James R. Anthony The Banker Who Shaped Florida's History

"Florida had been struggling to find its identity when James Rembert Anthony used his business acumen to help transform wilderness settlements into thriving cities. He was there when Henry Flagler began laying tracks down the East Coast, selling the Standard Oil baron parcels of land he needed to extend his railway to Palm Beach and Miami. With his brothers, J. R. Anthony opened men's clothing stores in four of the state's biggest cities while speculating in real estate. In 1914, Anthony began an 11-year career in the nascent Florida banking industry, becoming known as "Florida's King of Chain Banks" and financially backing visionary developers like George Merrick and Addison Mizner. Anthony documented his life as an astute businessman in an amazingly detailed series ofjournals. These historic records introduce us to pioneers, politicians, millionaire developers, and sketchy con men. In this book, youll read about the heady days of Florida's land boom that spread like wildfire from Miami, riveting the entire nation's attention. Tens of thousands traveled to South Florida, hoping to buy a piece of paradise, which was the Florida dream.