West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
West Palm Beach Fishing Club
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 6, 2018
1. West Palm Beach Fishing Club Marker
Founded in 1934, the West Palm Beach Fishing Club (WPBFC) is among the last of Florida's great angling clubs. It was pivotal in boosting Florida tourism during and after the Great Depression and promoting the appeal of sport fishing. The club’s Silver Sailfish Derby, launched in 1935, is the forerunner of all billfish (e.g., sailfish and marlin) tournaments worldwide. WPBFC pioneered the display of red catch-and-release pennants in 1938. Recognizing its enormous impact, the City of West Palm Beach partnered with the club to build this clubhouse in 1940 on land donated by the Florida East Coast Railway. At the time, the county's largest charter fishing fleet was located across the street. A portion of the building once housed the City’s Recreation Commission and later a state-operated marine laboratory. The WPBFC is a leader in marine conservation and has benefited from the membership of such luminaries as boat builder John Rybovich, marine scientist Frank Mather, baseball great Ted Williams, golf legends Sam Snead and Jack Nicklaus, and author Ernest Hemingway. The WPBFC is a repository of local fishing memorabilia and historic game fish mounts.
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Erected 2017 by The West Palm Beach Fishing Club, City of West Palm Beach and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-975.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 26° 43.075′ N, 80° 3.035′ W. Marker is in West Palm Beach, Florida, in Palm Beach County. Marker is at the intersection of Fifth Street and North Flagler Drive, on the left when traveling east on Fifth Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Fifth Street, West Palm Beach FL 33401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dade County State Bank Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old St. Ann's Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Former State of Florida Board of Health Laboratory (approx. ¼ mile away); Flagler Memorial Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away); Flagler Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Royal Poinciana Hotel (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sea Gull Cottage (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Palm Beach.
Also see . . . West Palm Beach Fishing Club. (Submitted on December 10, 2018.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon
2. West Palm Beach Fishing Club Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
