42-The Clint Moore House-1420 N. Swinton AvenueORDINANCE NO 05-17
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, DESIGNATING
THE CLINT MOORE HOUSE, LOCATED AT 1420 NORTH
SWINTON AVENUE, AS MORE PARTICULARLY
DESCRIBED HEREIN, AS A LOCAL HISTORIC SITE;
AMENDING LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
LDR) SECTION 4.5.1, HISTORIC PRESERVATION:
DESIGNATED DISTRICTS, SITES, AND BUILDINGS,
SUBSECTION (I), LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC
PLACES, TO ADD THE CLINT MOORE HOUSE TO THE
LOCAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES; PROVIDING
FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE "ZONING MAP OF
DELRAY . BEACH, FLORIDA, JUNE 2016"; AND
PROVIDING A GENERAL REPEALER CLAUSE, A SAVING
CLAUSE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 4.5.1 of the Land Development Regulations of the Code of Ordinances
of the City of Delray Beach provides for the designation and protection of historic sites; and
WHEREAS, Blaine M. Minton, as property owner, has nominated the property described
herein to be designated as a local historic structure; and
WHEREAS, the property at 1420 North Swinton Avenue has local historic significance for
its architectural and cultural importance; and
WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Board of the City of Delray Beach held a duly noted
Public Hearing in regard to the designation of the property as a local historic structure; and
WHEREAS, on August 3, 2016, the Historic Preservation Board of the City of Delray Beach
recommended 7 to 0 that the property described herein be designated a local historic structure; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach adopts the findings in the
Historic Preservation Board Memorandum Staff Report; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach finds the Ordinance is
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Delray Beach has conducted a duly noticed
Public Hearing in regard to the designation of the property structure located on the property
described herein as a local historic structure.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the recitations set forth above are incorporated herein.
Section 2 That the structure on the described property is hereby designated as a local
historic structure in accordance with and under the provisions of Section 4.5.1 of the Land
Development Regulation of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, to -wit:
Section 3 That Section 4.5.1, "Historic Preservation: Designated Districts, Sites, and
Buildings," Subsection 4.5.10, "Local Register of Historic Places" Subsection 4.5.1(E)(6),
Relocation," of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, be
amended to read as follows:
No changes to (1) — (41)]
1421 THE CLINT MOORE HOUSE, located at 1420 North Swinton Avenue, Delray
Beach, more particularly described as the North Half of the Northeast Quarter of Lot 7, less the
West 189.7 feet thereof and also less the East 33 feet thereof for road right-of-way of Swinton
Avenue,, of Section 8 Township 46 South Range 43 East Map Showing Subdivisions of Portions of
Townships 45 and 46 South Range 43 East according to the map or plat thereof as recorded In Plat
Book 1, Page 4 Public Records of Palm Beach County Florida Together with a sewer easement 6
feet in width on the South 6 feet or the South 100.24 feet of the West 189.7 feet of the North Half
of the Northeast Quarter of Lot 7, of Section 8 Township 46 South Range 43 East less the West
25 feet for dedicated right-of-way as in O R Book 1443 Page 5,86, corrected in O.R. Book 1778,
Page 268, Public Records of Palm Beach County, Florida.
Section 4 That the Planning and Zoning Director of said City shall, upon the effective
date of this Ordinance, amend the Zoning Map of the City of Delray Beach, Florida, to show the
historic designation, in an overlay manner.
Section 5 That all Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith be, and the
same are hereby repealed.
Section 6 That should any section or provision of this ordinance or any portion thereof
any paragraph, sentence or word be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid such
decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof as a whole or part thereof other than
the part declared to be invalid.
Section 7 That this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage on
second and final reading.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on second and final reading on this,
the 4th day of , 2017.
ATTEST: MAYOR
a City Clerk
First Reading: March 1, 2017
Second Reading: A ri14,2017
DESIGNATION REPORT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA
THE CLINT MOORE HOUSE
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 2
DESIGNATION REPORT: 1420 NORTH SWINTON AVENUE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
II. LOCATION MAP
III. PROPERTY SITE SURVEY
IV. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION
V. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
VI. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES
VIII. PHOTOGRAPHY
Report prepared June 2, 2016 by JoAnn Peart, Carolyn Patton, Kathy Alderman, Linda
Oxford, and Claudia Willis on behalf of The Delray Beach Preservation Trust & The
Delray Beach Historic Task Team
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 3
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: 1420 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Palm
Beach County, Florida
Date of Construction: 1925
Architect: Unknown
Builder: Unknown
Present Owner: Blaine M. Minton
317 N.W. 12th Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
Present Use: Residential
Present Zoning: Single Family Residential
Legal Description: 1420 North Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, Florida
33444, Property Control Number 12-43-46-08-21-
007-0010, The North one-half (N ½) of the
Northeast one-quarter (NE ¼) of Lot 7, less the
West 189.7 feet thereof and also less the East 33
feet thereof for road right-of-way of Swinton Avenue,
of the Subdivision of Section 8, Township 46 South,
Range 43 East, according to the Plat thereof, as
recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 4, of the Public
Records of Palm Beach County, Florida.
Together with an easement 6 feet in width on the
South 6 feet of the South 100.24 feet of the West
189.7 feet of the North one-half (N ½) of the
Northeast one-quarter (NE ¼) of Lot 7, of Section 8,
Township 46 South, Range 43 East, less the West
25 feet for dedicated right of way as in Official
Records Book 1442, Page 586 and Official Records
Book 1778, Page 268, of the Public Records of
Palm Beach County, Florida.
Classification for Designation: Architectural significance
Major person important to the City
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 4
I. GENERAL INFORMATION (continued)
Criteria for Designation
Section 4.5.1(B) of the Land Development Regulations of the City of Delray Beach
outlines the criteria for designating properties or sites to the Local Register of Historic
Places. It suggests that at least one criteria from paragraphs (2) or (3) must be met to
justify designation. Listed below are the criteria, which relate to this property and
justification for designation.
(3) “A building, structure, site of district is deemed to have architectural or aesthetic
significance if it fulfills one or more of the following criteria.”
(a) “Portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by one or
more distinctive architectural styles.”
(b) “Embodies those distinguishing characteristics sof an architectural style
period, or method of construction.”
This building is worthy of being designated to the Local Register of Historic Places. It
more than fulfills the criteria for designation as set forth in Section 4.5.1(B), which
requires that only one criteria of the above be met.
Also:
• 4.5.1 (B)(2)(a) life or activity of a major person important in City and State or
national history
• 4.5.1 (B)(a)(b)(c) & (d) as well as 4.5.1 (B)(4) house is national recognition
worthy
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 5
II. - LOCATION MAP
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 6
III. PROPERTY SITE SURVEY
Survey Number 253131 prepared by Target Surveying, LLC
attached hereto and made a part hereof
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 7
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 8
IV. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The house, built circa 1925 by LeRoy T. Hirth, is a wonderful example of the Georgian
Colonial style, which traces its roots back to the early American colonies. The Georgian
ideals came to New England from the mother country and became a favorite style of
well-to-do colonists, reflecting the rising ambition of a new nation.
The American version of Georgian Colonial was less ornate than the houses in
England, and the Clint Moore house reflects the relative simple styling. The house
shares many distinct Georgian Colonial characteristics, including a symmetrical style
with a paneled front door at the center of the façade, decorative crown over the front
door and a front portico supported by columns.
Unlike most Colonial Georgian houses, however, which boasted a set of chimneys
flanking the sides of the house, this house has only one chimney on the north side. The
house has a medium pitched roof and short overhang.
The house has quoins on the corners (which might have been added later) and
enclosed porches on the north and south sides. It rests on a concrete foundation and
was built of block masonry.
As it was back in Colonial times, the Georgian Colonial style bespoke of the importance
of the homeowner. Clint Moore surely wanted to make a statement of his prominent
place in the community.
The 6,177 square foot house is situated regally on a 1.7-acre parcel and sits
considerable farther back from Swinton Avenue than the bulk of the neighboring
houses. The setting conjures images more of a plantation than a residence. And a
plantation image was appropriate for the wealthy farmer dubbed “The Lima Bean King.”
Unfortunately, according to a previous owner, a fire in City Hall some 20 years ago
destroyed records of the house including the names of the architect and builder and
year in which the house was built. Palm Beach County Property Appraiser records do
show that a patio and wall was built in 1928.
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 9
V. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
According to the Florida Master File, Clint Moore was the first person in Delray to farm
west of US 441, which he did in the early 1930’s. His farm was approximately 4,500
acres on both sides of 441 south of Atlantic to the Boca Delray line where Clint Moore
Road is today. The Palm Beach Post called him “The Lima Bean King” in 1940. He did
a lot of dredging and paving work as well.
Clint Moore was a well-known local when he acquired the house from Ben Sunday
through a Master’s Deed in 1929 for $25,000. He and his family lived there until 1948,
when he passed away. His wife and five children still resided in the home until the
1950’s.
Clint Moore supported many community causes such as the Boy Scouts and the
Moores were active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where his wife was very
involved in the music program. Local Delray Architect Roy Simon remembers Mrs.
Ethel Moore giving him a prayer book when he was 12 years old.
Paul and Eleanor Gringle bought it from the Estate of Ethel Moore in the 1950’s and
lived there until the widow Eleanor Gringle sold the property in1987. Mr. Gringle was a
local attorney and then municipal judge after moving from Detroit, Michigan. They also
had a successful real estate agency. The Gringles were the only ones to decorate the
outside of the home on Swinton for Christmas. In those days it was considered very
beautiful and unique – now many people do the same.
Marjorie and Joe Ferrer who owned the home in the 1980’s and 90’s opened it up to all
sorts of community events and even television commercials. Marjorie was head of the
DDA in Delray for many years and was credited for much of the success of Atlantic
Avenue.
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 10
VI. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The Clint Moore House is an excellent example and might be the only Georgian
Colonial home left in South Palm Beach County.
There was an article in the Sun-Sentinel in 1992 about the Clint Moore House which
stated there were only four owners in the previous 60 years, Historic Preservation
Consultant Clemmer Mayhew said:
• It is irreplaceable and priceless
• All the owners respected the original materials and the original architecture
• It is museum quality
There are two special designs: “porte-cochère”, a side entrance and three-part windows
with an arch in the middle and two smaller windows on the side. Not only is the house
irreplaceable but it sits on 1.73 acres with a fabulous huge Royal Poinciana tree right in
the middle of the front yard. The yard and landscaping have majestically stood in front
of the house since its inception.
This property is a jewel to Delray Beach. Many people refer to it as “Delray Beach’s
White House”. This whole property should be listed on the Local Register of Historic
Places for it is completely worthy of the protection and special consideration afforded by
that designation.
Designation Report
1420 North Swinton Avenue
Page 11
VII. Bibliography and Sources
Delray History Books
A History of Boca Raton
Sally J. Ling
The History Press 2007
Postcard History Series: Delray Beach
Dorothy W. Patterson and Janet DeVries
Arcadia Publishing 2008
Interview with Marjorie Ferrer longtime resident and one-time owner of 1420 N.
Swinton Avenue
Interview with Roy Simon life-long resident of Delray Beach
Delray Beach News Journal 1920’s
Delray Beach Building Cards
State of Florida Master Site File
Date Trace Information Services Research 2005 LLC
Palm Beach Post Archives
Delray Beach News Archives
Sun Sentinel News Archives
Royal Poinciana accents residence
Expansive drive to residence
North side view
South side view
Rear view
This coin is a token from the Clint Moore Farm known as Delmore Farms. Bill Bathurst (a
member of the City’s Historic Preservation Board said “I recently read an article that said there
was a time in Delray Beach history that if you were not working for Clint Moore you were
unemployed. So you can see why he established such an important estate home on Swinton.
The workers in the fields were paid with tokens but they could later exchange for cash.” (taken
from a post by Mr. Bathurst from Facebook)