PALM BEACH

town, Palm Beach county, southeastern Florida, U.S., on a narrow barrier beach between the Atlantic Ocean (east) and Lake Worth (west). The latter, actually a lagoon (part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway), is bridged to West Palm Beach. In 1878 a shipwrecked cargo of coconuts was washed onto the barren, sandy beach and took root. Early settlers also gathered the nuts and planted them to create a palm-shaded haven, which was named Palm City in 1880. Renamed Palm Beach in 1887, it developed as a resort after Henry Flagler extended the Florida East Coast Railroad to West Palm Beach in 1894 and opened his Royal Poinciana Hotel. Palm Beach was frequented by wealthy and famous personages and remains one of the most luxurious winter resorts in the United States, with hotels, clubs, private estates, and yacht facilities. It is strictly zoned and has no manufacturing. Inc. 1911. Pop. (1991 est.) 10,071.