Throwback Thursday: A look back at the breathtaking Breakers Palm Beach hotel

Laura Lordi, M.M. Cloutier, Greg Lovett, Damon Higgins
·1 min read
Vibrant holiday hues light up The Breakers' Florentine Fountain in December 2022.
Vibrant holiday hues light up The Breakers' Florentine Fountain in December 2022.
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The Breakers was known as The Palm Beach Inn when founder Henry Flagler first opened the oceanfront hotel in 1896. But before long, wealthy Gilded Age visitors — think Vanderbilts and Astors — wanted to stay “down by the breakers (waves)” so it was renamed in 1901.

We look back through the years at The Breakers Palm Beach, which bills itself as the oldest continuously operating business in Florida

In March 2020, The Breakers Palm Beach hotel had no guests. The hotel was closed over concerns about coronavirus.
In March 2020, The Breakers Palm Beach hotel had no guests. The hotel was closed over concerns about coronavirus.

The Breakers' golf course was founded by Flagler in 1897

Bessie Fenn, circa 1940, setting up for a drive at the first tee of the Palm Beach Golf Club.
Bessie Fenn, circa 1940, setting up for a drive at the first tee of the Palm Beach Golf Club.

The Breakers’ Ocean Course is said to be the longest continuously operated golf course in Florida. This is all the more noteworthy considering Henry Flagler, who founded the course in 1897, thought the sport was a passing fancy.

More from our archives:

After the beach censor was relieved in 1929, women at The Breakers Beach began wearing more revealing bathing suits.
After the beach censor was relieved in 1929, women at The Breakers Beach began wearing more revealing bathing suits.
From the archives: After the railway tracks were removed, the pier was as much a place to promenade as it was to fish. The Sailfish Club’s official scales were kept at The Breakers Pier.
From the archives: After the railway tracks were removed, the pier was as much a place to promenade as it was to fish. The Sailfish Club’s official scales were kept at The Breakers Pier.

The Breakers Palm Beach: A rare privately owned resort

The Breakers of the 21st century stands as one of relatively few privately-owned resorts — independent of chain affiliation — in the country.

With 538 rooms and suites, numerous restaurants, a beach club, golf, tennis, a spa, fitness center and shopping, the resort hotel is owned by Flagler System Inc., which includes Flagler’s heirs.

➤ More from our archives: The Lake Worth Beach pool through the years

➤ More from our archives: Boynton Beach Mall through the years

The Breakers hotel has no guests in Palm Beach, Florida on March 23, 2020. The hotel closed last week over concerns about the coronavirus. It plans to stay closed for at least three weeks. [GREG LOVETT/palmbeachpost.com]
The Breakers hotel has no guests in Palm Beach, Florida on March 23, 2020. The hotel closed last week over concerns about the coronavirus. It plans to stay closed for at least three weeks. [GREG LOVETT/palmbeachpost.com]

The Breakers Palm Beach

Location: 1 S County Road, Palm Beach, 33480

Contact: 561-655-6611 or visit The Breakers website for more information.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Post archives: The Breakers Palm Beach Florida hotel through the years