Lake Worth History 1913-1940

When the Palm Beach Farms Company purchased the lands of Jewell from Samuel and Fannie James and the other settlers, the town of Lake Worth was on the cusp of its birth. Bryant & Greenwood, the developers hired to promote the land, were interested in selling large farm tracts west of the area and as an added inducement, they offered a free 25 foot lot in the town area. The town was platted in 1911 and 1912 as Lucerne, but the name was changed when it was discovered that another city already had that name for their post office. By 1913 there was a city springing up.

The first mayor J. W. Means was appointed in 1913. On June 14, 1913 the City Charter was approved and Lake Worth became a city. In the first municipal election in 1914 James Love was elected Mayor.

The Lake Worth Casino and Baths opened in 1922. It was a splendid building and the pool featured deep water for diving. The pool was filled with salt water at that time.