Events

LOCAL AUTHORS TO PRESENT BOOK AT HISTORIC BOYNTON BEACH RESTAURANT

Two local authors will hold a book signing event at the historic Little House restaurant in Boynton Beach, on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The book, Pioneering Palm Beach: The Deweys and the South Florida Frontier (The History Press) chronicles the life of Byrd Spilman Dewey and Fred S. Dewey and their life in the emerging paradise resort of Palm Beach. So much is known about their time in Florida because of Mrs. Dewey’s writings, which include the 1899 national bestseller Bruno, the story of their dog set against the Florida frontier. Their home in West Palm Beach, Ben Trovato, was a sentinel point for the Palm Beach elite to gather and talk culture and literature. As part of the book’s research, DeVries and Pedersen discovered a series of articles Mrs. Dewey had written on their pioneer days that had been completely overlooked by historians. “That was a find that we still talk about.” said Pedersen. “It is the best pioneering account written by a woman, and the only one by a professional writer.” DeVries added. The Deweys were also key players in the founding of Boynton Beach. Mrs. Dewey bought 160 acres of land in 1892, and had a contract to sell it, but the Deweys took back the land in an 1897 foreclosure. They filed the town plat in 1898, and sold lots to northern settlers. The Little House Restaurant is located on the original Town of Boynton plat, in a restored 1940 historic cottage. ### For more information, please contact Ginger Pedersen, Pedersen.gl@gmail.com, 561-313-2798.