Other than at the Hillsboro Inlet, in the early years of the twentieth century there were no permanent residents living on the beach in what is today Pompano Beach.

It is thought that the first beach resident (albeit seasonal) was Exum Jelks and his family. Around 1907 Exum purchased 100 acres that ran from the beach to the canal (today's Intracoastal Waterway). He paid $2,000.

The Jelks' property was located south of today's Atlantic Boulevard and was platted with the name "Palm Island."