Settled more than a century ago, the people of Loxahatchee Groves have maintained their roots as a rural community in central Palm Beach County. Nearly two decades ago, they made a decision to help preserve their way of life by officially becoming an incorporated town.
The Town of Loxahatchee Groves will be celebrating this 2006 milestone in November with everyone who has helped the town get to where it is today.
The town will be hosting its 20th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Nov. 8, to commemorate its journey of protecting the rural character that the area is known for. Dubbed “Florida’s Last Frontier,” the town stretches across approximately 8,000 acres of land with more than 3,000 residents. While small in comparison to its neighbors, its people make sure they have a big impact on preserving its large open spaces and rustic environment.
“The driving force behind the efforts made over 20 years ago is practically the same today: home rule and the ability to make the decisions that most directly affect our community at the local level,” Loxahatchee Groves Mayor Lisa El-Ramey said. “The community motto for years was ‘Love It and Leave It Alone.’ That sentiment still captures much of what residents value about Loxahatchee Groves.”
The area is one of the oldest communities established in the western part of the county. The land was purchased by the Southern States Land and Timber Company in 1902. After the completion of the West Palm Beach Canal in 1917, pioneers and farmers began to settle on the land.
Those who lived on the land were able to maintain this rural character over the next several decades. However, as other parts of the county rapidly became developed, this growth threatened the lifestyle that people of the area had come to know. After a multi-year process, the people of Loxahatchee Groves voted in 2006 to incorporate to protect their home and prevent the growing encroachment of urbanization around them.
Since then, the town has undergone many changes. Residents and leaders have come and gone. But one thing has never changed: a fierce commitment to do everything possible to keep Loxahatchee Groves the way it has always been.
“This is the anniversary of a hard-fought battle to preserve our rural lifestyle,” Councilwoman Anita Kane said. “We’re still holding the line and trying to improve the town and keep pace with our needs as the community around us grows and develops.”
Town officials and residents will be celebrating the event at Loxahatchee Groves Park. Organizers hope to combine activities to also honor veterans for Veterans Day. The celebration is meant to recognize those who have helped bring the town to where it is today. Town officials are inviting residents to bring small mementos to leave in a time capsule to open in the future. They will provide paper for attendees to write messages for it as well.
“I hope those residents, along with more of our newer arrivals, will continue to participate, ask questions, serve on committees, attend meetings and become involved in the decision-making process,” El-Ramey said. “More than 20 years ago, residents became involved because they believed this community was worth preserving. The best way to honor that effort is to make sure that residents continue to have a meaningful role in determining what Loxahatchee Groves will be in another 20 years.”
The Loxahatchee Groves Anniversary Celebration will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Loxahatchee Groves Park, located at 13901 Southern Blvd. Family-style games and activities, along with free food, will be available. Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. Learn more at www.loxahatcheegrovesfl.gov.
