History of Boca Raton, Florida in Timeline

Boca Raton, located in Palm Beach County, Florida, is a principal city within the Miami metropolitan area and lies 45 miles north of Miami. The city had a population of approximately 97,422 in 2020, making it the 23rd-largest city in Florida as of 2022. Notably, the city's population increases substantially during the day due to its role as a business hub. Additionally, many residents with a Boca Raton postal address reside outside the city's official municipal boundaries, particularly in areas like West Boca Raton.

1911: Hillsboro Canal Dredged

From 1911 to 1914, the Hillsboro Canal was dredged, forming the southern city limits.

1914: Hillsboro Canal Dredged

From 1911 to 1914, the Hillsboro Canal was dredged, forming the southern city limits.

May 30, 1915: Platting of Pearl City

On May 30, 1915, the Pearl City neighborhood in Boca Raton was originally platted.

1920: Boca Raton Population in 1920

In 1920, Boca Raton was an unincorporated farming town with a population of 100 before Addison Mizner's involvement.

1923: Dixie Highway Built

In 1923, the Dixie Highway was built west of the lagoon and swamp area in Boca Raton.

August 2, 1924: First Incorporation of Boca Raton

On August 2, 1924, Boca Raton was first incorporated under the name "Bocaratone".

1924: Incorporation of Boca Raton and Appointment of Town Planner

In 1924, Boca Raton was incorporated, and Addison Mizner was immediately appointed as the Town Planner.

May 26, 1925: Re-incorporation as Boca Raton

On May 26, 1925, the city was re-incorporated with the name changed to "Boca Raton".

1925: Mizner's plan for Boca Raton

In 1925, Addison Mizner announced his plan to transform Boca Raton into "the foremost resort city on the North American continent".

1925: Incorporation of the Mizner Development Company

In 1925, The Mizner Development Company was incorporated and promptly issued $5 million of stock that was fully subscribed in less than a week. $500,000 was reserved for the "average Floridian" with the rest purchased by investors with Palm Beach connections.

1926: End of the Florida land boom

Due to the end of the Florida land boom of the 1920s and the 1926 Miami hurricane, the Mizner Development Corporation went into bankruptcy.

1926: Construction of the Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn

In 1926, the Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn was built. It was later renamed the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

1927: Bankruptcy of the Mizner Development Corporation

In 1927, the Mizner Development Corporation went into bankruptcy.

1930: Canal Improved

Between 1930 and 1935 the canal was improved to 8 by 100 feet (2.4 by 30.5 meters) by the federal government and renamed the Intracoastal Waterway.

1935: Canal Improved

Between 1930 and 1935 the canal was improved to 8 by 100 feet (2.4 by 30.5 meters) by the federal government and renamed the Intracoastal Waterway.

1953: Opening of Africa U.S.A. and Ancient America

In 1953, two amusement parks, Africa U.S.A. and Ancient America, opened in Boca Raton.

1959: Closure of Ancient America

Ancient America, an amusement park built around a Native American burial mound, closed in 1959.

1960: Intracoastal Waterway Improved

Between 1960 and 1965, the Intracoastal Waterway was improved to 10 by 125 feet (3.0 by 38.1 meters).

1961: Closure of Africa U.S.A.

Africa U.S.A., a wild animal park, closed in 1961.

1961: Founding of Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) was founded in 1961.

1961: Royal Palm Canal Dredged

In 1961, the Royal Palm Canal was dredged along the northern edge of Deerfield Island County Park.

1964: First classes at Florida Atlantic University

In 1964, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) held its first classes in Boca Raton.

1965: Intracoastal Waterway Improved

Between 1960 and 1965, the Intracoastal Waterway was improved to 10 by 125 feet (3.0 by 38.1 meters).

1965: IBM's Land Purchase

In 1965, IBM secretly purchased land west of the CSX rail line and northwest of Florida Atlantic University, in collaboration with the Arvida corporation.

1967: Construction of IBM's complex began

Construction of IBM's main complex in Boca Raton began in 1967. The campus included its own electrical substation, water pumping station, and rail spur.

1969: Addition of the "pink tower" hotel building

In 1969, the "pink tower" hotel building was added to the Boca Raton Resort & Club.

March 1970: Dedication of IBM's manufacturing and office complex

In March 1970, IBM's manufacturing and office complex, designed by Marcel Breuer, was dedicated in Boca Raton.

1970: Annexation of IBM site into Boca Raton

In 1970, the IBM site, originally situated in unincorporated Palm Beach County, was annexed into Boca Raton.

1978: Direct Election of Mayor

Since 1978, the Mayor of Boca Raton has been chosen through a direct election.

1983: Palm Beach Junior College Opens

In 1983, Palm Beach Junior College opened its Boca Raton campus adjacent to Florida Atlantic University. The college was later renamed.

1984: IBM as Palm Beach County's Largest Corporate Employer

By 1984, IBM was the largest corporate employer in Palm Beach County, employing 8,500 people in Boca Raton.

1984: Founding of Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex

In 1984, the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex was founded as a cooperative project of the City of Boca Raton, Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, Florida Atlantic University, and Friends of Gumbo Limbo.

1987: IBM Relocates Manufacturing

Starting in 1987, IBM relocated its manufacturing for the IBM PC division to Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.

1988: Palm Beach Junior College Renamed

In 1988, Palm Beach Junior College changed its name to Palm Beach Community College, reflecting its growth and expanded offerings.

1991: Completion of Mizner Park

In 1991, Mizner Park, a downtown outdoor shopping and dining center, was completed on the site of the old Boca Raton Mall.

1996: Closure of IBM facilities

In 1996, IBM closed its facilities in South Florida and sold them to Blue Lake Real Estate.

1996: Opening of the National Cartoon Museum

In 1996, the National Cartoon Museum was built on the southwest edge of Mizner Park.

1999: Simon Property Group buys Town Center

In 1999, the Simon Property Group bought Town Center at Boca Raton and began building a new wing on its southeastern side.

July 2001: IBM Opens Software Development Lab

In July 2001, IBM returned to Boca Raton, opening a software development laboratory at Beacon Square off Congress Avenue.

2001: Digital Media Arts College Founded

In 2001, Lynn University's Digital Media Arts College was founded, offering bachelor's and master's degrees in computer animation and graphic design.

2001: Boca Raton Museum of Art Move

In 2001, the Boca Raton Museum of Art moved to a new facility in Mizner Park.

2002: Construction of new Mizner Park Amphitheater

In 2002, a new amphitheater was built in Mizner Park, replacing a smaller one.

2002: Relocation of the National Cartoon Museum

In 2002, the National Cartoon Museum relocated to its original home in New York City after being in Boca Raton for six years.

June 2004: Gambino Family Operations

As of June 2004, according to US Federal indictments, the Gambino family continues to operate in Boca Raton.

November 2, 2004: Annexation into Boca Raton city limits approved

On November 2, 2004, voters from Via Verde Association, Waterside, Deerhurst Association (Boca South), Marina Del Mar Association, Rio Del Mar Association (both originally Boca Del Mar communities), and Heatherwood of Boca Raton Condominium Association approved annexation into the Boca Raton city limits.

2004: Annexation of Town Center at Boca Raton

In 2004, the mall area known as Town Center at Boca Raton was annexed into the city.

2005: Sale to Blackstone Group

In 2005, the site was sold to the Blackstone Group, who renamed it the Boca Corporate Center and Campus.

2007: Public high schools serving Boca Raton in 2007

As of 2007, Boca Raton was served by four public high schools: Boca Raton Community High School, Spanish River Community High School, Olympic Heights Community High School, and West Boca Raton Community High School.

2007: Murders at Town Center Mall

In 2007, several murders at the Town Center Mall gained national attention. In March, a 52-year-old woman was kidnapped and murdered. In December, a 47-year-old woman and her 7-year-old daughter were kidnapped and murdered in the mall parking lot. The case was featured on America's Most Wanted.

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2009: Palm Beach Community College Renamed

In 2009, Palm Beach Community College changed its name to Palm Beach State College.

2014: Inaugural Boca Raton Bowl

The Boca Raton Bowl, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sanctioned Division I college football bowl game, began with the 2014 season.

2016: Donald Trump wins in Boca Raton

In the 2016 presidential elections, Republican Donald Trump won in Boca Raton by a plurality.

2017: Ranking of Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club

In 2017, Forbes ranked Boca's Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club the third most exclusive gated community in the US.

April 2018: Purchase of BRiC by Crocker Partners

In April 2018, Crocker Partners purchased the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC).

April 27, 2018: Mayor Suspended

On April 27, 2018, Governor Rick Scott suspended Mayor Susan Haynie due to felony and misdemeanor charges for corruption and bribery. Scott Singer was appointed mayor until a special election.

2018: Attendance at the Greek Festival

In 2018, an estimated 15,000 people attended the Greek festival hosted by St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton.

2018: Town Center Renovations Completed

In 2018, renovations to Town Center at Boca Raton were completed.

2018: Addison Restaurant

In 2018, the Administrative Buildings on El Camino Real were home to the Addison Restaurant.

2019: Crime Rate Down

As of the end of 2019, the crime rate in Boca Raton was down 26% over the preceding 13 years.

2020: Boca Raton population in 2020

In 2020, the population of Boca Raton was recorded as 97,422 according to the census.

2020: Donald Trump wins in Boca Raton

In the 2020 presidential elections, Republican Donald Trump won in Boca Raton by a plurality.

2022: Boca Raton's ranking as largest city

In 2022, Boca Raton was ranked as the 23rd-largest city in Florida.

January 2023: Jared Moskowitz Represents Florida's 23rd Congressional District

In January 2023, Jared Moskowitz represents Florida's 23rd Congressional district, including the northern part of Boca Raton and extending south through Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

2024: Top employers in Boca Raton as of 2024

As of 2024, here are the top employers in the city.

2024: Trump received 30,159 votes and Harris received 23,401 votes.

In the 2024 United States presidential election, Trump received 30,159 votes and Harris received 23,401 votes, with 86% of eligible voters in Boca Raton participating.