City of Deerfield Beach

City of Deerfield Beach Municipal Water Report Info
History of Deerfield Beach

Imagine a passenger train slowly coming to a halt in the warmth of a Florida evening. Travelers step down to stretch their legs and gather pineapples growing near the tracks while the train takes on water. The air carries the pleasant aroma of sea mist and blooming flowers. Soon, the train bell signals departure, and passengers reluctantly board, gazing back at this peaceful, abundant area.

This scene likely occurred frequently in the early 1900s as trains passed through the flourishing settlement that would become Deerfield Beach. The city's history began in 1877 when the first non-natives observed the marshes, dense vegetation, and pine forests along the Hillsboro River flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

By 1890, a few homes appeared along the winding Hillsboro River, named after the Earl of Hillsborough who received this land from King George III. In 1896, Henry M. Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railroad down the coast to Miami, opening up the tropical wilderness that had primarily been home to local wildlife and Seminole Indians.

On June 22, 1898, a post office was established in Deerfield, Florida, serving just 20 settlers. The name was chosen because of the numerous deer grazing along the Hillsboro River, which formed the northern boundary of the settlement.

By 1910, the intersection of today's Hillsboro Boulevard and Dixie Highway became Deerfield's business center, featuring several stores, a lodge, post office, and hotels. The agricultural produce shed adjacent to the railroad depot was crucial to the town's economy, with Deerfield tomatoes ranking among Florida's finest.

The Town of Deerfield incorporated on June 11, 1925, with George Emory Butler, Jr. elected as the first mayor. That same year saw the opening of the first public library serving a population of approximately 1,300 residents. In 1939, the town was renamed Deerfield Beach with around 1,800 inhabitants.

After World War II, tourists began discovering Deerfield's scenic oceanfront, evidenced by new hotels along the shore. The Lions Club, established in 1947, created Pioneer Park along the Hillsboro Canal and started the annual fundraising celebration now known as Founders' Day.

Today, Deerfield Beach boasts a diverse economy spanning tourism, distribution, manufacturing, and office industries. With over 50,000 year-round residents, the city hosts professional sporting events and offers exceptional recreational programs and green spaces that attract both residents and employers to thrive in South Florida's growing global economy.