Pioneering Palm Beach: The Deweys and the South Florida Frontier - Softcover

Ginger L. Pedersen; Janet M. DeVries

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1609496574 ISBN 13: 9781609496579

Publisher: The History Press, 2012

Synopsis

Palm Beach's sunny and idyllic shores had humble beginnings as a wilderness of sawgrass and swamps only braved by the hardiest of souls. Two such adventurers were Fred and Byrd "Birdie" Spilman Dewey, who pioneered in central Florida before discovering the tropical beauty of Palm Beach in 1887. Though their story was all but lost, this dynamic couple was vital in transforming the region from a rough backcountry into a paradise poised for progress. Authors Ginger Pedersen and Janet DeVries trace the remarkable history of the Deweys in South Florida from their beginnings on the isolated frontier to entertaining the likes of the Flaglers, Vanderbilts, Phippses, Cluetts, Clarkes and other Palm Beach elite. Using Birdie's autobiographical writings from her best-selling books to fill in the gaps, Pedersen and DeVries narrate a chapter in Florida's history that has remained untold until now.

About this title

About the Author

Ginger L. Pedersen is a Palm Beach County native. She writes a local history blog and serves on the City of Boynton Beach Historic Preservation Board as Vice Chair, is the VP for membership for the Boynton Beach Historical Society, and is a member of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Janet M. DeVries serves as the historian and archivist for both the Boynton Beach City Library and the Boynton Beach Historical Society. She is also the curator for the Children's Schoolhouse Museum in Boynton Beach, and the author of four books. Harvey E. Oyer III is the President of the Lake Worth Pioneers Association. He previously served as the Chairman for the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.

Review

"Long before Henry Flagler and his railroad thundered through South Florida, a pioneering husband and wife set down humble stakes in Palm Beach County. Arriving by boat in 'the Lake Worth Country' in 1887, Fred and Byrd "Birdie" Spilman Dewey were the little-known first settlers to build a homestead on sugar-sand surrounded by swamp and sawgrass." --Doreen Christensen, Sun-Sentinel

Fortunately for the authors, they found a magnificent focal point in the lives and writings of two such pioneers, Fred and Birdie Dewey, providing readers with a general story of the region's gradual development anchored by a specific, personal story." --Phil Jason, Florida Weekly

The authors also painted a vivid picture of early life in South Florida, naming familiar landmarks to enable the reader to compare between today's Florida and yesterday's Florida. Highly recommended!" --Rosa Sophia, Author

Edition details

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1609496574
• ISBN 13: 9781609496579
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128