Biography of A. V. Brown, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
III, page 67, 1923.

BROWN, A. V., prominent real estate man at West Palm Beach, was a pioneer in the development 
and the extension of publicity concerning the great resources of the Everglades section. Mr. 
BROWN in his travels and business experience has covered practically all parts of the United 
States and Canada, and he has long been personally convinced that Southern Florida possesses 
the finest climate in the world, both winter and summer, and has the largest possibilities 
in its undeveloped resources of any portion of the United States.

Mr. BROWN was born in Defiance County, Ohio, in 1869, and he grew up there, acquiring a 
practical education.  At the age of nineteen he went to Chicago, and subsequent experience 
took him all over the western states.  He even made one journey to Alaska.  For a time he was 
located at Binghamton and Buffalo, New York.

Before coming to Florida Mr. BROWN lived for about 7 ½ years in Oklahoma, at Oklahoma City, 
and for the most part at Muskogee, where he was in the real estate business.

His permanent connection with South Florida began in 1908.  His attention was early attracted 
to the Everglades, and he personally examined a large part of that remarkable district and 
was a pioneer in its exploration and development.  Many of the early settlers were aided by
him in selecting their holdings, and owing to his long and intimate knowledge of these lands 
he is still much sought after for information concerning the Everglades.

Mr. BROWN was associated with Capt. J. F. JAUDON, of Miami, in the preliminary surveys of 
what has since been designated as the Tamiami Trail, a cross-state road from Miami through 
the Florida Everglades to Fort Myers on the West Coast.  This highway, now practically completed, 
is conceded to be a project that will do more to bring attention to and develop the Everglades 
than anything yet projected.  Mr. BROWN  also ran the first excursion into the Everglades 
from Miami when the Miami Canal was opened.

His business headquarters for about eight years were in Miami, but in 1917 he moved to West 
Palm Beach.  He is engaged in handling a general line of real estate, and is still greatly 
interested in the development of the Everglades in the Lake Okeechobee region.  He is trustee 
in charge of the development and sale of a subdivision at Jupiter, known as Riverside on 
the Loxahatchee River.  This comprised residential sites of a high character, where special 
improvements have already been made, including water supply, electric light and modern, 
improved streets.  Mr. BROWN has also taken an active part in the civic life of West Palm 
Beach.  He originated and for several seasons was in charge of the Indians who held the 
annual Seminole Indian Sun Dance in this city.