Palm Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, January 25, 2026

1. The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park Marker

Inscription. (First plaque)
The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park

In honor of Ambassador Earl E. T. Smith

The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach

(Second plaque)
Earl E. T. Smith was a respected civic and political leader whose government career was distinguished by appointments from four presidents. He served his country and community as U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, Mayor of Palm Beach and as the first Chairman of the Board of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.

This park honors Smith's legendary public works, his efforts to better the lives of his fellow citizens and his passion for preserving the beauty of the town he loved, Palm Beach.

(Third plaque)
In 1987, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach purchased a parking lot in the Town Hall Historic District with the intention of creating an intimate park within the urban corridor that honored its founding Chairman Earl E. T. Smith. The fortieth anniversary of the Preservation Foundation was celebrated through the rededication of Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park on January 15, 2020.

Rehabilitation of this privately-owned, public park would not have been possible

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without the vision and generosity of Samuel Lehrman.

(Fourth plaque)
Mr. Nathan Appleman • Mr. John J. Brogan • The E. L. Cord Foundation • Mr. and Mrs. Max Fisher • Mrs. Mary Alice Fortin • Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. Fuller • Mr. and Mrs. J. Ira Harris • Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Hoffstot • Mr. and Mrs. John D. Mashek, Jr. • Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Harding Mott • Mr. Lloyd Smith • Margaret Dorrance Strawbridge Foundation • U.S. Sugar Charitable Trust

Erected 2020 by The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.

Location. 26° 42.16′ N, 80° 2.209′ W. Marker is in Palm Beach, Florida, in Palm Beach County. It can be reached from the intersection of South County Road and Chilean Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 356 S County Road, Palm Beach FL 33480, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Florida,

on the Gold Coast,

on the Treasure Coast,

and in Greater Miami.

It is also

The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park Marker - Second Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, January 25, 2026

2. The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park Marker - Second Plaque

in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Palm Beach Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Palm Beach World War II Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gold Star Memorial (about 500 feet away); Site of the Palm Beach Pier (approx. ¼ mile away); Episcopal Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cocoanut Grove House (approx. ¾ mile away); The Royal Poinciana Chapel (approx. 0.8 miles away); Sea Gull Cottage (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palm Beach.

Also see . . .
1. Earl E. T. Smith (Wikipedia).

Earl Edward Tailer Smith (July 8, 1903 – February 15, 1991) was an American financier and diplomat, who served as ambassador
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, January 25, 2026

3. The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park Marker - Third Plaque
to Cuba from 1957 to 1959 and as mayor of Palm Beach from 1971 to 1977.

(Submitted on January 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

2. Earl E. T. Smith Park (Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach).

...The park’s Mediterranean-inspired architecture and lush native landscaping provide a serene escape for residents and visitors alike. Its layout remains true to the Garden Club’s 1929 plan for a town square, preserving the area’s historic rhythm while creating a green space that invites reflection and community connection.

(Submitted on January 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)

The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park Marker - Sponsorship Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, January 25, 2026

4. The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park Marker - Sponsorship Plaque

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, January 25, 2026

5. The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park Marker

The plaques line the entrance to the park.

The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, January 25, 2026

6. The Earl E. T. Smith Preservation Park

Inside the park, which consists of well-shaded benches arranged around a fountain.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 59 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 26, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.