Northwest Historic District



The Northwest Historic District is a U.S. historic district in West Palm Beach, Florida on the northwestern side of the downtown area. It was designated a historic district on January 22, 1992. Its first Non-Native American settlements date back to the late 19th Century. After Henry Flagler announced plans to extend the Florida East Coast Railway to Southeastern Florida, blacks from northern Florida, Georgia, and the Bahamas moved to this area in search of work. West Palm Beach became incorporated in 1894, making it the oldest municipality in Palm Beach County.

During many decades, the Northwest neighborhood hosted the local segregated black community that prospered and added their own identity and culture to the city.

The district is bounded by Tamarind Avenue, 11th Street, Rosemary Avenue, and 3rd Street.

It contains 316 historic buildings, including remarkable churches and houses that represent a variety of styles from the late 19th- and early 20th- century in the South like the Bungalow Craftsman style, the Bahamian Vernacular style, the Shotgun, and American Foursquare style.

The West Palm Beach Community Development Agency has targeted the area, and is restructuring Tamarind Avenue and 7th Streets. They are also restoring the Sunset Lounge, called the "Cotton Club of the South", one of the few remaining venues on the Chitlin' Circuit.