Brief History of Palm Coast: From Swamp to Planned Paradise

The Story of Our City

Palm Coast is one of Florida’s newest cities, but its land has a story that stretches back centuries. Long before the first rooftops appeared, this area was home to the Timucua people and later served as a vital trade route during the British colonial era.

How was Palm Coast founded?

In 1969, the ITT Corporation (International Telephone & Telegraph) purchased 68,000 acres of swamp and pine forest in Flagler County. Their vision was to create the largest "Planned Unit Development" (PUD) in Florida history—a self-contained community with its own infrastructure, canals, and golf courses.

The "Alphabet" Neighborhoods

If you’ve noticed that every street in your neighborhood starts with the same letter (like the "P" Section or the "W" Section), that was intentional.

• Design: ITT planners used an alphabetical grid to help residents navigate the massive project.

• The Canals: 23 miles of saltwater canals and 46 miles of freshwater canals were carved out to provide waterfront living and advanced water management.

Key Milestones:

• 1970: The Palm Coast Welcome Center (a 64-foot observation tower) officially opened on October 29—now celebrated as Founder’s Day.

• 1972: The first "Pioneers" (residents) moved into their homes in the "C" section.

• 1999: On December 31, residents voted to officially incorporate, making Palm Coast a self-governing city.

Palm Coast Today

What started as a corporate project has grown into a city of over 95,000 residents. Despite the growth, the original "planned" vision remains, with over 125 miles of trails and a focus on "Authentic Florida" natural beauty.