The barrier island now known as Singer Island was once inhabited by Calusa and Tequesta fishing tribes of Native Americans. Unlike the northern areas of Florida, which were often ransacked and pillaged by invading Europeans; natives captured and sold as slaves, the southern areas managed to flourish. Evading Spanish forces for decades, the area finally succumbed to the growing political firestorm between the English and Spanish invaders in the 18th century. After years of war and decimation, all land east of the Mississippi was eventually ceded to the US in 1819, including Florida. 

Yet, Florida continued to be a wild and unknown land, who many believed unworthy of settlement. The first Americans of the United States to spend any time in the area were soldiers who were tasked with rounding up the locals during the "Indian Removal Act", thus forced their migration to what is now known as Oklahoma. The soldiers loathed it: 

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It wasn't until a brilliant American industrialist, Henry Flagler, who had travelled to Jacksonville on doctors orders with his gravely ill wife in 1879, that the first seeds of the future of Florida was planted. Seeing that the area lacked proper transportation and lodging, Flagler began work on what would become the development of Florida as we now know it today. He built the Florida East Coast Railway, which eventually led all the way to Key West, but not before he settled Palm Beach and made it a vacation mecca for the rich and famous. 

Singer Island, located a stones throw from the north end Palm Beach wasn't so lucky. In the 1920's the island was still a sleepy netting sight for local Bahamian, Cuban and nearby Riviera squatters, it wasn't considered for development until Paris Eugene Singer, the son of Issac Singer (Singer Sewing Machines), and Palm Beach socialite, saw the potential of the beautiful stretch of pristine beach he often picnicked on. He collaborated with famed local architect Addison Mizner, and together they created the idea of building two hotels; a large luxurious one on the south end (now Palm Beach Shores), a more modest one to the north, and a golf course and club in-between the two. He was eager to start on the larger property, The Blue Heron, thus began construction even before the plans could be finalized. He also purchased a bond issue for the original bridge that connected the island to Riviera to the west over the Lake Worth Lagoon. Singer was hoping to finance the enormous four-million dollar price tag by selling off parcels of land in other areas of the island, however with difficulties claiming titles, the 1928 hurricane, and the stock market crash of 1929, he was forced to abandon his dream. The Florida development boom that Flagler created had come to an abrupt end.

 

The island laid fallow, with the abandoned shell of The Blue Heron on the south end, and forgotten parcels marked out to the north, until 1940, when the city of Riviera purchased 1,000 feet of beach for $40,000 and began developing it for the tourist trade. The land was incorporated into the village, which became the city of Riviera Beach. By 1941 the city of Palm Beach Shores was incorporated on the south end of the island and a building boom commenced. Singer Island was developed in earnest for the first time.

In 1947, A.O. Edwards, a railroad and hotel tycoon, bought 240 acres that extended from Palm Beach Shores to 300 feet north of Blue Heron. He was the first to develop a formal urban plan with parks, walkways and roads. In 1948 Edwards built the Inlet Court Hotel, later renamed The Colonnades, which eventually became home to the most infamous of all Singer Island residents. In 1952, Edwards was elected the first Mayor of Singer Island. After his death in 1960, the Edwards estate sold the Colonnades Hotel to John D. MacArthur. 

 

MacArthur, a self made-millionaire and insurance magnate bought hundreds of acres of northern Palm Beach County land for development including the northern end of Singer Island. His home at the Colonnade Hotel where he conducted business as well as entertained the rich and famous, was notoriously known for its boisterous, and well-attended parties. The brilliant eccentric "Scot" who sometimes entertained in the nude, was a huge marketing boon for the island, and home building along with tourism, flourished.

The population of Riviera Beach from 1950 to 1960 grew an amazing 221.2%. Most of Singer Island was divide up by the end of the 1960's with Palm Beach Isles and Yacht Harbor Manor anchoring the middle section of the island with humble homes for many snow birds escaping the harsh northern winters. MacArthur died in 1978 the second most wealthy man in the Unites States, but not before he had decided to maintain his acreage on the north end of Singer Island as a wildlife park, and upon his death bequeathed it to the state of Florida. His Foundation helps maintain the park to this day. 

 

Singer Island has seen it's share of development since the mid 20th century, and is home to multi-million dollar condos to modest single family homes, and everything in-between. Yacht Harbor Manor is no exception. After the housing bubble burst in the early 2000's and into its resurgence since, YHM now boasts a variety of new construction and mid-century homes, of all styles and sizes. From the original modern classic, to large Mediterranean estates, and Neo British West Indies custom homes nestled along the waterway, YHM has a plethora of interesting architecture to boast for the full-timer and the snowbird looking to enjoy the perfect winter months in south Florida. 

 

 

History of Singer Island-Singerisland.com

The History of Riviera Beach, Florida, rivierabch.com

A Requiem for Florida, The Paradise That Should Never Have Been-Michael Grunwald, Politico Magazine -9/8/2017

en.wikipedia.org/Indian Removal

en.wikipedia.org/henryflagler

en.wikipedia.org/johndmacarthur
 

C   2020 Michele Kenney