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 On March 20, 1959 John D. MacArthur, multimillionaire insurance magnate and
landowner, announced his plan to develop approximately 4,000 acres and provide
homes for 55,000 people in a new community. This land would be developed under
his careful supervision. Mr. MacArthur 's chosen name for the city was Palm
Beach City. However, permission to use that name was denied, so MacArthur , in
keeping with his "garden city" plan, decided to call the city Palm Beach
Gardens. He wanted this new city to be a place to raise a family and make a
living, to realize the American dream. With this in mind, he set to work carving
the City of Palm Beach Gardens from empty miles of dairy cattle grazing land.
Mr. MacArthur envisioned the city streets lined with trees and flowers. Millions
of dollars were wisely invested by MacArthur to create a Florida community with
hundreds of waterways, rolling terrain, magnificent mature pine and shade trees,
and rich foliage. Because Mr. MacArthur was a lover of trees and Mother Nature,
he instructed that city streets and construction go around trees that had been
growing there for many years. This made for an expensive proposition but he
wanted to build a city that was entirely new and unblemished. Churches were the
first buildings to be built in the city. He wanted to ensure that the City had a
variety of houses of worship to serve residents of all faiths.
By 1964, Mr. MacArthur was satisfied with the industry and recreation in Palm
Beach Gardens. He heard that the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) was
looking for a new site for their home offices and golf courses. MacArthur
donated more than $2,000,000 to the project. In March 1965, the clubhouse was
completed and the PGA moved in. Several PGA tournaments, including the Seniors
and the World Cup, were hosted by the City in 1971, but the relationship would
not last. In 1972, the PGA moved from the property that would become the J.D.M.
Country Club and today is known as Ballen Isles.
The City of Palm Beach Gardens has grown steadily during its forty years in
existence. In 1999, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation sold
approximately 14,000 acres of land including approximately 5,000 acres in the
City of Palm Beach Gardens. The City Council, entrusted with the responsibility
of ensuring quality development, was able to reach an agreement with the
purchasers to manage this new growth. Through the cooperation of the parties
involved, the reputation and beauty of the City of Palm Beach Gardens will be
preserved and enhanced by keeping in mind the "garden city" philosophy of its
founder John D. MacArthur . The City of Palm Beach Gardens remains a premiere
community in which to live and work, and will for future generations. As our
city slogan suggests, we are "Growing Together in the Gardens".
The History of the Famous Palm Beach Gardens Banyan Trees
 John D. MacArthur, founder of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, took great
strides to uphold the "gardens theme" and the beauty of his new community. He
envisioned winding streets without sidewalks named after flowers and trees and
lush native and transplanted foliage. The story of the 80-year old Banyan Tree
is one testament of Mr. MacArthur 's commitment to his new "gardens" community.
While in the midst of landscaping his new city in late 1960, he heard about a
resident in a neighboring town who was being forced to cut down a Banyan Tree in
her yard. The tree was threatening the foundation of her home and damaging the
street in front of her residence. Mr. MacArthur had the idea of moving the tree
and planting it at the entrance of his new city at the intersection of Northlake
Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard, formerly Garden Boulevard. The tree weighed
75 tons, was 60 feet high and had a limb spread of 125 feet. Because of its
size, the City needed six months to prepare the tree for the move to its new
location.
On the morning of April 26, 1961, John D. MacArthur sent two cranes to lift the
tree onto two cargo trailers for the move to its new home five miles away.
However, an unforeseen problem arose when a feed mill truck burst and spewed
10,000 gallons of molasses onto a roadway that was specially bulldozed to move
the tree. The fill used to cover the spill raised the roadway just enough to
make the tree hit and snap several railway signal lines which caused crossing
gates to close for eight miles. Additionally, a cable parted while the tree was
being hoisted over 18-foot Western Union lines connecting southern Florida with
the rest of the world. The tree dropped when one of the cables being used to
hoist the tree over the train tracks snapped under the heavy strain of the tree.
When the 1:30 p.m. train came down the tracks it was forced to stop and workmen
quickly got busy sawing off the limbs of the tree to clear the tracks. Thirteen
minutes later the train was on its way again.
Shortly after 2:00 p.m., the tree was dropped into the large hole that had been
prepared. The Rev. A. P. Snyder of St. John's Evangelical Church said a prayer.
Mr. MacArthur traveled with the entourage the whole trip and threw the first
shovel of dirt over the roots of the tree. The entire process cost $30,000 and
1008 hours of manpower. Approximately one year later, a second tree was moved to
keep company with the first tree. It was a smaller tree weighing only 40 tons.
When people questioned the expense of moving older trees instead of planting new
ones, Mr. MacArthur responded by saying, "I can buy anything but age. This tree
will be the centerpiece of our entrance, and while we could plant a little one
there, I wouldn't be around 80 years from now to see it as it should be". Mr.
MacArthur 's philosophy continues today, as the City Council and staff apply
strict guidelines for landscaping and aesthetics in all current and future
development. The two Banyan trees remain standing proudly at the entrance to the
City of Palm Beach Gardens as a reminder to us all. Thank you Mr. MacArthur for
these gifts of beauty.
Palm Beach Gardens is a beautiful city to work, live and play!
Let me assist you in new Palm
Beach Gardens Florida home or real estate purchase. With my real estate
knowledge, I can direct you to current real estate listings in Palm Beach
Gardens Florida and better assist you in the selection of the best style,
quality and location of your new home for your lifestyle. The purchase of Palm
Beach Gardens Real Estate is a very important matter and it is my intent to help
you to make your decision process as stress free and enjoyable as possible. - We
hope to see you here soon! |
