Next, we set our sights on South County, where the transformation of Boca Raton from the days of Addison Mizner to today are well documented by the Boca Raton Historical Society.

There's so much history here.

We are so fortunate.

Right?

I don't think people realize the amount of history.

Talk to me a little bit about this place, because it is a sort of a treasure trove.

Right here is our timeline, but we have exhibits off the timeline that highlight major points in our history, starting with our pioneers.

Addison Mizner.

World War two and of course, IBM.

Everybody who walks in the door, we meet them personally in the foyer.

We answer questions.

We can take them around.

Boca, at the pinnacle of computers, at the forefront of radar, helping us in the war.

100 years coming up, right?

Yes.

100 years since our incorporation in 25.

It's incredible.

We firmly are committed to the idea that sharing history is key to building a sense of community.

And I know that's corny.

No, but we truly embrace that.

We really do.

And we love sharing history with people of all ages, whether they're old timers or newcomers.

And that that really is the heart of our mission.

Tell me about this guy, because I've heard he has a little bit to do with the area.

Just something minor.

Here we were, a little farming town founded when Mr. Flagler's railway came through in the 1890s.

So Addison Meissner did not found Boca Raton, but he put us on the map royally in 1925, which is the year we were incorporated with his eponymous Boca Raton development, real estate development.

He and his friends purchased basically southeast Boca Raton.

And a start on this wonderful, glorious project, the dream city of the Western world.

Is that what he called it?

Yes.

Even though the land boom went bust almost as soon as he got started, 100 years later, all his dreams have been realized.

They're all here, and we still name everything after him.

And of all the things named for him in town, he only had something to do with one of those places, which I think is he would love that.

early, Boca Raton was actually home to three separate communities.

A white community a Japanese community settled near Yamato, as well as a black community called Pearl city, which still exists almost three little tiny towns that worked together.

I think it's fascinating that we had a Japanese community here.

Absolutely.

Well, it's fascinating that it was such a diverse community even back then.

Yes.

Is that how we came with the Murakami?

That's right.

Museum.

George Murakami was part of this colony.

Yes.

See?

You see what's happening here?

You're teaching me things.

I'm retaining information.

That's very important.