Lake Worth, Florida
Bordered on the east by the Lake Worth Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, the City of Lake Worth occupies seven square miles in Florida’s most affluent county, Palm Beach County. Two of the biggest attractions for moving to Lake Worth are the city’s tropical climate and cultural diversity. Lake Worth’s topical climate and topography create the perfect setting for gardening, golfing, sailing or just plain lounging on the beach. Home to 37,000 people from diverse backgrounds, Lake Worth takes pride in its multicultural atmosphere that welcomes people of all ethnicities, religion and lifestyle choices. It’s never too late to start calling Lake Worth top moving companies to experience the uniquely exciting South Florida lifestyle in the hearth of Palm Beach County.
Economy:
The economy of Lake Worth thrives on tourism, real estate, professional services and retail. Home-grown businesses generally cater to the needs of local residents, tourists and retirees who are moving to Lake Worth to take advantage of its affordable lifestyle and active retirement communities. Local employment is spread across the administrative and support services, construction, accommodation and food services, health care, professional services, finance and insurance, agriculture, forestry and fishing, educational services and arts and entertainment. Recently, the city government has embarked on beach and improvements to improve parking, vehicular traffic and the beachside park, as well as rehabilitate the historic Lake Worth Municipal Casino Building. Recession has hit housing values hard, but recovery is slowly proceeding and the city is continuing to promote the development of a mix of for-sale and rental housing in Lake Worth, with an emphasis on owner-occupied units.
History:
The development of present-day Lake Worth started when American tycoon and railroad magnate Henry Flagler purchased land on both sides of Lake Worth, after being struck by the lake’s beauty when he first visited in 1892. Subsequently, Flagler established a new town on the west side of Lake Worth, which became accessible to new settlers after Flagler extended his Florida East Coast Railway south from West Palm Beach to Miami in 1896. Lake Worth was officially incorporated in 1912. The early twentieth century saw more settlers moving to Lake Worth and setting up homes, churches, grocery stores and restaurants.
The first municipal building was constructed in 1915, which functioned as a multipurpose City Hall, fire station, jail and library. More structures were built after World War I, including the first bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway, the Lake Worth Casino, Oakley Theater and the Lake Worth Golf Course. The hurricane of 1928 severely damaged Lake Worth, which, coupled with the Great Depression, brought the city to the brink of economic disaster. The city’s fortunes improved after World War II with many immigrants from Quebec, Finland, Germany, Ireland and Central America moving to Lake Worth, bringing with them their strong worth ethic and native customs. Today, the cultural legacies of Lake Worth’s early immigrants can be seen in the city’s diverse mix of restaurants, shops, neighborhoods and festivals.
Tourism:
With Palm Beach County’s historic reputation as the favorite winter hideaway of wealthy Northeastern pensioners, it’s not surprising to find that recreational experiences in Lake Worth are centered on the sun, surf and turf. Sun-worshippers who are moving to Lake Worth won’t be disappointed. The Lake Worth Municipal Beach boasts 1,200 feet of sandy beach, two sit-down restaurants and a 900-foot pier with a ballroom and stores selling ice cream, jewelry and other knick-knacks. Boats and jetskis rentals can be rented by those who wish to go beyond the beach. If you prefer to stay dry, give the municipal golf course a try. Operating since 1927, the Lake Worth Golf Course and Pro Shop is a scenic 6,100-yard, par-70 course located along the Intracoastal Waterway. Lake Worth’s hip downtown is home to unique shops, casual and fine restaurants, exciting bars, art galleries and the historic Lake Worth Playhouse.
Colleges/Universities:
• Palm Beach State College
• Palm Beach Atlantic University
Interesting Facts:
• The city of Lake Worth takes its name from the body of water that borders the city to the east. The Lake Worth Lagoon was itself named after Colonel William Jenkins Worth.
• The city used to be called Jewel in the late 1800s and became Lucerne in 1912, before officially taking the name Lake Worth.
• Lake Worth has one of the largest Finnish communities in the United States.
• The Lake Worth Municipal Anthem was written by Dr. W.H. Cotton.
Helpful Links:
• City of Lake Worth
• Lake Worth Real Estate
• Lake Worth Storage Facility
• Lake Worth Moving Guide