On this day in May 1913 the world and especially Florida lost an important capitalist, pioneer and art benefactor. Henry Morrison Flagler died after a fall on the steps of his home Whitehall in Palm Beach Florida. Known for bringing the railroad to Florida from St. Augustine to Key West , Flagler was also a well known patron of the arts. As I have mentioned in a previous post Flagler not only brought major hotels to St Augustine and Palm Beach but he provided salon space for the artist of Boston and Philadelphia and other northern cities to paint and sell their creations to the ever growing tourist population making their way to Florida. According to sources one such artist Laura Woodward traveled from St. Augustine to then sparsely populated Palm Beach and sent images back to Henry Flagler sparking his interest to explore this new potential paradise. With the construction of the Royal Poinciana Hotel in Palm Beach Flaglers' idea of paradise became a reality. All of Florida celebrates Flaglers' life and accomplishments and Florida art collectors should not forget the wonderful contributions this man made to the advancement of the way artist documented the wonder and beauty that was Florida.
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