Photo courtesy of Boca Raton Historical Society
When it comes to Boca Raton’s rich and storied past — whether you’re fascinated by landmark events or quirky hidden facts — no one tells the tale better than the Boca Raton Historical Society. For years, the organization has invited locals and visitors alike to dive deeper into the city’s birth and transformation through engaging programming, including its year-round “Town Hall Talks,” a lecture series held inside the city’s original town hall, sponsored by The Boca Raton Observer.
Now home to The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, the town hall building was originally commissioned in 1926 by famed architect Addison Mizner, though it was later completed by architect William E. Alsmeyer. A visit to the historic site reveals elegant architectural details and original Spanish-style antiques — offering a tangible link to the city’s early days. It also served as Boca Raton’s first fire station (currently home to the museum’s gift shop), police station and library. The second floor, which is no longer open to the public, was once the fire chief’s living quarters.
Fittingly, on June 11, the museum will welcome retired Boca Raton Fire Chief Thomas R. Wood, who served from 1974 to 2021, for a special lecture on the legacy of “Old Betsy,” the city’s very first fire engine. Manufactured in 1925, the American LaFrance 75 Triple Combination truck represented the cutting edge of firefighting equipment at the time. Notably, it was designed without doors or windows, featured right-hand steering and operated with a chain-drive transmission. In an unusual bit of ingenuity, the fire bell was relocated from the top of the truck to the front so it could pass through the doorway of the original town hall.
For more information, visit bocahistory.org.