Historic leader given memorial street name

Robert E. Wells called ‘quite instrumental’ in Boynton’s beginnings.

BOYNTON BEACH — Two recently installed signs on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Boynton Beach are meant to honor one of the city’s historic leaders. The signs read: Robert E. Wells Memorial Avenue.

Wells, a Bahamian merchant sailor who came to the area in 1880, is the first person to be recognized through a new program the city offers to recognize significant leaders.

The two signs — brown in color with white writing — were installed last week at t wo intersections along the boulevard, and on Saturday the city held a small gathering celebrating the signs.

“I think this is great program, and we can pay tribute and pay homage to individuals who have put their blood, sweat and tears into making Boynton Beach what it is today,” Commissioner Christina Romelus said at a July meeting.

Warren Adams, the city’s historic planner, said such a program has been on his mind for a while. It came together after minister Bernard Wright, a relative of Wells, asked local officials to find a way to honor the past leader. The city’s historic resources preservation board worked with Adams to create it.

Adams said Wells was “quite instrumental” in Boynton’s beginnings.

Wells platted the Robert Wells subdivision, which includes Wells Avenue. The avenue, now known as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, was the main street or “downtown” for African-Americans during that time.

Wells also was instrumental in the founding of St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church, which is the city’s oldest established church, and in petitioning the Dade County School Board for a teacher to come to the area, which led to Poinciana Elementary School’s creation.

His signature is on the document that incorporated Boynton as a town, Adams said.

Residents are encouraged to come forward with ideas of others to be honored. Honorees could be recognized through a memorial street name or other ways, such as a plaque, street paver or landmark sign. City commissioners will ultimately have the final say on each proposal.