HERBERT MALCOLM and THE "EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH"
by Bud Garner
Herbert Malcolm came to Pompano in the early 20’s and it was
his vision that resulted in one of the more famous landmarks in
Florida.
Florida faced the early years of its history being governed of
ruled under the flags of five countries, one of those countries,
England, awarded land grants to various noblemen. One of them, the
Earl of Hillsborough was given ownership of a large parcel of land in
South Florida along the East Coast which included an inlet from the
interior and is now known by the shortened name of Hillsboro and
Hillsboro Inlet
This grant was inhabited by Indians, panthers, bears, alligators,
snakes, pirates, bootleggers and smugglers. It wasn't much that the
Earl could use to any great advantage other than to be know as a
large land holder. The land was unsuitable for agriculture, ranches or
for trading purposes which for what it would be expected . It was at
the site of the Hillsboro Inlet located on a small
peninsula that is adjacent to the Hillsboro Lighthouse that was erected
in the year 1907 in the land boom of the early 1920s' that a young
school master, Herbert Lawrence Malcolm, a 1907 graduate of Yale
University ,a man with vision purchased 16 acres of this land on the
North side of the Hillsboro Inlet from the estate of the Earl of
Hillsborough for a reported price of seventy five cents an acre, built
a
rambling frame building of Dade County pine and opened it as a boys
school.
Malcolm realized early off this type of facility was not going to be
profitable and he decided to turn it into a vacation spot for winter
visitors. It was this decision that enabled him to create one of the
most elite and fabulous spots for privacy and elegancy in the country.
The facility was offered to guests for $35.00 per week and he made it a
club hotel with memberships, which is next to impossible to
obtain today as they are handed down from generation to generation. To
become a member you had to be recommended in writing by
four members of the club,reviewed by the clubs membership
committee whose suggestion went to the board of directors for
approval. Memberships were limited.
The rambling white buildings, some built just at the high tide
mark on the ocean was so completely secluded that any traffic in later
years traversing the beach road was unseen and unheard, Malcolm
stated that "money is secondary to social importance and
background," and the club remained unchanged in its exclusive
membership and building make-up since 1925.
Herbert realized the importance of experienced employees. He
was instrumental in putting together and training a staff that for the
most part remained at the club for many years. Some, like Zora Isler
Saxon who was raised at the Hillsboro lighthouse worked as a
waitress from 1946 until she retired in 1971 as head waitress. .There
were approximately 155 employees of the club that
attended to the comfort ,wants and needs of the members and guests.
Activities at the club included tennis, shuffle board, swimming,
sunbathing or just lounging. A Lanai lounge was added later amid
much protest but was gradually accepted. Previous to this, alcoholic
drinks were only served in the privacy of members rooms. Dinner
required coat and tie for men, sandals and bathrobe covering bathing
suits were allowed in the dining area at lunchtime.
Herbert Malcolm was a man of many interests, he was an
adventurer and mountain climber scaling the Matterhorn at the age of
69. Malcolm loved to run and at the age of 73, ran the 220 yard dash
in 29 seconds.
His wife died in 1940 and Malcolm remarried in 1941. This
marriage produced two children, Herbert L. Jr. (Sandy) and Mary. Sandy
followed in his fathers footsteps in the Hotel business. His
nephew, James Allen Malcolm married a local woman, Remelle
Wilson. Allen was the Scout Master and leader at First Methodist
Church Pompano for many years I was one of the many boys in
Pompano that had him as scoutmaster and remember the good times
we had under his leadership. Allen Malcolm died at his place, The
Pink Sands in the Bahamas this past year.
Herbert Malcolm was civic minded, serving as Mayor, Vice
Mayor and Commissioner of the town of Hillsboro Beach, a community
3.7 miles long and 900 feet wide. He gave of his time unselfishly.
Allowing the local people access through club property to the beach
for surf fishing during the times the club was closed to guests, most
of
the Pompano High school proms were held at the Hillsboro club and
also some of the banquets of high school reunions.
To say whether the lifestyle at the club has changed today,
you would probable get a different answer from as many as you
asked. One thing certain, The Hillsboro Club is as exclusive ,
intriguing and desirable as it has always been. The Hillsboro Club, it
stands on some of the most expensive,
picturesque real estate in the state of Florida. Wonder how the "Earl
of Hillsborough "would look upon his "land grant" today?
Reprinted with permission of Bud Garner
Please visit Bud Garner's site at
"http://members.tripod.com/~budgarner/"
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