The Palm Coast Historical Society marks Founders’ Day on Oct. 28 at Holland Park with its 10th year anniversary celebration of the opening of the society’s museum at the park, with food trucks, community groups, music and speakers.
The celebration is scheduled between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holland Park, 18 Florida Park Drive in Palm Coast.
To better acquaint both new and long-time residents with our history the society thought it best to attract them to its location in Holland Park with a Founders’ Day reminiscent of a festival. The family-friendly atmosphere will include music by DJ Vern of Surf 97.3. Five food trucks will be on site which will hopefully encourage folks to relax, browse and linger.
Over 24 non-profit community groups, including clubs, historical societies, heritage organizations and more will be displaying their own contributions to Palm Coast history under pop-up tents in the outfield adjacent to our building. Special interest talks will be held under the pavilion across from the museum.
Elaine Studnicki, co-historian and past president of the society, will talk about Palm Coast’s stories canals. Her talk will take you back roughly 200 years prior to the arrival of ITT, the developer of the original Palm Coast, when Joseph Hernandez created a drainage system for his St. Joseph’s Plantation, which was located along what is now Florida Park Drive(and thrived on the back of slave labor). Studnicki will later fast-forward to the modern era and the system of waterways created in the 1970’s for drainage and recreation in what would become the planned community of Palm Coast.
Tim Baker, a local author and city engineer, will discuss his various works of fiction, many of them set in Flagler Beach. The characters in his novels often drive along A1A and drop by familiar locations such as The Golden Lion or Finn’s. He will share insights about what inspires his plots and how he develops his characters.
The Palm Coast Fire Department, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, has installed a temporary exhibit inside the historical museum. Retired firefighters will be available to answer questions about their experiences as emergency responders. A recently restored vintage fire truck will be brought to the site, which should appeal to both children and adults.
CELIA PUGLIESE says
Thank you Palm Coast city and historical society for organizing this event. Friends and I will attend! I love history as without it how we could understand present and future?
James says
This article prompted me to do some quick research. It was a rather amusing story, for someone from NY anyway.
It seems that Levitt, of Levitt Town fame (or infamy depending on your point of view), had indeed been involved with the early development of Palm Coast. His company had been purchased by ITT in the mid 1960’s, and under the brand of ITT-Levitt, ITT bought and began development of the swamp parcel that would become Palm Coast (or perhaps the swamp parcel was already part of Levitt’s portfolio… doesn’t matter). As described at the time, it seems to have indeed been sold as a resort/ retirement community, with an emphasis on golfing and a few other amenities.
What’s interesting is that it appears Levitt was more contractually obligated to ITT, and in short, soon parted ways with them in the mid 70s. ITT was holding the project together until 1978, when it appears that the Starrett Corporation took over some of the development… yes, THAT Starrett Corporation, for all you NY City folks out there.
And so yes Virginia, there is a small connection in that last bit regarding Trump and Palm Coast.
It’s a very small world after all isn’t it. ;-)
Just an observation.