Canal Point, Florida
Canal Point is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Miami metropolitan area of South Florida despite its local culture and location being way more similar to the Florida Heartland. Canal Point has a population of 344 people counted in the 2020 US census.
Canal Point, Florida | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname: CP | |
| Coordinates: 26°51′43″N 80°37′50″W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County |  Palm Beach |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2) |
| • Land | 1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 344 |
| • Density | 247.13/sq mi (95.42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 33438[2] |
| Area code(s) | 561, 728 |
| FIPS code | 12-10100[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0279964[4] |
The land was originally inhabited by the Calusa tribe until 1650 CE. White settlers began occupying the area in 1909, establishing an agrarian community that currently still relies heavily on agriculture, especially sugar from sugarcane crops. The completion of the West Palm Beach Canal in 1917 allowed crops to be shipped by boat to West Palm Beach and then to other areas of the country, while construction of Conners Highway in 1924 resulted in crops being transported by motor vehicle. The CDP is very small with very little infrastructure.
Geography
Canal Point is located at 26°51′43″N 80°37′50″W (26.862060, -80.630543).[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2), all land.
Canal Point is located along the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee, to the northeast of Pahokee and to the northwest of Bryant.
Climate
| Climate data for Canal Point, Florida, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1953–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 90 (32) |
90 (32) |
94 (34) |
97 (36) |
99 (37) |
98 (37) |
100 (38) |
99 (37) |
98 (37) |
96 (36) |
93 (34) |
94 (34) |
100 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 85.1 (29.5) |
85.7 (29.8) |
88.5 (31.4) |
91.5 (33.1) |
93.5 (34.2) |
94.9 (34.9) |
95.7 (35.4) |
95.6 (35.3) |
94.4 (34.7) |
91.7 (33.2) |
87.8 (31.0) |
85.9 (29.9) |
96.5 (35.8) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 74.2 (23.4) |
77.4 (25.2) |
80.2 (26.8) |
85.2 (29.6) |
88.7 (31.5) |
91.0 (32.8) |
92.2 (33.4) |
92.2 (33.4) |
90.5 (32.5) |
86.8 (30.4) |
80.9 (27.2) |
76.8 (24.9) |
84.7 (29.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 65.6 (18.7) |
68.3 (20.2) |
71.1 (21.7) |
75.5 (24.2) |
79.3 (26.3) |
83.0 (28.3) |
84.0 (28.9) |
84.2 (29.0) |
83.0 (28.3) |
79.3 (26.3) |
73.1 (22.8) |
68.7 (20.4) |
76.3 (24.6) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 57.1 (13.9) |
59.2 (15.1) |
62.0 (16.7) |
65.8 (18.8) |
69.8 (21.0) |
75.0 (23.9) |
75.7 (24.3) |
76.2 (24.6) |
75.5 (24.2) |
71.7 (22.1) |
65.3 (18.5) |
60.5 (15.8) |
67.8 (19.9) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 40.6 (4.8) |
43.3 (6.3) |
49.0 (9.4) |
54.1 (12.3) |
61.1 (16.2) |
68.0 (20.0) |
70.4 (21.3) |
70.7 (21.5) |
69.5 (20.8) |
61.1 (16.2) |
51.5 (10.8) |
45.5 (7.5) |
38.5 (3.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 25 (−4) |
29 (−2) |
31 (−1) |
41 (5) |
48 (9) |
53 (12) |
62 (17) |
61 (16) |
60 (16) |
42 (6) |
38 (3) |
25 (−4) |
25 (−4) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.37 (60) |
1.94 (49) |
2.86 (73) |
4.25 (108) |
3.91 (99) |
8.38 (213) |
6.53 (166) |
9.19 (233) |
8.06 (205) |
3.73 (95) |
2.18 (55) |
2.06 (52) |
55.46 (1,408) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 6.2 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 6.9 | 13.8 | 12.9 | 14.3 | 13.4 | 8.2 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 103.3 |
| Source: NOAA[6][7] | |||||||||||||
History
Archaeological evidence from Big Mound City, located roughly 10 mi (16 km) of Canal Point, suggests that the Calusa tribe inhabited the area between about 500 BCE and 1650 CE.[8] In 1909, Canal Point became the first White settlement on the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee. The Southern States Land and Timber Company began planting sugarcane in the area in 1917. Around that time, the West Palm Beach Canal was completed. The canal connected Lake Okeechobee at Canal Point to West Palm Beach, allowing farms to sell crops to West Palm Beach or elsewhere in the United States via the Florida East Coast Railway. Transportation of crops by motor vehicle from the area to other destinations began in 1924 with the completion of Conners Highway, which mostly followed the path of the West Palm Beach Canal.[9]
Unlike other communities along the southeastern and eastern shores of Lake Okeechobee, Canal Point was relatively unscathed by the 1928 hurricane. The community was likely inundated with 1.5 to 2.5 ft (0.46 to 0.76 m) of water and one death occurred.[10] However, the local economy suffered greatly and never recovered after construction of the Herbert Hoover Dike limited boat traffic in the 1930s. Residents saved the historic Canal Point School from demolition and hoped to convert it into an agricultural museum, but the building was destroyed by a fire in 2008. About three years earlier, Hurricane Wilma wrecked several other historic buildings in the community.[9]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 525 | — | |
| 2010 | 367 | −30.1% | |
| 2020 | 344 | −6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 107 | 31.10% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 50 | 14.53% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Asian (NH) | 1 | 0.29% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Mixed/Multiracial (NH) | 3 | 0.87% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 183 | 53.19% |
| Total | 344 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 344 people, 107 households, and 81 families residing in the CDP.[13]
2010 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 177 | 48.23% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 74 | 20.16% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 1 | 0.27% |
| Asian (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 6 | 1.63% |
| Mixed/Multiracial (NH) | 0 | 0.00% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 109 | 29.70% |
| Total | 367 |
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 367 people, 91 households, and 35 families residing in the CDP.[15]
2000 census
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 525 people, 197 households, and 127 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 339.3 inhabitants per square mile (131.0/km2). There were 227 housing units at an average density of 146.7 per square mile (56.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 55.05% White (43.1% were Non-Hispanic White),[16] 17.52% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 21.14% from other races, and 5.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35.05% of the population.
As of 2000, there were 197 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were [married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.38.
In 2000, in the CDP, the population was spread out, with 30.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.6 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the CDP was $37,813, and the median income for a family was $29,792. Males had a median income of $32,232 versus $12,283 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,625. About 19.5% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2000, English as a first language accounted for 65.00% of all residents, while Spanish is the first language of 35.00% of the population.[17]
Living
Almost the entirety of Canal Point's populace is involved in agriculture. Most are independent farmers or employees of one of the large local sugar co-operatives, the largest three being the US Sugar Corporation, Osceola Farms, and Fanjul Sugar. The town has an access point to the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail.
Transportation
The Palm Tran Route 47 connects Canal Point to Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay, as well as to Route 40,[18] which links Belle Glade to Wellington.[19] State Road 15 and US routes 98 and 441 move jointly northeastward through Canal Point, generally parallel to the shore of Lake Okeechobee, with the road locally referred to as E. Main Street. The road is adjoined by the northwest-southeast moving State Road 700, locally known as W. Main Street and Conners Highway, just south of the West Palm Beach Canal. State Road 700 moves southeastward and rejoins State Road 15 and US routes 98 and 441 near Twentymile Bend.[20]
Education
- Kathryn E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary School is the only school located in Canal Point. The school was named for former principal, Kathryn E. Cunningham, who retired from education after 50 years. Cunningham was instrumental in getting the school built and a supporter of children's education her entire life.[22]
- Pahokee Middle School[23]
- Pahokee High School[24]
There are no colleges or universities in Canal Point. However, Palm Beach State College has campuses in Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves.[25]
Notable people
- Anquan Boldin, former NFL wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions,[26] raised in Canal Point.[27]
- Laura Upthegrove, "Queen of the Everglades", famous bandit, owned and operated and died at a gas station in Canal Point.[28]
Images
Original lab/office building constructed at U.S. Sugar Plant Field Station, Canal Point, Florida, August 1922.
U.S. Sugar Plant Field Station (USDA Sugarcane Field Station), 1940, Canal Point, Florida.
Aerial view, E, of Canal Point, Florida, from over Lake Okeechobee.
Aerial view, ESE, of West Palm Beach Canal, Canal Point, Florida, 1940, from over Lake Okeechobee.
Aerial view, W, of the USDA Sugarcane Experiment Station, Canal Point, Florida, October 6, 1947, flooded after 1947 Fort Lauderdale hurricane.
Water standing approximately three feet deep in fields of U.S. Sugar prepared for Fall cane planting, east of Canal Point - Port Myacca Highway and south of the USDA's Sugarcane Experiment Station. Note flooded mature sugarcane field in the background. Photograph taken October 6, 1947, from Canal Point Townsite.
A sandbag and muck dike hold flood water back from the townsite of Canal Point, Florida, during October and November, 1947. The trees in the background are along the border of the USDA sugarcane experiment field.
References
- "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- "Canal Point, FL ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 – Station: Canal PT USDA, FL". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- "Archaeology in Palm Beach County". Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- "Canal Point". Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- Eliot Kleinberg (2003). Black Cloud: The Great Florida Storm of 1928. Carroll & Graf Publishers. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7867-1146-8.
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- "HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE: 2020". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- "HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES:2020". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- "HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE: 2010". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- "HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: 2010". data.census.gov. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- "Demographics of Canal Point, FL". MuniNetGuide.com. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
- "MLA Data Center Results for Canal Point, Florida". Modern Language Association. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
- "Central County Route 47" (PDF). Palm Beach County Government. May 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- "Central County Route 40" (PDF). Palm Beach County Government. May 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- "Straight-Line Diagram of Road Inventory, Roadway: 93140000 Conners Highway: CR-880-Martin". Florida Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- "Fire in Canal Point Elementary School". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- Dean Jones (July 20, 1990). "Honor sought for principal". The Palm Beach Post. p. 3B. Retrieved September 19, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Middle School Attendance Boundaries SY2018–19" (PDF). School District of Palm Beach County. 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- "High School Attendance Boundaries SY2018–19" (PDF). School District of Palm Beach County. 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- Scott Travis (February 24, 2017). "Palm Beach State opens long-awaited western campus". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- "Anquan Boldin". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- Robert Preston Jr. (March 18, 2014). "The Mystique of Glades Central High School". Game High School Sports Magazine. p. 12. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- Kleinberg, Elliot (September 3, 2015). "POST TIME: Upthegrove Beach named for family that saw prestige, shame". Retrieved May 23, 2016.
