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Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce 

Known worldwide as a first-class resort town, Delray Beach is located in southern Palm Beach County, directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Delray Beach offers the visitor a full range of amenities and, of course, the incomparable beauty of nearly two miles of well-groomed, easily accessible beach. 

Delray Beach was named an All-America City by the National Civic League in 1993 and again in 2001, the only city in Florida to receive this prestigious award twice!  

History, Culture and Attractions  

For more than 100 years, Delray Beach has grown and prospered. A small group of Michigan settlers, led by William Linton and David Swinton began settling in the area in 1894. Inspired by the natural riches of the area, they tilled the land and grew crops year round. The environment also provided them with plenty of fresh fish, crab and lobster from the ocean.  

Delray's early history was dominated by agriculture. By the turn of the century, a number of Japanese farmers came to the area to grow pineapples. They formed the Yamato Colony and farmed on land now occupied by the Boca Raton Airport and FAU. You can learn more of the Yamato Colony at the 200-acre Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a scenic park that draws more than 150,000 visitors a year.  

In 1901 the area was named Delray, a Spanish derivative meaning "of the king". When the railroad system built by Henry Flagler expanded from West Palm Beach to Miami, farmers began exporting their harvest of pineapples, tomatoes, peppers, beans and other fruits and vegetables. The Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1925 and the town was booming with tourist trade and a healthy, self-supporting economy. The same is true today. The very reasons people came to our town in 1894 are the same reasons Delray Beach is such a nice place to live and grow today.  

As the 20th century progressed Delray Beach grew from a farming community into a bustling city known for its unique architecture and thriving downtown. Delray Beach became a winter resort where artists, writers and cartoonists came to escape the brutal winters and hone their crafts. Nationally known cartoonists Fontaine Fox and W.E. Pat Enright were among the luminaries who called Delray home.  

Today, history plays a big role in the city's identity and future direction. Delray Beach is considered a leading figure in the state's growing historic preservation movement. The city has designated several neighborhoods as historic districts; places where residents are encouraged to preserve old homes as a living link to Delray's illustrious past.  

The center of culture in Delray Beach is Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. Once the Delray Beach High School, its grand buildings have been transformed in to the multi-million dollar centerpiece of the historic downtown shopping district.

In the heart of downtown Delray Beach is Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, 51 N. Swinton Ave., which houses a museum and theatre (in the former Delray Elementary and High School buildings) as well as an outdoor entertainment pavilion. A multi-million dollar historic preservation project, the center is on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a gathering place for the community. It is the centerpiece of the historic downtown shopping district. 

Adjacent to Old School Square is an emerging "artists colony" dubbed Pineapple Grove. The area includes sculpture designed by local artists. The downtown is chock full of art galleries and artists studios.  

Attractions 

The Cornell Museum - Cornell Museum of Art & History at Old School Square.
Dedicated in 1990, the Cornell Museum is housed in the restored 1913 Delray Elementary building and named in honor of Delray Beach residents Harriet W. and George D. Cornell. The museum includes four galleries, a beautiful two-story atrium, which is also used as exhibit space, a tea room and a gift shop. It presents rotating regional, national and international exhibits as well asartist showcases, lectures and demonstrations. Delray Beach's historical archives are located in the Cornell Archives Room on the second floor. The archives room is managed by the Delray Beach Historical Society, which also presents special exhibits. 

Crest Theatre - Crest Theatre at Old School Square
Dedicated in 1993, the Crest Theatre is housed in the restored 1925 Delray High School building, which also houses six restored classrooms, two art studios, a large reception room and Old School Square's administrative offices. Attached is a 1926 Gymnasium, used primarily as a rental facility. Formerly the high school auditorium, the Crest was restored and re-designed
as a 323-seat, state-of-the-art performing arts theatre. It presents a variety of professional theatre, music, dance and national tours as well as Broadway Cabaret and serves as an important venue for community performances, presentations and town meetings. 

Old School Square Entertainment Pavilion Completed in early 2002, the pavilion is a state-of-the-art performance facility with concession building and covered loggias surrounding an open, grassy area. It hosts a variety of community festivals and events, year-round, as well as concerts.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens - The Morikami Museum
and Japanese Gardens is one of Palm Beach County's top attractions. The museum is named after George Morikami, a pineapple farmer who donated his land for use as a park after his death. The 200 acre Morikami park has become one of Palm Beach County's top tourist destinations attracting visitors from throughout the United States and abroad. It is the only museum of Japanese culture in the United States.  

Recently the museum expanded into a $4.5 million 32,000 square foot facility designed to meet the Morikami's growing popularity. The new museum features a library, classrooms, 230-seat auditorium and computer technology that allows visitors to "interact" with exhibits. The museum is surrounded by luscious gardens, a waterfall and a forest of pine trees that make the Morikami a popular escape for thousands of visitors. The Museum hosts regular special events that showcase Japanese culture. Four major festivals draw multitudes to the Morikami throughout the year. For a complete schedule of what the Morikami has to offer call 495-0233. Click on the Wisdom Ring for information on our Sister City Miyazu, Japan. 

Right next to the Morikami is the new international headquarters of the American Orchid Society (AOS), the largest special-interest horticultural organization in the world. A "must visit" - the airy central lobby, naturally lit by an open cupola, will bring you to most attractive assemblage of orchid books and other orchid-related items ever assembled, attractively displayed in the spacious AOS Gift Shop. Also on the grounds is the rapidly evolving Gardens - themed Orchids in the South Florida Garden as dedicated staff and volunteers who made the landscape glow with an enormous display of specimen-size Phaius, as well as an impressive collection of palms, cycads and other exotic plantings, including a nearly mature specimen of the rare African Baobab tree.  

Palm Beach Photographic Centre... is an innovative learning facility where photography, and digital imaging meet. Headquartered in Delray Beach this is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education, preservation and promotion of photography and digital imaging. Each year Palm Beach Photographic presents over 200 workshops attended by photographers, graphic designers, photojournalists, filmmakers, desktop publishers, architects, and advertising professionals. Students study under the most accomplished professionals from around the country. The Program is divided into four series of workshops: Digital Imaging, Photography, FotoCamp and FotoFusion. For more information call (561) 276-9797 

Cason Cottage Museum - Located just north of Old School Square, the Cason Cottage is a completely restored "Old Florida" home devoted to the history of Delray Beach. Frequent exhibits focus on local history and Delray's growth through the decades. Private tours are available.  

The Delray Beach Playhouse - For 47 years the 238-seat Delray Beach Playhouse 950 NW Ninth St; has offered local audiences outstanding theater. Located on scenic Lake Ida, the playhouse is one the nation's oldest and most successful community theaters. Call 272-1281 for information.  

Delray Beach is also a quick drive away from dozens of other theatres, museums and art galleries. Within a 30-minute drive, Delray residents can visit the Caldwell Theatre Company in Boca Raton, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, the Lois Pope Theatre, Plaza Del Mar in Manalapan, and the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra at Florida Atlantic University. Downtown Delray Beach also offers top-notch art galleries, antiqueing, and live music. The Delray Art League offers sidewalk art shows throughout the winter season at area shopping centers. 

BEACH - WATER SPORTS & ACTIVITIES 

With over two miles of sandy coastline, the beach is a favorite for those seeking relaxation, a beautiful sunrise, or a vigorous game of beach volleyball.
Aside from its pristine beauty, the beach is among the most accessible on the east coast. Because of the tropical locale, surf temperatures are almost always balmy. Delray's municipal beach was rated by Travel Holiday Magazine as the Best Swimming Beach in the Southeast and by S. Florida Parenting Magazine as The #1 Beach in Palm Beach County. The area also supports an active surfing and sailing scene.
Delray Beach is also home to one of the area's premier diving spots, a state historical site best know as the Delray Wreck. Located a few hundred yards offshore, divers can explore the wreck of the SS Inchulva which sank in a storm off the coast of Delray in 1903.
The south end of the beach is known as Atlantic Dunes Park. Atlantic Dunes is meticulously maintained and features a boardwalk and nature trail. After a day in the sun, beach goers often find themselves strolling the promenade, a paved walkway that parallels the beautiful State Road A1A. Sunrises and sunsets can be viewed at the beach pavilion, a wooden structure overlooking the ocean.
Properly attired beach-goers (no topless or nudity) are always welcome, however, dogs or automobiles are not permitted on the beach. Special chairs called surf chairs are available to assist the physically challenged to travel across the sandy beach. There is also a handicap ramp south of Atlantic Avenue.
The beach pavilion at Atlantic & A1A 

BEACH SMARTS 

Beach-goers are cautioned to respect and avoid the Portuguese man-o-war, a type of jellyfish that pester the beaches of South Florida periodically. They can produce a painful sting, and sometimes allergic reactions. At times beach-goers encounter tar or oil on the beach resulting from offshore spills or boat leaks. This can easily be removed with baby oil or sun tan oil. You may have heard of "Sea Lice" (the larvae stage of the Linuke Jelly Fish). Sea Lice visit sporadically between mid-April and mid-July and swimmers should check the beach conditions each day. Sea Lice may cause some discomfort and swimmers should shower after swimming especially if they are susceptible to allergies.
While picnics are welcomed on the beach, no glass containers or alcoholic beverages are permitted and municipal code prohibits the use of barbecue grills.
For the convenience and comfort of beach-goers, cabanas or beach umbrellas can be rented by just sitting in a vacant chair and waiting for a cabana person to approach with rental information.  

Besides its terrific beachfront, Delray has a number of other ways to have fun in and around the water:
The Intracoastal Waterway - The beautiful Intracoastal Waterway is a boater's delight, calm waters, scenic homes, incredible vistas and all easily accessible from Delray Beach's Knowles Park boat launch area. 

Lake Ida Park - Nestled in Delray Beach is the huge Lake Ida Park which features some of the best fresh water fishing in Palm Beach County. Stocked with bass and other fish, anglers say nothing beats the lush waters of Lake Ida. The park also offers waterskiing, jet skiing, barbecue facilities, and sailing.  

Delray Marina - The city's marina offers a quiet respite. The 25-slip marina is considered one of the top municipal marinas in South Florida. Call 243-7252 for information.  

Everglades - West of town adventurers will enjoy the wonders of Florida's Everglades. Enjoy air boat rides, alligator sightings, and the sights and sounds of nature with a day at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.  

Saltwater Fishing - An abundance of gamefish swim in the waters off Delray Beach, thanks to the proximity of the warm Gulf Stream and the many offshore reefs. Sailfish, Marlin, kingfish, mackerel, dolphin, grouper, red snapper, wahoo and bonita are among the fish caught most often. 

Downtown Delray Beach is the heart of the city. The fully restored downtown offers visitors a rare glimpse of a true main street. With its paver brick sidewalks, scenic vistas, decorative lighting and miles of shops, Delray Beach's downtown is a great source of community pride.  

Atlantic Avenue is made for walking, browsing and soaking up the ambiance of a street that has become a model within Palm Beach County. The downtown offers a mix of restaurants, antique shops, gift shops, galleries and clothiers, as well as an array of personal and professional services. Indeed, state historic preservation officials often point to Delray as a beacon of what committed citizenry and government can do when there is a strong desire to preserve a city's past.  

Art and Jazz on the Avenue draws thousands to the shopping district. Art and Jazz nights feature live music, food, and fun. The downtown's warm and hospitable atmosphere belongs uniquely to Delray.  

Marketing efforts by the Chamber of Commerce, Community Redevelopment Agency, Downtown Development Authority, merchants groups and the Delray Beach Joint Venture have brought a great deal of attention to the downtown district. The future looks bright as city officials strive mightily to bring more businesses and special events downtown. 

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