1916 PALM BEACH COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Palm Beach County (established in 1909) had its first County offices in an old school house in West Palm Beach. In 1913, The Palm Becah County Board of County Commissioners approved the construction of a new courthouse by Wilber Burt Talley, one of Florida’s most prominent architects. Contractor Everet P. Maule submitted the winning bid of $122,500 for the building’s construction. The courthouse was completed in 1916 and is an outstanding example of Neo-Classical architecture in Florida. The imposing four-story building is dominated by three grand columned porticos, with exterior walls of brick veneer trimmed in industrial limestone. The building was dedicated in 1917 and at the time held all County offices and had one courtroom, which was used for ten years. The County’s explosive growth during the 1920s and after World War II led to several additions to the courthouse which, by 1972 had totally enclosed the original building. After standing vacant for nearly a decade the County funded an $18.5 million restoration of the historic courthouse in 2002, which was completed in 2007. Government offices once again occupy the gracious building, as does a museum showcasing the history of Palm Beach County.