Council and staff apply strict guidelines for landscaping and aesthetics in all current and future development. The two Banyan trees remain standing proudly at the entrance to the City of Palm Beach Gardens as a reminder to us all.
History in the Making
The City of Palm Beach Gardens Historical Society
The City of Palm Beach Gardens renovated the old Westminster Presbyterian Church
on Military Trail. It has been transformed into an extension of the Burns Road
Community Center Complex. This new facility, named ‘Lakeside’ provides additional
space for new and existing recreational programs that primarily include wellness
classes and programs for ‘seasoned adults’.
Lakeside Center is also home to our permanent and growing exhibition of the City’s history. During its 46-year history, newspaper clippings, photographs, maps and awards have been archived by city volunteers and members of the Palm Beach Gardens Woman’s Club. Scrapbooks, framed photographs and a showcase of documents, awards and other noteworthy accolades are on display throughout the building.
Future plans include scanning images collected over the years and posting them to the city’s website. Visitors to the site can then view historical data gathered from the police and fire departments, special events and recreation departments spanning almost 50 years. Look for this exciting new way to view our past. It is ‘History in the Making’.
Lakeside Center is also home to our permanent and growing exhibition of the City’s history. During its 46-year history, newspaper clippings, photographs, maps and awards have been archived by city volunteers and members of the Palm Beach Gardens Woman’s Club. Scrapbooks, framed photographs and a showcase of documents, awards and other noteworthy accolades are on display throughout the building.
Future plans include scanning images collected over the years and posting them to the city’s website. Visitors to the site can then view historical data gathered from the police and fire departments, special events and recreation departments spanning almost 50 years. Look for this exciting new way to view our past. It is ‘History in the Making’.
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| History Scrapbooks by the Palm Beach Gardens Woman's Club | History Showcase of City Memorabilia | |
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| Original Art rendering of the Palm Beach Gardens City Shield | Parade of Homes Advertisement, 1962 | |
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| Christmas in Dixie Parade, 1955 | Easter Egg Hunt, Mid 1960's | |
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| John D. MacArthur and His Dog | City Council Identification Badges, worn early 1980's | |