Around Boynton Beach (FL) (Postcard History) [Paperback]

Janet DeVries (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2006

Named for an early entrepreneur who arrived by boat in 1894, the tiny settlement of Boynton Beach emerged around the luxury hotel Maj. Nathan S. Boynton built on the beach. This enterprise brought carpenters, truck farmers, and railroad workers. Pineapple plantations, tomato fields, and citrus groves flourished. Shell shops, drift fishing, roadside fruit stands, and motor courts transformed the landscape. In Postcard History Series: Around Boynton Beach, author Janet DeVries uses more than 200 postcards from her own collection and others to show a carefree lifestyle long gone. Featured are picture postcards, some over 100 years old, of Boynton Beach and neighboring Briny Breezes, Ocean Ridge, Hypoluxo, and Gulf Stream.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Janet DeVries is archivist and curator of collections at the Boynton Beach City Library and a trustee for the Boynton Beach Historical Society. In 2005, DeVries coauthored Images of America: Boynton Beach with M. Randall Gill. A portion of the author's proceeds from this book will benefit the Schoolhouse Children's Museum.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (November 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738543284
• ISBN-13: 978-0738543284
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,866,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When not doing historical research or exploring spooky old houses, Janet DeVries loves being near or in the Atlantic Ocean and enjoys swimming, snorkeling, boating and other water sports.

She is author of Images of America: Sport Fishing in Palm Beach County and Vintage Postcard Series: Boynton Beach. She has co-authored Images of America: Boynton Beach (with M. Randall Gill) and Vintage Postcard Series: Delray Beach (with Dorothy W. Patterson). She has also written articles on South Florida history and Girl's Series Books for various newspapers and other publications.

A permanent resident of Palm Beach County since 1987, DeVries is historian and archivist for the Schoolhouse Children's Museum and the Boynton Beach City Library. A member of the American Association of State and Local History, the American Association of Archivists, the Society of Florida Archivists and the Gold Coast Archivists, and the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, DeVries is currently Vice-President of the Boynton Beach Historical Society.

DeVries credits her passion for research, treasure hunting, adventure and clue seeking to the fictional pop icon, Nancy Drew, whose suspenseful adventures captivated her as a youngster. Janet is a charter member of the international club of Nancy Drew Sleuths.

She is currently writing her first historical fiction novel for juveniles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a fun walk down Memory Lane!, January 14, 2007

By 

M.Goodman (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around Boynton Beach (FL) (Postcard History) (Paperback)

My family vacationed in South Florida from the 60's to the 80's and moved to Boynton Beach in 1984. This book brought back so many great memories of staying at roadside motor courts and deep sea fishing on The Two Georges. It was also great fun to learn more about this ever-changing tropical town. The postcard captions were very well written and interesting.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I felt like I was in Mayberry by the sea, April 25, 2007

By 

C. Jamison "Cindylou" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Around Boynton Beach (FL) (Postcard History) (Paperback)

Boynton Beach was such a great place to live and grow up in the 50's, 60's and 70's and Janet DeVries has captured the special feeling of the time very well with her unique depiction of history through post cards. I learned more history of my home town through her book than any other way I can imagine. It was obvious reading her captions on pictures that she had done a great deal of research and that she actually likes the place she is writing about. Her passion for Florida small town history is showing on every page. Read it, put it on your coffee table and enjoy.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PICTURE POSTCARDS, October 19, 2009

By 

F. Titcomb (Boynton Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Around Boynton Beach (FL) (Postcard History) (Paperback)

As a resident of Boynton Beach I loved seeing the city as it was before I arrived. I moved here from NYC in 1980 and even since THEN, the changes have been tremendous. Janet has captured the heart of Boynton in every photo and description. This book is a little gem and makes a wonderful gift for friends and family! It's fun to own a little piece of history and have it right on your shelf to share with others.