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95-485: At its peak, the hotel included nearly 1,100 rooms, accommodations for 2,000 guests, and a seasonal workforce of at least 1,400 people. Following a massive fire at The Breakers in 1925 and its re-opening in 1926, the Royal Poinciana Hotel began to draw fewer travelers and part-time residents, who instead favored the newly renovated Breakers. The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane extensively damaged

190-500: A conservatory . Workers also renovated existing rooms, with the Chicago Tribune noting "there are new baths, new furniture, a two-story colonnade; the great dining room opened for the first time since the 1928 hurricane, and the famous cocoanut grove restored to its former beauty." Upon opening for the following season, the capacity for the Royal Poinciana Hotel stood at about 900 guests, down from 1,200 prior to

285-537: A ball game outside of Palm Beach... (are) rooting hard for their favorite team. Twelve years after Flagler's death, The Breakers caught fire again on March 18, 1925, attributed to an electric curling iron that had been left on in a room occupied by the wife of Chicago mayor William Hale Thompson . The hotel had more than 400 guests at the time, including Titanic survivor Margaret Brown , actress Billie Burke , and General Foods owner Marjorie Merriweather Post , although The Palm Beach Post noted on

380-537: A ball game outside of Palm Beach... (are) rooting hard for their favorite team. Twelve years after Flagler's death, The Breakers caught fire again on March 18, 1925, attributed to an electric curling iron that had been left on in a room occupied by the wife of Chicago mayor William Hale Thompson . The hotel had more than 400 guests at the time, including Titanic survivor Margaret Brown , actress Billie Burke , and General Foods owner Marjorie Merriweather Post , although The Palm Beach Post noted on

475-543: A casino, a saltwater bath, and the first 18-hole golf course in Florida. However, during the fourth expansion of The Breakers on June 9, 1903, fire broke out in the casino kitchen, which became visible as far away as Fort Pierce and Miami . Efforts by the East Coast and West Palm Beach fire departments proved futile, with the hotel, a cottage, the casino, and several nearby stores burning down. Dynamite used on

570-404: A conference between Bemis and Florida East Coast Hotel Company officers such as president William R. Kenan Jr. , vice president L. C. Haines, and general counsel Scott Loftin , the company announced on October 27, 1932, that the Royal Poinciana Hotel would not open during the upcoming tourism season, but did not intend to keep the hotel closed permanently. However, after failing to re-open for

665-485: A direct result of the fire, but according to The Palm Beach Post , Breakers manager John Greene was unaware of any injuries or deaths. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Royal Poinciana Hotel accommodated approximately 450 guests and 300 employees of The Breakers and the Palm Beach Hotel, while many other of the now-homeless guests and staffers found shelter at the residences of friends or

760-418: A direct result of the fire, but according to The Palm Beach Post , Breakers manager John Greene was unaware of any injuries or deaths. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Royal Poinciana Hotel accommodated approximately 450 guests and 300 employees of The Breakers and the Palm Beach Hotel, while many other of the now-homeless guests and staffers found shelter at the residences of friends or

855-608: A fire destroyed the Cocoanut Grove House in October ;1893. Consequently, two camps then sprang up, one for white workers at the present-day site of Seaview Avenue and another for black workers, called "the Styx", where Sunset and Sunrise avenues intersect North County Road today. The hotel opened on February 11, 1894, initially with 540 rooms, ranging in price from $ 6 to $ 100 per night. Although

950-596: A local band, and a fireworks display. Following Flagler's death in May ;1913, his family held a small funeral in St. Augustine , though a memorial service occurred at the Royal Poinciana Chapel during the following March. Patrons were shuttled between the Royal Poinciana Hotel and The Breakers along a pine trail in wheeled wicker chairs, often referred to as an Afromobile, powered by hotel employees, with

1045-463: A massive fire ignited at The Breakers. Although efforts to the save The Breakers proved futile, firefighters stopped flames from destroying nearby buildings, including the Royal Poinciana Hotel, which "caught [fire] in half a dozen places, but superhuman efforts prevented its destruction.", according to the Gretna Breeze . In September 1903, a hurricane destroyed the railway approach near

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1140-474: A number of people, including approximately 4,500 guests at the Cocoanut Grove House between 1885 and 1893, none lasted long after Flagler's arrival, as the Cocoanut Grove House and Hotel Lake Worth burned down in fires in 1893 and 1897, respectively, and the Oak Lawn House became a private residence around 1900. While demonstrating efforts to develop local tourism and hospitality industries pre-dating

1235-695: A reputation for building grand hotels, such as the Ponce de Leon Hotel and Hotel Alcazar in St. Augustine in 1888 and 1889, respectively, and the Ormond Hotel in Ormond Beach in 1890, while also purchasing the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine in 1888. In addition to attracting many tourists throughout its existence, the Royal Poinciana Hotel played a significant role in the development of

1330-586: A second consecutive season in 1934, the Florida East Coast Hotel Company decided on August 15 of that year to demolish the vast majority of the hotel, aside from the north wing, greenhouse, and colonnades, with work to be completed by December 1, 1935. Beginning in September ;1934, Maxwell Co. of Miami conducted a sale of every item remaining at the Royal Poinciana Hotel, including furniture, fixtures, and pieces of

1425-675: A second hotel in Palm Beach in 1895. This hotel, originally known as the Wayside Inn and later the Palm Beach Inn, was a Georgian Revival -style building. While some sources indicate that the Palm Beach Inn opened on January 16, 1896, a New-York Tribune advertisement in December 1895 indicates that the hotel opened before then. Regardless, the Palm Beach Inn reached full occupancy for most of its first season. Unlike

1520-480: A separate palm trail reserved for pedestrians . In March 1925, a massive fire burned down The Breakers for a second time. Unlike during the 1903 fire, these flames also destroyed several other buildings, including The Breakers' cottages and the Palm Beach Hotel , as well as many nearby shops. Because "sparks flying like cinders from a volcano were showering down over all of Palm Beach", according to

1615-498: A serious fall at his residence, Whitehall . He spent the next few months at The Breakers' Nautilus Cottage, but succumbed to his injuries there on May 20. Since Flagler forbade motorized vehicles on the property, patrons were delivered between the two hotels in wheeled chairs powered by employees. In the winter of 1915–1916, the Breakers Hotel hired the services of Cyclone Joe Williams and many fellow team members of

1710-564: A well-known local Palm Beach contractor, Eugene Hammond, who built the first theater in West Palm Beach and worked on the Palm Beach estate built for Rodman Wanamaker by Addison Mizner (which would become a Kennedy winter retreat in 1933). In January 1926, construction began on the new Breakers hotel, which required over 1,200 workers. Overall, rebuilding the hotel cost approximately $ 7 million. The lobby ceiling

1805-440: A well-known local Palm Beach contractor, Eugene Hammond, who built the first theater in West Palm Beach and worked on the Palm Beach estate built for Rodman Wanamaker by Addison Mizner (which would become a Kennedy winter retreat in 1933). In January 1926, construction began on the new Breakers hotel, which required over 1,200 workers. Overall, rebuilding the hotel cost approximately $ 7 million. The lobby ceiling

1900-512: Is a historic, Renaissance Revival style luxury hotel with 534 rooms. It is located at 1 South County Road in Palm Beach, Florida . During the 1895–96 winter season, business tycoon Henry Flagler opened the first Breakers resort, then the only oceanfront lodging south of Daytona Beach , to accommodate additional tourists due to the popularity of his Royal Poinciana Hotel . Known as the Palm Beach Inn upon its original opening, it

1995-469: The Associated Press , emergency responders brought dynamite to the Royal Poinciana Hotel to prevent the blaze from spreading farther and ordered guests to evacuate the building, but hesitated to use the explosives due to the risk of injuring thousands of people. Although the roof of the Royal Poinciana Hotel appeared to smolder, the structure was spared from the fire. In the immediate aftermath of

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2090-466: The U.S. News & World Report . After experiencing success in the first few years of operation of the nearby Royal Poinciana Hotel , business tycoon Henry Flagler sought to accommodate more travelers on his Florida East Coast Railway and began construction on a second hotel in Palm Beach in 1895. This hotel, originally known as the Wayside Inn and later the Palm Beach Inn, was a Georgian Revival -style building. While some sources indicate that

2185-612: The Lincoln Giants pre-Negro leagues baseball team to take on another pre-Negro leagues baseball team made up of Indianapolis ABCs players hosted by the Royal Poinciana Hotel. The games hosted Negro league baseball stars of the day, including Ben Taylor , C.I. Taylor , Candy Jim Taylor , John Donaldson , Ashby Dunbar , Jim Jeffries , Jimmie Lyons , Bill Francis , Blainey Hall , Dick Wallace , Louis Santop , and Spot Poles . One newspaper column claimed that "Astors, Vanderbilts, Morgans, and hundreds of others, who never see

2280-549: The Lincoln Giants pre-Negro leagues baseball team to take on another pre-Negro leagues baseball team made up of Indianapolis ABCs players hosted by the Royal Poinciana Hotel. The games hosted Negro league baseball stars of the day, including Ben Taylor , C.I. Taylor , Candy Jim Taylor , John Donaldson , Ashby Dunbar , Jim Jeffries , Jimmie Lyons , Bill Francis , Blainey Hall , Dick Wallace , Louis Santop , and Spot Poles . One newspaper column claimed that "Astors, Vanderbilts, Morgans, and hundreds of others, who never see

2375-983: The North African campaign . An agreement filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on September 26, 1944, stated that Ream General Hospital would be returned to civilian use on December 10, with the Florida East Coast Hotel company receiving $ 800,000 in compensation. Thereafter, Palm Beach architect and engineer John Volk and two Miami firms quickly restored The Breakers, allowing some guests to check-in as early as December 24 but not fully re-opening until January 7, 1945. The Flagler System, owners and operators of The Breakers, announced in April ;1969

2470-635: The North African campaign . An agreement filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on September 26, 1944, stated that Ream General Hospital would be returned to civilian use on December 10, with the Florida East Coast Hotel company receiving $ 800,000 in compensation. Thereafter, Palm Beach architect and engineer John Volk and two Miami firms quickly restored The Breakers, allowing some guests to check-in as early as December 24 but not fully re-opening until January 7, 1945. The Flagler System, owners and operators of The Breakers, announced in April 1969

2565-566: The United States Army , who planned to use the building as a temporary hospital facility. The order also included The Breakers' pools and casino, but excluded the cottages and golf course. On November 8, 1943, the U.S. Army named the facility the Ream General Hospital as a tribute to Major William R. Ream, a flight surgeon who died during World War I as a result of a plane crash. The U.S. Army transformed

2660-426: The United States Army , who planned to use the building as a temporary hospital facility. The order also included The Breakers' pools and casino, but excluded the cottages and golf course. On November 8, 1943, the U.S. Army named the facility the Ream General Hospital as a tribute to Major William R. Ream, a flight surgeon who died during World War I as a result of a plane crash. The U.S. Army transformed

2755-456: The breakers ". By the early 1900s, the hotel property also included accommodations for 600 guests, cottages, a casino, a saltwater bath, and the first 18-hole golf course in Florida. However, during the fourth expansion of The Breakers on June 9, 1903, fire broke out in the casino kitchen, which became visible as far away as Fort Pierce and Miami . Efforts by the East Coast and West Palm Beach fire departments proved futile, with

2850-444: The 1895–96 winter season, business tycoon Henry Flagler opened the first Breakers resort, then the only oceanfront lodging south of Daytona Beach , to accommodate additional tourists due to the popularity of his Royal Poinciana Hotel . Known as the Palm Beach Inn upon its original opening, it was renamed The Breakers in 1901 after guests requested rooms "over by the breakers ". While the Royal Poinciana Hotel permanently closed in

2945-450: The 1901 expansion also saw the construction of the hotel's own electrical power plant. These expansions lengthened the hotel's corridors to more than 3 mi (4.8 km), requiring bellhops to deliver messages from guests to the front desk or vice versa via bicycle , as telephones were still a rare luxury. In total, the Royal Poinciana Hotel stretched along Lake Worth for a distance of 1,800 ft (550 m), reportedly making it both

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3040-462: The 1903 fire, Flagler announced his intentions to rebuild the hotel. This new structure was a four-story, wood frame, Colonial-style building containing 425 rooms and suites. The Breakers re-opened on February 1, 1904. Rooms started at $ 4 per night, including three meals a day (in 2018, rooms started at $ 1,050 per night). Beriah Wilkins , an editor for The Washington Post , and Mary Caroline Blair , Duchess of Sutherland , became among

3135-616: The 1930s due to the Great Depression , The Breakers became a primary resort in Palm Beach, hosting many famous guests throughout the years. The current structure is the third incarnation of the hotel, having opened in December ;1926 following two earlier structures on the same site that burned down in 1903 and 1925. Since 1973, The Breakers has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Today,

3230-550: The Dade County State Bank, the area's first bank, located near the Lake Worth Lagoon and just south of the modern-day Royal Poinciana Way . Flagler used this bank to monetarily compensate the workforce constructing the Royal Poinciana Hotel. Additionally, Flagler initially leased the entirety of the Cocoanut Grove House as a means of providing residential quarters for the construction workers. However,

3325-612: The NRHP designation, workers demolished all cottages on the north side of the hotel to clear space for the Two Breakers Row condominiums in 1984. However, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach chair Earl E. T. Smith prevented demolition of the Seagull Cottage, with the organization spending more than $ 500,000 to relocate the cottage to near the Royal Poinciana Chapel and render restoration work prior to re-opening it to

3420-429: The NRHP designation, workers demolished all cottages on the north side of the hotel to clear space for the Two Breakers Row condominiums in 1984. However, Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach chair Earl E. T. Smith prevented demolition of the Seagull Cottage, with the organization spending more than $ 500,000 to relocate the cottage to near the Royal Poinciana Chapel and render restoration work prior to re-opening it to

3515-482: The Palm Beach Inn opened on January 16, 1896, a New-York Tribune advertisement in December 1895 indicates that the hotel opened before then. Regardless, the Palm Beach Inn reached full occupancy for most of its first season. Unlike the Royal Poinciana Hotel, which sat along the Lake Worth Lagoon , the Palm Beach Inn was an oceanfront hotel, the first of its kind south of Daytona Beach . This led to

3610-753: The Rosa May Apartments. On March 22, four days after the fire, Florida East Coast Hotel vice president H. E. Bemis announced the company's intentions of rebuilding The Breakers, with plans to abandon the wooden construction for fireproof concrete . The architectural firm hired by the Flagler heirs, Schultze and Weaver , modeled the 550-room replacement building after the Villa Medici in Rome , Italy. The firm worked with New York-based Turner Construction Company , hired on December 4, and

3705-517: The Rosa May Apartments. On March 22, four days after the fire, Florida East Coast Hotel vice president H. E. Bemis announced the company's intentions of rebuilding The Breakers, with plans to abandon the wooden construction for fireproof concrete . The architectural firm hired by the Flagler heirs, Schultze and Weaver , modeled the 550-room replacement building after the Villa Medici in Rome , Italy. The firm worked with New York-based Turner Construction Company , hired on December 4, and

3800-633: The Royal Poinciana Hotel declined. The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane made landfall in Palm Beach in September of that year, substantially damaging the Royal Poinciana Hotel. Plaster littered more than 1,400 rooms and water soaked the hotel's interior. Among the worst impacted sections of the hotel was the north wing, which shifted off its foundation. Additionally, vegetation in the Coconut Grove, tea garden, and Australian pine-lined walkway leading to The Breakers suffered extensive losses. However,

3895-402: The Royal Poinciana Hotel's golf course, Royal Poinciana Chapel, and tea house received only minor damage. Despite Palm Beach mayor Barclay Harding Warburton I 's proclamation in late September that the hurricane would not affect the winter season, Florida East Coast Hotel Company vice-president H. E. Bemis announced on October 12 that the Royal Poinciana Hotel would not be able to open during

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3990-499: The Royal Poinciana Hotel, necessitating its partial closure for repairs. Despite fully re-opening in January ;1930, the hotel was no longer prosperous due to the Great Depression and closed again in 1934, with demolition occurring in the following year. The six-story, Georgian-style hotel was built as a winter retreat for the elite by Henry Flagler , an oil , real estate , and railroad tycoon . Prior to his arrival in

4085-475: The Royal Poinciana Hotel, the aforementioned lodgings were not "as grand and magnificent as their larger counterparts built by Flagler", according to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Further, the construction of Flagler's FEC to West Palm Beach in the 1890s no longer necessitated traveling to the Lake Worth Lagoon area via boat. Flagler also arrived in the area after having already acquired

4180-518: The Royal Poinciana Hotel, which sat along the Lake Worth Lagoon , the Palm Beach Inn was an oceanfront hotel, the first of its kind south of Daytona Beach . This led to the construction of a 1,000 foot (300 m)-pier at the hotel and the opening of the original Port of Palm Beach, which allowed guests to travel to Havana , Nassau , and Key West via steamboat. The Palm Beach Inn underwent an expansion in 1901, at which time Flagler renamed it The Breakers due to guests requesting rooms "over by

4275-479: The USA & Florida Forbes Travel Guide: The Breakers Palm Beach, Four-Stars & The Spa at The Breakers, Five-Stars In June 2024, Americas Great Resorts added the hotel to its Top Picks as a landmark property. The Breakers (hotel) The Breakers Palm Beach is a historic, Renaissance Revival style luxury hotel with 534 rooms. It is located at 1 South County Road in Palm Beach, Florida . During

4370-653: The [Royal] Poinciana [Hotel] will be regretted by thousands who dislike to see the old landmark go, but it will remain a monument in memory, inseparably linked with Florida's growth. The St. Petersburg Independent on the demolition of the hotel Upon completion in February ;1894, the Royal Poinciana Hotel became the fourth known hotel in the Lake Worth Lagoon region, preceded by Elisha Newton "Cap" Dimick's Cocoanut Grove House in 1880, Harlan P. Dye's Hotel Lake Worth in 1888, and Allen Heyser's Oak Lawn House in 1888. Although these lodgings occasionally attracted

4465-646: The addition of the new Breakers West Golf Club along Okeechobee Boulevard and State Road 7 , approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of the hotel. The Flagler System sold some of the land to the Mayacoo Lakes Country Club Inc. in 1972. Around the mid-1980s, homes began being constructed within the Breakers West Golf Club. A 2008 profile of the Breakers West Golf Club in The Palm Beach Post indicated

4560-415: The addition of the new Breakers West Golf Club along Okeechobee Boulevard and State Road 7 , approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of the hotel. The Flagler System sold some of the land to the Mayacoo Lakes Country Club Inc. in 1972. Around the mid-1980s, homes began being constructed within the Breakers West Golf Club. A 2008 profile of the Breakers West Golf Club in The Palm Beach Post indicated

4655-506: The area. Next, Flagler announced his intentions to extend the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) to the area, build a hotel on the eastern side of Lake Worth, and develop a commercial and residential community on the other shore, which became West Palm Beach . He then hired the firm McGuire and McDonald to construct the Royal Poinciana Hotel, while it is believed that the latter (Joseph McDonald of St. Augustine) designed

4750-472: The ballroom into a recreation hall, the Coconut Grove room into a dental clinic, the south loggia into an officers' lounge, and the mezzanine section into operating rooms, while also creating a maternity ward, where more than a dozen babies were born. At its peak, the Ream General Hospital included 400 staffers and approximately 750 patients, many of whom suffered injuries during

4845-399: The ballroom into a recreation hall, the Coconut Grove room into a dental clinic, the south loggia into an officers' lounge, and the mezzanine section into operating rooms, while also creating a maternity ward, where more than a dozen babies were born. At its peak, the Ream General Hospital included 400 staffers and approximately 750 patients, many of whom suffered injuries during

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4940-573: The building. Ground was broken on May 1, 1893. According to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, the construction of the Royal Poinciana Hotel required approximately 1,000 workers and "1,400 kegs of nails, 360,000 shingles, 500,000 bricks, 500,000 feet [150,000 meters] of lumber, 2,400 gallons [9,085 litres] of paint, 4,000 barrels of lime, 1,200 windows, and 1,800 doors, among other materials". Also on that day, Elisha Newton "Cap" Dimick , Uriah D. Hendrickson, and Edmund M. and John H. Brelsford founded

5035-416: The building. The hotel remained opened throughout the entire year for the first time in 1971, averaging approximately 50 guests per day that summer. The Breakers Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places NRHP in 1973. The 105-acre (42 ha) listed area included 15 contributing buildings – the hotel and its 14 cottages – and one other contributing object. Despite

5130-416: The building. The hotel remained opened throughout the entire year for the first time in 1971, averaging approximately 50 guests per day that summer. The Breakers Hotel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places NRHP in 1973. The 105-acre (42 ha) listed area included 15 contributing buildings – the hotel and its 14 cottages – and one other contributing object. Despite

5225-464: The construction of a 1,000 foot (300 m)-pier at the hotel and the opening of the original Port of Palm Beach, which allowed guests to travel to Havana , Nassau , and Key West via steamboat. The Palm Beach Inn underwent an expansion in 1901, at which time Flagler renamed it The Breakers due to guests requesting rooms "over by the breakers ". By the early 1900s, the hotel property also included accommodations for 600 guests, cottages,

5320-452: The early 1890s, Palm Beach was a desolate barrier island on Florida 's Atlantic coast. After staying at the home of Frederick and Marsena Nelson Robert near the Lake Worth Lagoon , Flagler described the area as a "veritable paradise" and envisioned a resort hotel for elite and wealthy guests. He soon purchased land on both shores of Lake Worth, triggering a small boom, which increased land prices by up to 60% and attracted more businesses to

5415-572: The entrance of the hotel, shattered many windows, and uprooted several cocoanut palm trees. The New York Times noted that by 1904, 10 years after the Royal Poinciana Hotel opened, Palm Beach was a popular tourist destination for parties, golf , tennis , boating , bathing , and fishing . The Royal Poinciana Hotel hosted a celebration for the establishment of Palm Beach County in 1909, alongside Independence Day festivities, which drew hundreds of people from Fort Pierce to Miami and included two amateur baseball games, musical performances by

5510-494: The existence of 548 homes spread across "670 acres [270 ha] with tall pines and old Florida vegetation.", along with two golf courses and country clubs. During the same announcement in April 1969, Flagler System also stated their plans to add 174 rooms to the hotel and create The Breakers Beach Club on the former site of the casino, which closed in 1968. In 1970, The Breakers added an air conditioning system throughout

5605-442: The existence of 548 homes spread across "670 acres [270 ha] with tall pines and old Florida vegetation.", along with two golf courses and country clubs. During the same announcement in April 1969, Flagler System also stated their plans to add 174 rooms to the hotel and create The Breakers Beach Club on the former site of the casino, which closed in 1968. In 1970, The Breakers added an air conditioning system throughout

5700-494: The fire, many guests from the destroyed lodgings sought refuge at nearby residences and hotels, with more than 300 people arriving at the Royal Poinciana Hotel. Four days after the fire, a Flagler System conference held at the Royal Poinciana Hotel led to a decision among officers and trustees to rebuild The Breakers. After The Breakers reopened in December 1926, tourists began to consider Victorian hotels as relics, instead preferring new luxuries. Consequently, attendance at

5795-471: The first auction for these lots on February 8, 1894, prior to its opening for business. Residents of this newly platted area, named West Palm Beach, voted to become a municipality on November 5 of that year. Palm Beach also developed into a community in its own right and was later incorporated on April 17, 1911, following rumors that West Palm Beach intended to annex it. A pre-1923 Sanborn map superimposed over Google Maps imagery indicates that

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5890-480: The first guests to register at the hotel. Other notable guests arriving in subsequent years included Andrew Carnegie , William Thomas Grant , William Randolph Hearst , J. P. Morgan , J. C. Penney , and members of the Astor , Rockefeller , and Vanderbilt families. Seagull Cottage, the oldest home in Palm Beach, was moved to the north side of The Breakers in 1913 and became one of the hotel's cottages. In January of

5985-399: The flames burn buildings in Palm Beach. Although the fire departments of Fort Lauderdale , Fort Pierce , Lake Worth , Miami , Palm Beach , and West Palm Beach arrived at the scene, efforts to save The Breakers from burning down failed again. As with the 1903 fire, flames spread well beyond the hotel. Four cottages at The Breakers burned down. Additionally, embers blowing across

6080-399: The flames burn buildings in Palm Beach. Although the fire departments of Fort Lauderdale , Fort Pierce , Lake Worth , Miami , Palm Beach , and West Palm Beach arrived at the scene, efforts to save The Breakers from burning down failed again. As with the 1903 fire, flames spread well beyond the hotel. Four cottages at The Breakers burned down. Additionally, embers blowing across

6175-476: The following day that "more than 1,000 guests and servants were rendered homeless." People staying at the hotel tossed their expensive possessions out the window, but most of these items were stolen or lost. The attempts at looting resulted in the deployment of militiamen and the arrests of 25 people. In turn, some newspapers reported that Palm Beach declared martial law , which police chief Joseph Borman denied. Approximately 10,000 spectators watched

6270-476: The following day that "more than 1,000 guests and servants were rendered homeless." People staying at the hotel tossed their expensive possessions out the window, but most of these items were stolen or lost. The attempts at looting resulted in the deployment of militiamen and the arrests of 25 people. In turn, some newspapers reported that Palm Beach declared martial law , which police chief Joseph Borman denied. Approximately 10,000 spectators watched

6365-545: The former site of the Royal Poinciana Hotel is now occupied by the eastbound side of Royal Poinciana Way, Royal Poinciana Plaza, the Palm Beach Tower condominiums, The Breakers golf course, The Breakers human resources building, and Cocoanut Row. Additionally, the greenhouse later became known as the Slat House, stands at 50 Cocoanut Row and is the only remaining part of the Royal Poinciana Hotel. While not part of

6460-594: The grand hotel which had helped establish Palm Beach. In the winter of 1915–1916, the Royal Poinciana Hotel hired the services of C.I. Taylor and many members of his Indianapolis ABCs pre-Negro league baseball team to take on another pre-Negro league baseball team hosted by the Breakers. The games hosted Negro league baseball stars of the day, including Ben Taylor , C.I. Taylor , Candy Jim Taylor , John Donaldson , Ashby Dunbar , Jim Jeffries , Jimmie Lyons , and Spot Poles . The soon-to-be-accomplished passing of

6555-532: The grand opening saw the arrival of only 17 guests, the FEC began serving West Palm Beach on April 2 of that year. Also during its first year, the houseboat St. Augustine served as a ferry which transported guests from a wharf in West Palm Beach to Palm Beach, as no bridge existed across Lake Worth. However, by 1895, Flagler constructed a 1,200 ft (370 m) railroad bridge, just south of where he later built Whitehall , allowing guests to arrive directly at

6650-637: The hotel and grounds occupy 140 acres (57 ha) and employ over 2,300 people. The Breakers has also received high acclaim from organizations and media agencies such as the American Automobile Association , American Institute of Architects , Forbes Travel Guide , and the U.S. News & World Report . After experiencing success in the first few years of operation of the nearby Royal Poinciana Hotel , business tycoon Henry Flagler sought to accommodate more travelers on his Florida East Coast Railway and began construction on

6745-548: The hotel's entrance. During the second season – defined in early years as January through April and later as mid-December to late February (after Flagler's annual George Washington Ball held at Whitehall, his 1902 mansion) – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in March ;1895 that the Royal Poinciana Hotel records logged between 900 and 1,000 guests, which contributed to Flagler's decision to open another hotel nearby in 1896. This oceanfront hotel

6840-432: The hotel, a cottage, the casino, and several nearby stores burning down. Dynamite used on the verandas on the northside of the hotel prevented the fire from spreading much farther, while the Gretna Breeze noted that the Royal Poinciana Hotel "caught [fire] in half a dozen places, but superhuman efforts prevented its destruction." Losses from the fire totaled approximately $ 730,000 (1903  USD ). Within two weeks of

6935-429: The hotel. Other notable guests arriving in subsequent years included Andrew Carnegie , William Thomas Grant , William Randolph Hearst , J. P. Morgan , J. C. Penney , and members of the Astor , Rockefeller , and Vanderbilt families. Seagull Cottage, the oldest home in Palm Beach, was moved to the north side of The Breakers in 1913 and became one of the hotel's cottages. In January of the same year, Flagler suffered

7030-430: The hotel. This new structure was a four-story, wood frame, Colonial-style building containing 425 rooms and suites. The Breakers re-opened on February 1, 1904. Rooms started at $ 4 per night, including three meals a day (in 2018, rooms started at $ 1,050 per night). Beriah Wilkins , an editor for The Washington Post , and Mary Caroline Blair , Duchess of Sutherland , became among the first guests to register at

7125-510: The island ignited fires at many other buildings, destroying Edward R. Bradley 's beach club, the original Palm Beach Hotel , and 11 shops near that hotel, and threatening several other structures near Main Street . The Royal Poinciana Hotel also appeared to be in danger, but a wind shift spared the building. Damage totals from the fire ranged from $ 2.5 million to as much as $ 7 million. Some newspapers reported multiple deaths as

7220-457: The island ignited fires at many other buildings, destroying Edward R. Bradley 's beach club, the original Palm Beach Hotel , and 11 shops near that hotel, and threatening several other structures near Main Street . The Royal Poinciana Hotel also appeared to be in danger, but a wind shift spared the building. Damage totals from the fire ranged from $ 2.5 million to as much as $ 7 million. Some newspapers reported multiple deaths as

7315-541: The largest hotel and largest wooden structure in the world at the time. Whitehall was completed in 1902, a gift from Flagler to Mary Lily Kenan , his third wife. However, her disapproval of the noise and smell produced by the trains, which then ran next to the house, led to the relocation of the railroad bridge and tracks to the north side of the Royal Poinciana Hotel by 1903, near where the Flagler Memorial Bridge stands today. On June 9 of that year,

7410-902: The main building, the Royal Poinciana Chapel and Seagull Cottage (which pre-dates the Royal Poinciana Hotel), both located on the hotel grounds, remain standing. The Royal Poinciana Hotel tea house is also still intact, although the building has been moved several times and is currently located in Lantana at the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels, where it is now known as the "Chapel of the Holy Spirit". 26°42′56.5″N 80°02′29.6″W  /  26.715694°N 80.041556°W  / 26.715694; -80.041556 The Breakers (hotel) The Breakers Palm Beach

7505-552: The most breathtaking room at The Breakers". In September 1928, the Okeechobee hurricane ravaged the Australian pine walkway linking The Breakers and the Royal Poinciana Hotel. The former lost most of its roof, windows, and the pier, while the north and south wings suffered water damage. Additionally, The Miami News reported 4 feet (1.2 m) of standing water inside the building and sand being deposited as high as

7600-435: The most breathtaking room at The Breakers". In September 1928, the Okeechobee hurricane ravaged the Australian pine walkway linking The Breakers and the Royal Poinciana Hotel. The former lost most of its roof, windows, and the pier, while the north and south wings suffered water damage. Additionally, The Miami News reported 4 feet (1.2 m) of standing water inside the building and sand being deposited as high as

7695-517: The public in late 1985. On April 18, 2012, the AIA 's Florida Chapter ranked the hotel seventh on its list of "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places". Today, the hotel and grounds occupy 140 acres (57 hectares) beside the Atlantic Ocean . The Breakers is currently a AAA five diamond rated resort and has maintained this rating since 1996. U.S. News & World Report : Best Hotels in

7790-406: The public in late 1985. On April 18, 2012, the AIA 's Florida Chapter ranked the hotel seventh on its list of "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places". Today, the hotel and grounds occupy 140 acres (57 hectares) beside the Atlantic Ocean . The Breakers is currently a AAA five diamond rated resort and has maintained this rating since 1996. U.S. News & World Report : Best Hotels in

7885-442: The region that eventually became Palm Beach County. During the construction of the hotel, Flagler envisioned a town on the west shore of Lake Worth as a commercial and residential community to support his projects in Palm Beach. After paying O.S. Porter and Louis Hillhouse $ 45,000 for their properties, Flagler instructed county surveyor George Potter to plat 48 blocks on the west shore of Lake Worth. The Royal Poinciana Hotel hosted

7980-424: The same site that burned down in 1903 and 1925. Since 1973, The Breakers has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Today, the hotel and grounds occupy 140 acres (57 ha) and employ over 2,300 people. The Breakers has also received high acclaim from organizations and media agencies such as the American Automobile Association , American Institute of Architects , Forbes Travel Guide , and

8075-466: The same year, Flagler suffered a serious fall at his residence, Whitehall . He spent the next few months at The Breakers' Nautilus Cottage, but succumbed to his injuries there on May 20. Since Flagler forbade motorized vehicles on the property, patrons were delivered between the two hotels in wheeled chairs powered by employees. In the winter of 1915–1916, the Breakers Hotel hired the services of Cyclone Joe Williams and many fellow team members of

8170-525: The storm. However, business at the hotel struggled in the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression . After the end of the Royal Poinciana Hotel's season in March 1930, its closure appeared to bear little relevance to activity at other businesses and resorts in Palm Beach, a stark contrast to previous years. In January 1932, the Royal Poinciana Hotel opened for what would be its final season. Following

8265-469: The structure itself, attracting approximately 4,000 buyers. Lumber scavenged from the hotel built at least 40 homes and parts of hundreds of others. The initially planned demolition work was completed by November 1935, although the Scott and Whittaker firm, under contract from the Florida East Coast Hotel Company, demolished the north wing in 1937. In 1960, a marker was placed at the former site of

8360-528: The third floor. However, The Breakers opened for business on December 10, earlier than the previous winter season by several days. During the summer of 1942, Florida East Coast Hotel company officials considered keeping The Breakers closed for the upcoming season due to blackout orders in response to World War II , before announcing that the hotel would open on December 24. However, on December 11, United States District Judge John W. Holland issued an order granting possession of The Breakers to

8455-528: The third floor. However, The Breakers opened for business on December 10, earlier than the previous winter season by several days. During the summer of 1942, Florida East Coast Hotel company officials considered keeping The Breakers closed for the upcoming season due to blackout orders in response to World War II , before announcing that the hotel would open on December 24. However, on December 11, United States District Judge John W. Holland issued an order granting possession of The Breakers to

8550-458: The upcoming winter season, citing immense impacts to the building due to the storm. Although set to remain closed during the 1928-29 tourism season, repair work allowed the Royal Poinciana Hotel partially re-open on January 12, 1929, with 600 rooms usable. The building underwent additional repairs and modifications during the off-season, including the razing of much of the north wing and replacing part of that section with two pergolas and

8645-405: The verandas on the northside of the hotel prevented the fire from spreading much farther, while the Gretna Breeze noted that the Royal Poinciana Hotel "caught [fire] in half a dozen places, but superhuman efforts prevented its destruction." Losses from the fire totaled approximately $ 730,000 (1903  USD ). Within two weeks of the 1903 fire, Flagler announced his intentions to rebuild

8740-450: Was originally called The Palm Beach Inn and later renamed The Breakers in 1901 because guests often requested rooms "over by the breakers ." Further, the Royal Poinciana Hotel underwent significant expansions in 1899 and 1901, which increased the number of rooms to 1,081, allowing accommodations for nearly 2,000 guests. The expansion in 1899 also added a two-story veranda, dining room, saltwater pool, golf course, and shooting range;

8835-648: Was painted by 72 artisans, including Alexander Bonanno, a classically trained New York City artist who taught at Cooper Union . The Breakers reopened on December 29, 1926, to considerable acclaim. This hotel influenced the Hotel Nacional in Havana , Cuba . In addition to the Florentine dining room, a new feature of the 1926 hotel, a second dining room opened two years later, known as The Circle, which The Palm Beach Post described in 1996 as "Perhaps

8930-474: Was painted by 72 artisans, including Alexander Bonanno, a classically trained New York City artist who taught at Cooper Union . The Breakers reopened on December 29, 1926, to considerable acclaim. This hotel influenced the Hotel Nacional in Havana , Cuba . In addition to the Florentine dining room, a new feature of the 1926 hotel, a second dining room opened two years later, known as The Circle, which The Palm Beach Post described in 1996 as "Perhaps

9025-418: Was renamed The Breakers in 1901 after guests requested rooms "over by the breakers ". While the Royal Poinciana Hotel permanently closed in the 1930s due to the Great Depression , The Breakers became a primary resort in Palm Beach, hosting many famous guests throughout the years. The current structure is the third incarnation of the hotel, having opened in December 1926 following two earlier structures on

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