The History of the Parker Bridge

From North Palm's Ed Cunningham: "We continue recognizing the 62nd anniversary of the Village with this historical tidbit: The Parker drawbridge on U.S. Highway 1 at the north end of the Village golf course was built in 1926. It was named after the first pioneer family documented to live year-round on the mainland. Mr. Parker was the first full-time bridge tender and was on call 24 hours a day, and the county built him a house on stilts just east of the bridge."

Here's another history factoid from Ed:

"Do you know where the first documented commercial establishment was built in what is now known as the Village of North Palm Beach? It was the Hygeia Hotel on Munyon Island! Named after the Greek goddess of health, the hotel was marketed as a health spa, drawing business from Palm Beach. After a short existence, the hotel was destroyed by fire in 1917."  More info about Munyon Island at John D. MacArthur State Park can be found here: bit.ly/2MdBf4q

Hygeia Hotel (Courtesy Ed Cunningham)