Local History Archives Historical Information

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  • Car dealership in 1950s Boynton.

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Please prearrange an appointment with the archivist if you intend to visit the archive in person. Use of the material will require filling out a registration form, and all patrons are monitored and assisted. No food or drink is allowed.

Reproductions

Images created with hand-held cameras or cell-phones are allowed. If you desire a higher quality image, we can provide it. If this is for personal use, we can deliver a digital image. Use in publications may involve a fee. We do not offer reproduction services.

We will ask you to fill out a form with contact information and outlining some Terms of Use:

  • Permission is for one-time, one-project use only
  • Photographs may be cropped to suit design and layout, but they may not be altered, colorized, or drawn upon without prior written agreement.
  • Images are not to be resold without prior written agreement.
  • Credit must be given to the Boynton Beach City Library with the credit line “From the Collection of the Boynton Beach City Library” and to the creator of the original work, if known. Credit must appear on or below the image, or in a designated credit section. 
  • Boynton Beach City Library reserves the right to decline permission to requestors who have not complied with these conditions or whose use is deemed inappropriate. 
  • Boynton Beach City Library assumes no responsibility for infraction of copyright laws, invasion of privacy or any other improper or illegal use that may arise from reproduction of any collection materials. Requestor assumes full and sole responsibility for the use of the duplication and shall pay and indemnify and hold Boynton Beach City Library or the City of Boynton Beach and its agents harmless from and against all claims, damages, losses, costs, expenses, and liabilities of every kind (including attorneys' fees) arising out of the requestor's use, or out of the requestor's breach or alleged breach of the use or license agreement. 
  • In some cases, the Boynton Beach City Library will request that a copy of the finished product be donated to our collections.
     

Boynton Beach primary resources:

 

Primary resource materials available online:

 

Significant secondary resources available online:

 

General resources & More information

Sanborn Maps  1924 & 1940

The Sanborn Map Company was a publisher of detailed maps of U.S. cities and towns in the 19th and 20th centuries. The maps were originally created to allow fire insurance companies to assess their total liability in urbanized areas of the United States. Since they contain detailed information about properties and individual buildings in approximately 12,000 U.S. cities and towns, Sanborn maps are invaluable for documenting changes in the built environment of American cities over many decades. (Wikipedia, retrieved 9/12/2019)

Sanborn Maps for the Boynton Beach  downtown exist for 1924 and 1940.

More Sanborn Maps of Florida towns are available through the Palm Beach County Library (including Boynton Beach) and University of Florida (not Boynton Beach)

Sanborn map 1924
Sanborn Map
1924, #1
Sanborn map 1924
Sanborn Map
1924 #2
Sanborn 1940
Sanborn Map
1940 #1
sanborn map 1940
Sanborn Map
1940 #2

 

1920-1921 George Coon, Mayor George Edward Coon (1863-1934) was a pioneer settler of Jenson in 1892 as a pineapple grower. He moved to Boynton in 1910. George Coon

 
1921-1922 Horace B. Murray, Mayor Horace Bentley Murray (1867-1949), farmer and second mayor of Boynton, Florida (first elected) between 1921-1922. Mayor
1922-1923 Frederick L. "Big Buck" Muster Arrived in Boynton in 1914 and in 1915 bought the Vera Hotel, which he renamed the Buckeye State Hotel.  He also owned a few cows, a garage, and operated ice cream parlors in the Harrell Block (500 E. Ocean Avenue) and later the Hudson Building (corner of Ocean and Dixie). Installed as mayor 18th April 1922. Served for one year; later ran for vice-mayor in 1936. Suffered a stroke in 1937 and died in 1942. no photo available
1923-1925 Charles Frederick Knuth, Mayor Charles Frederick Knuth (1875-1934), developer, dairyman. There were two attempts to recall Mayor Knuth after attempting to build a new city hall adjacent to his own development and being arrested for organizing the destruction and movement of Ocean Blvd for the planned Mizner Mile. A recall election in October 1925 was successful. Mayor
1925-1928 Roy O. Myers, Mayor Roy Osbourne Myers (1890-1970) grocer and mayor between 1925-1928. Elected in special election, October 1925. Mayor
1929-1931 Wade Hampton Tillman Holloway, Mayor Wade Hampton Tillman Holloway (1883–1960) was owner of a dredging company and mayor April 1929-April 1932; Holloway did not seek reelection, and instead pursued an unsuccessful bid to be sheriff of PBC.  Mayor
1932-1937 Henry Darius Stevens, Mayor Henry Darius Stevens (1879-1952) local businessman, after winning the election, was charged in 1933 with attempting to influence election by offering the job of police chief to several people (four testified), however, he was acquitted in October. Ran unopposed in 1935 for a second three year term. Resigned early to open a business in Lake Worth, February 1937. Later was a judge in Boynton Beach. no photo available
1937-1941 Marcus Aechylus "M.A" Weaver, Mayor Marcus Aechylus Weaver (1887-1960), dairyman was elected April 1937 to fill term of Stevens, then ran unopposed in April 1938. Mayor
1941-1944 Fred G. Benson, Mayor Fred Gust Benson (1898–1979) Moved to Boynton in 1908. Fernery and nursery owner, banker, and businessman. Very active in the community, including helping to organize the volunteer fire department, master of the Masonic Lodge, charter member and past president of the Rotary Club, director of First Federal Savings and Loan. Mayor
1944 -1945 William J. Daly, Mayor William J. Daly (1886-1946), construction engineer and mayor between 1944-1945. Elected in April 1944 for a three year term; tendered his resignation early due to ill health, March 1945. Mayor
1946-1947 Paul Mercer, Mayor Paul Mercer (1902–1970) ran with no opposition in April 1946 after Daly resigned. Defeated in April 1947, however, the results of this election were thrown out due to accusations of fraudulent voting. He then lost a special election. Mayor
1947-1948 Fred Leroy Purinton, Mayor

Fred Leroy Purinton (1888-1954) was elected mayor in April 1947, 287 to 281 votes. However, after accusations of improper voting, Purinton refused to take office until another election was held, which he also won, 386 to 316.

 Mayor
1948 Bernard V. Tattersall, Mayor Bernard V. Tattersall (1897-1948) retired bond dealer, director of Boynton Beach State Bank (1947) and mayor in 1948.  A new charter, adopted October 1947, had some confusing language about who was to be Mayor after the January 1948 election, and Purington sued for a decision. The court found that Tattersall's claim was the valid one on 10 April 1948, then Tattersall died in office in 1 Nov 1948. Mayor
1948 W. Turner Woolbright Sr., Acting Mayor

William Turner “Sam” Woolbright (1908-1994) electrical contractor.

 Mayor
1948-1954 Fred Leroy Purinton, Mayor Fred Leroy Purinton (1888-1954). The election of January 1948 resulted in a lawsuit to settle who was mayor. The town charter had been changed in October 1947, and there was some contention. The suit in April 1948 declared B.V. Tattersall the new mayor, who then died in office in November. Purinton was elected in December 1948. He died in office in 1954. Mayor
1954 Howard Hood, Mayor C. Howard Hood (1905-1981)      Vice-Mayor under Purinton, became acting mayor at Purinton's death in office. Also president of the Boynton Beach Rotary Club (1956). Mayor
1954-1955 Alva E. Shook, Mayor Alva Earl Shook (1907-2000), contractor, was mayor of Boynton Beach between 1954-1955. Mayor
1956 C. Stanley Weaver, Mayor Charles Stanley Weaver (1922-2010), farmer, was mayor of Boynton Beach Florida in 1956. Mayor
1957 Mott H. Partin, Mayor Mott Hall Partin (1892-1960) Mott Hall Partin (1892-1960) served as Chief of Police for Boynton Beach Florida from 1932 to 1942, doubling as the water superintendant. In 1943 became a deputy sheriff of Palm Beach County. Mayor
1958 L.S. Chadwell, Mayor Leonard Shirley Chadwell (1887-1965) retired on disability from the U.S. Army after WWI. He moved to Boynton Beach from San Antonio, Texas in 1952 after becoming the second husband of Bertha May Daugharty Williams Chadwell (1887-1982). He served as mayor of Boynton Beach, Florida in 1958. Mayor
1959 James J. Mahoney, Mayor James J. Mahoney, realtor, served as mayor of Boynton Beach, Florida in 1959 and 1965. Mayor
1960 Harvey Oyer, Jr., Mayor Harvey Eugene Oyer, Jr. (1926-2010), local businessman, served as mayor of Boynton Beach, Florida in 1960. Mayor
1961 John A. Archie, Mayor Born John Leonard Arcidiano (1927-2005) was mayor of Boynton Beach Florida in 1961 and 1963. Unsuccessfully ran for state house in 1965. Moved to Boynton in 1954, opened a plumbing business. He was very active in the Boynton Beach Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, and the Circus Saints and Sinners Club. Mayor
1962 J. Willard Pipes, Mayor Jay Willard Pipes (1893-1979) retired as Vice President of Pepsi-Cola, and moved to Boynton Beach in c. 1948 with wife Jean Rider Pipes (1913-1999). They owned three commercial fishing boats in Boynton Beach. He was elected mayor in January 1962, resigned August 1962. Mayor
1962 Thomas A. Summers, Acting Mayor Thomas A. "Al" Summers (1907-1983), electrical contractor, became mayor when he took over after Pipes' resignation in August 1962. Moved to Citra, Florida in 1976. Mayor
1963 John A. Archie, Mayor Born John Leonard Arcidiano (1927-2005) was mayor of Boynton Beach Florida in 1961 and 1963. Unsuccessfully ran for state house in 1965. Moved to Boynton in 1954, opened a plumbing business. He was very active in the Boynton Beach Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, and the Circus Saints and Sinners Club. Mayor
1964 J. Allison Banks, Mayor James Allison Banks (1908-1993) was a farmer in Pompano Beach, then moved to Boynton in about 1958. He served for many years on the Boynton Beach City Council and was mayor in 1964. In 1967, at the age of 59, he and his wife Mary Sue started a new career as missionaries with the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board and lived in Israel, Austria, India, and Yemen. He died in 1993 in Winter Haven. Mayor
1965 James J. Mahoney, Mayor   Mayor
1966 Walter A. Madsen, Mayor Walter Arthur Otto Madsen (1890-1984) retired to Boynton Beach in 1956 and served as mayor in 1966. The Walter Madsen Senior Center was named in his honor. Mayor
1967 Frank McCoy, Jr., Mayor Frank McCoy Jr., telephone repairman for Bell South, became a city council member in 1965, as a "Goldwater Conservative." In January 1967 he became mayor, but resigned on 8 March 1967 for personal reasons. He later ran for county commissioner (1970) as a Democrat. Mayor
1967-1968 Michael V. Michael, Mayor Michael V. Michael (1936-2018), president of Michael's Nursery Inc., served as mayor 1967-1968. After 64 days in office as city council member, he assumed the post of mayor after Frank McCoy Jr. resigned suddenly on 8 March 1967. He served as a council member until 1971. Mayor
1969 Vincent J. Gallo, Sr., Mayor Vincent J. Gallo, owner of insurance company in Boynton Beach, became mayor in 1969. Mayor
1970 Thomas A. Summers, Mayor Thomas A. "Al" Summers (1907-1983), electrical contractor, became mayor when he took over after Pipes' resignation in August 1962. Moved to Citra, Florida in 1976. Mayor
1971 Forest L. Wallace, Mayor Forest L. "Fess" Wallace was mayor in 1971, and later served as councilmember 1972-1974. He was also Dean of boys at Golfview Junior High in West Palm Beach in 1971. Mayor
1972 Robert B. Effron, Mayor Robert B. Effron (1926-2008) Served as mayor in 1972. He later owned a hardware store in St. Cloud, Florida. Mayor
1973 Emily M. Jackson, Mayor Emily McCloud Jackson (1907-1992) was the first female mayor of Boynton Beach. Moved to Boynton Beach in 1951 after a career in teaching in Connecticut. Served on the city council from 1970-1973 and 1975-1978 as mayor in 1973 and 1978. She moved to Palm Beach Gardens in 1980 and then to Jupiter in 1988. Mayor
1974 Joe DeLong, Mayor Joe DeLong (1904-1986) was elected mayor in 1974 and 1976. Originally from Jersey City, DeLong retired to Hileah, Florida in 1950. He was mayor of Boca Raton (elected 1959 and 1963). DeLong moved to Boynton Beach in 1970. Mayor
1975 David Roberts, Mayor David Roberts (1907-1993), retired insurance executive, moved to Boynton Beach in 1970 was mayor in 1975. Photo published in the Palm Beach Post 11 Sept 1993. Mayor
1976 Joe De Long, Mayor Joe DeLong (1904-1986) was elected mayor in 1974 and 1976. Originally from Jersey City, DeLong retired to Hileah, Florida in 1950. He was mayor of Boca Raton (elected 1959 and 1963). DeLong moved to Boynton Beach in 1970. Mayor
1977 Joseph F. Zack, Mayor Joseph F. Zack (1910-1998) was a school superintendent in Ohio and mayor of Boynton Beach in 1977. Mayor
1978 Emily M. Jackson, Mayor Emily McCloud Jackson (1907-1992) was the first female mayor of Boynton Beach. Moved to Boynton Beach in 1951 after a career in teaching in Connecticut. Served on the city council from 1970-1973 and 1975-1978 as mayor in 1973 and 1978. She moved to Palm Beach Gardens in 1980 and then to Jupiter in 1988. Mayor
1979 Edward F. Harmening, Mayor   Mayor
1980 Betty Riscoe, Mayor Betty Riscoe (b. 1934), pharmacy technician, was elected mayor in January 1980; she resigned July 1980 due to personal issues. Mayor
1981 Edward F. Harmening, Mayor Appointed in July 1980 after Riscoe resigned. Mayor
1982 Walter M. Trauger, Mayor Walter "Marty" Trauger (1915-1993) former Army colonel and teacher at Palm Beach Atlantic College, was mayor in 1982. Mayor
1983-1984 Jim Warnke, Mayor James Warnke (1921-2004), mayor in 1983-1984. Mayor
1985 Carl E. Zimmerman, Mayor

Carl E. Zimmerman (1915-2005), former schoolteacher, ran unopposed in 1985 for mayor.

In January 1985, voters began to vote directly for the position of mayor, who would serve for two years. Previously, the council member with the most votes became vice-mayor for one year and mayor the next.

zimmerman

 
1986-1988 Nick Cassandra, Mayor Nicholas Cassandra (1928-2007) was mayor from 1986-1988, stepped down July 1988 to run for a county commission seat. Mayor
1988 Ezell Hester, Jr., Acting Mayor Ezell Hester Jr. (1931-1989) worked 31 years as an educator, including 13 years teaching mathematics at Congress Middle School. Hester was the first African-American to run for City Council (1966). He became Acting Mayor in July 1988 when Nick Cassandra stepped down, until the 6 Sept 1988 election. In 1988, a 2 term limit was introduced, so Hester was not able to run for Mayor. Mayor
1988-1989 Ralph Marchese, Mayor (1919-2007) Elected Sept 1988 as interm Mayor. Runoff election 28 March 1989, lost to Gene Moore Mayor
1989-1991 Gene Moore, Mayor Gene Moore (b. 1929) , lawyer, was mayor 1989-1991. He was also city attorney 1968-1972 and 1977-1978. Mayor
1991-1993 Arline Weiner, Mayor Arline Weiner (b. 1933), retired legal secretary, was mayor 1991-1993. Mayor
1993-1995 Edward F. Harmening, Mayor Elected March 1993. Mayor
1995-1999 Jerry Taylor, Mayor 1997 ran unopposed for second term Mayor
1999-2003 Gerald Broening, Mayor Gerald Broening (b. 1935) was mayor 1999-2003. He was a Retired Air Force officer and aerospace company executive; former director of communications with Pratt & Whitney. Mayor
2003-2010 Jerry Taylor, Mayor   Mayor
2010-2012 Jose Rodriguez, Mayor Suspended in January 2012 Mayor
2012 Woodrow Hay, Acting Mayor Interim Mayor after Mayor Rodriguez suspended. Mayor
2013-2016 Jerry Taylor, Mayor Elected March 2013 Mayor
2016-2022 Steven B. Grant, Mayor Elected March 2016 Mayor
2022-present Ty Penserga, Mayor Elected March 2022 Penserga

Click here to read about the incorporation of the town of Boynton, 14 April 1920, from Ordinance Book #1