Welcome to Kelsey City Traditional Cache
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Kelsey City (renamed to Lake Park in 1939) was founded by Harry S. Kelsey in 1921. In 1920, Kelsey City attracted nationwide attention as a revolutionary town and so began unprecedented activity. The phenomenal growth trend continued through 1922 and 1923. In 1923, electric lights were installed along the streets and the Town was formally incorporated. Kelsey City was the first city with zoning in Florida. Harry Kelsey hired the Olmstead Brothers (designers of Central Park in NY) to layout the design of the town. This was the first full-scale city to be designed by the Olmstead Brothers.
Spanning across the road into town (then Dixie Highway – Old Dixie Highway today) a giant arch was built. On the arch a sign read “Welcome to Kelsey City, Gateway to the World’s Winter Playground.” The pillars collapsed when an attempt was made to move them to a permanent spot in Kelsey Park.
As the Land Boom started slowing at the end of 1925, the real estate market significantly declined and many of the Town's intended improvement never materialized; however, Town Hall (located further west on Park Avenue) was constructed in 1927, and not only survived the devastating 1928 hurricane that destroyed much of the Florida East Coast and sheltered the Town residents during the storm, it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
On the west side of Federal Highway, across from Kelsey Park, three of the original houses built in the town remain. The Kelsey family lived in the “Brown Shingle House” which has since been painted blue and serves as a real estate office. A pioneer family, the Blakely’s lived in the house on the northwest corner (now a dentist office). Samuel Blakely was brought down by Harry Kelsey to landscape the city – Kelsey Park was his first project. Kelsey Park was included in the Olmstead Brothers’ original plans for the city. It remains as a key public parcel for community events, recreational and leisure activities.
Welcome to Kelsey City!
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(Decrypt)
Rnfg Fvqr
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