A city of about 75,000 in Broward County Florida, Deerfield Beach real estate located between Boca Raton and Pompano Beach. It stretches inland from the Atlantic Ocean, blending into real estate in Miami and Palm Beach resort real estate.
Seminole Indians once frequented the area. The Seminole sought out the lush swamps, wild fig trees, cabbage homes, and pine groves that flourished along the Hillsboro River. The Hillsboro River empties into the Atlantic Ocean and forms the northern border for real estate in Deerfield. King George III of England granted land along the river to the Earl of Hillsborough in the late 1700s and the river bears his name.
The settlement began in 1877 when visitors became fascinated with the prolific fauna and beauty in the area. At that time, Palm Beach was already a trendy resort for northerners. When Henry Flagler extended the Florida East Coast Railroad down the coast through this tropical oasis to Miami, more and more Deerfield FL homes began to appear. By 1898, Deerfield boasted 20 residents and opened a post office, naming it for the numerous deer that grazed along the Hillsboro River.
Boca Raton, another popular resort, lay just across a stream to the west. A narrow wooden bridge joined the communities. In 1911, the dredged Hillsboro River became the Hillsboro Canal. The canal linked the community to Lake Okeechobee, which is 45 miles northwest.
The post office was followed by several stores, a lodge, the Australian Hotel, and the Pioneer Hotel—all situated on 9-foot-wide dirt trails. Local farmers deposited fruits and vegetables in a produce shed adjacent to the railway depot for shipment to northern markets. Tomatoes produced were the finest in the state.
The Town of Deerfield, now with 1,300 residents, incorporated in 1925, elected a mayor, and built a public library. The town became Deerfield Beach in 1939.
For the first half of the 20th century, agriculture sustained the townsfolk. After the Second World War, more tourists began to visit the beaches and new oceanfront hotels and motels quickly accommodated them. By 1951, with a population of 50,000, the town once again changed its name to the City of Deerfield Beach. The current diversified economy includes manufacturing, distribution, and office industries as well.
The Lions Club had profound impact on the community. Established in 1947, it built Pioneer Park, clearing scrub for a picnic area and baseball diamond. The Club raised funds by holding chicken and rib barbecues, a tradition that continues on Founders' Day each year.
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