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

Palm Beach Junior College

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 3, 2016

1. Palm Beach Junior College Marker

Inscription.

Palm Beach Junior College. . , This Mediterranean Revival style building housed Palm Beach Junior College, Florida’s first public community college, when it was established here in 1933. The college outgrew these facilities after the Second World War and moved in 1948 to Morrison Field, a U.S. Army Air Base, renovated to accommodate the influx of students in peace time. In 1955 the college relocated to its present site in Lake Worth., Among the civic leaders responsible for promoting the concept of the junior college were Palm Beach County Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Youngblood and Palm Beach High School Principal Howell L. Watkins. The college served as a model for the state-wide system of Junior Colleges. Three students were in the first graduating class of 1936. In 1936 John I. Leonard became the first president of the Palm Beach Junior College. (Continued on other side). Reverse: (Continued from other side). William Manley King (1886-1961), a noted West Palm Beach architect, designed this building in the Mediterranean Revival style so popular in Florida in the 1920’s. The design complemented the adjacent Palm Beach High School campus and this building was occupied in 1927. As architect for the Palm Beach County Board of Public Instruction he designed numerous school buildings throughout Palm Beach County. Mr. King also designed hotels in West Palm Beach, the National Guard Armory (1939), the Hibiscus Garden Apartments (1926) and the seal for the City of West Palm Beach., In June 1991 the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Mediterranean Revival classroom building continued to serve the needs of the School Board and in November 1991 it was returned to Palm Beach Community College. The College Foundation undertook the challenge of restoring the building for the continuing education of citizens in our community. This historical marker is dedicated to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Palm Beach Community College, 1933-1993.

This Mediterranean Revival style building housed Palm Beach Junior College, Florida’s first public community college, when it was established here in 1933. The college outgrew these facilities after the Second World War and moved in 1948 to Morrison Field, a U.S. Army Air Base, renovated to accommodate the influx of students in peace time. In 1955 the college relocated to its present site in Lake Worth.

Among the civic leaders responsible for promoting the concept of the junior college were Palm Beach County Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Youngblood and Palm Beach High School Principal Howell L. Watkins. The college served as a model for the state-wide system of Junior Colleges. Three students were in the first graduating class of 1936. In 1936 John I. Leonard became the first president of the Palm Beach Junior College. (Continued on other side) Reverse: (Continued from other side) William Manley King (1886-1961), a noted West Palm Beach architect, designed this building in the Mediterranean Revival style so popular in Florida in the 1920’s. The design complemented the adjacent Palm Beach High School campus

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and this building was occupied in 1927. As architect for the Palm Beach County Board of Public Instruction he designed numerous school buildings throughout Palm Beach County. Mr. King also designed hotels in West Palm Beach, the National Guard Armory (1939), the Hibiscus Garden Apartments (1926) and the seal for the City of West Palm Beach.

In June 1991 the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Mediterranean Revival classroom building continued to serve the needs of the School Board and in November 1991 it was returned to Palm Beach Community College. The College Foundation undertook the challenge of restoring the building for the continuing education of citizens in our community. This historical marker is dedicated to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Palm Beach Community College, 1933-1993.

Erected 1993 by The Palm Beach Community College Foundation in Cooperation with the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-346.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.

Location. 26° 42.582′ N, 80° 3.621′ W. Marker

Palm Beach Junior College Marker reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 3, 2016

2. Palm Beach Junior College Marker reverse

is in West Palm Beach, Florida, in Palm Beach County. It can be reached from Gardenia Street 0.1 miles south of Fern Street when traveling west. Located on the grounds of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 813 Gardenia Street, West Palm Beach FL 33401, 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 in the American South.

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 High School (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Seaboard Air Line Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1916 Palm Beach County Courthouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); Old St. Ann's Church (approx. 0.7 miles

Palm Beach Junior College Marker and school building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 3, 2016

3. Palm Beach Junior College Marker and school building

away); Flagler Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Former State of Florida Board of Health Laboratory (approx. 0.7 miles away); Votes for Women (approx. 0.7 miles away); Grandview Heights Historic District (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Palm Beach.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Clematis Street Commercial Historic District (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 939 times since then and 132 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.