Page Contents for Belle Glade, Florida

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Florida state capital is Tallahassee.
The population of Belle Glade is approximately 15,423 (2005), 17467 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 6,045 (1990), 5651 (2010).
The amount of land area in Belle Glade is 11.642 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Belle Glade is 4.6 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.023 sq kilometers.
The distance from Belle Glade to Washington DC is 870 miles.
The distance to the Florida state capital is 341 miles. (as the crow flies)
Belle Glade is positioned 26.68 degrees north of the equator and 80.67 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Belle Glade elevation is 20 feet above sea level.
Belle Glade median income is $ 22,715 (2000).
The Belle Glade median home price is $ 74,600 (2000).

Location

on the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee in southern Florida. It is about 45 miles west of Palm Beach and the Atlantic Ocean, 80 miles north of Miami and 90 miles east of Ft. Myers and the Gulf of Mexico. Other nearby communities include Belle Glade Camp, South Bay, Fremd Village-Padgett Island, Lake Harbor, Pahokee, Canal Point, Clewiston and Harlem.
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History & History Related Items

Belle Glade was first known as Hillsboro. But before that the area was inhabited by the Calusa Indians. The Seminoles, who are often associated with the area, came from other areas to the north as they were squeezed out of their homes. The community was incorporated in 1928. This year proved to be both great and disastrous. The incorporation was good, but later, on 16 September, 1928, a huge storm moved in from the Atlantic and literally destroyed the area. The water from Lake Okeechobee was pushed up and out and sent through the area. Many of the thousands who died were never found. President Herbert Hoover came to the area in 1929 to see the damage and soon after a levee was built. The Hoover Dike has about 85 miles of levee from 34 feet and up in height. It is 22 feet above sea level and has protected the area since it was built.

The naming of the community is a good story, though some doubt its veracity. They say a blackboard was placed in a hotel lobby and people could write suggestion for the name on the board. The name with the most votes would win. Because the area was known as the Belle of the Glade for its beauty, the name of Belle Glade won!

The city motto, "Her Soil is Her Fortune," says it all. The Black Gold soil is rich and productive for growing crops. Early settlers capitalized on the good earth for their livelihoods. Some of the crops grown here are green beans, celery, lettuce, sweet corn and sugar cane.

Here is a history page for Belle Glade.
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The founding of Belle Glade

1928

Attractions

Lawrence E. Will Museum
This museum features mainlylocal items representing the upper "Glades" area and the southeastern shore of Lake Okeechobee.

Belle Glade is known as the Gateway to the Everglades.
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Belle Glade City Government

The City of Belle Glade
110 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., West
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Phone: 561-996-0100

City information for Belle Glade.

Belle Glade Chamber

Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce
540 South
Main Street
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Phone: 561-996-2745
Fax: 561-996-2252

Belle Glade Organizations

Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce
540 South
Main Street
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Phone: 561-996-2745
Fax: 561-996-2252

Belle Glade Libraries

Belle Glade City Library
530 S Main St
Belle Glade, FL 33430-3914
Phone: 561-996-3453

Belle Glade Schools

Glades Central Community High
1001 SW Avenue M
Belle Glade, FL 33430-4997
Phone: 561-996-4945

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Palm Beach County School Superintendent
1901 NW 16th St
Belle Glade, FL 33430-1201
Phone: 561-996-4900

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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Palm Beach Community College - Glades Campus
Belle Glade

Miscellany

The population of Belle Glade was:
1990 - 16,177
2000 - 14,906
2005 - 15,423