Deerfield Beach has a pier, a festival and a name with stories behind them. This page keeps to what we could read at the source: the City of Deerfield Beach’s History page, the Deerfield Beach Historical Society and the City’s pier pages, all checked on Oct. 20, 2026. Where the record is thin, we say so rather than fill the gap.
The original pier, 1951-1952
The Deerfield Beach Historical Society tells the story in its series “52 Deerfield Moments”, entry #25, titled “The First Deerfield Pier”. It says: “The original pier in Deerfield Beach was built in 1951-1952. It was a picturesque, wooden pier, built low to the water and great for fishing.” Read the Historical Society’s article.
- Deerfield Beach Historical Society: "The original pier in Deerfield Beach was built in 1951-1952. It was a picturesque, wooden pier, built low to the water and great for fishing." Deerfield Beach Historical Society: 52 Deerfield Moments #25, The First Deerfield Pier
We have not found a primary source for the pier’s construction history after 1952. News reports mention storm damage over the years, but we have not read them at the source, so this page gives no rebuild years. If you hold records or photos of the pier’s later years, we would like to hear from you through our contact page.
How Deerfield got its name
The City’s History page says a post office was established at Deerfield on June 22, 1898. It adds: “It is said this name was chosen because of the numerous deer that grazed along the Hillsboro River.” The City presents that as local tradition, and so do we.
- A post office was established at Deerfield on June 22, 1898; "It is said this name was chosen because of the numerous deer that grazed along the Hillsboro River." City of Deerfield Beach: History
From town to city
The Town of Deerfield was incorporated on June 11, 1925. The name changed to Deerfield Beach in 1939, and in 1951 the town became the City of Deerfield Beach. That is the same year the Historical Society gives for the start of work on the original pier.
- "The Town of Deerfield was incorporated on June 11, 1925." The name changed to Deerfield Beach in 1939, and in 1951 to the City of Deerfield Beach. City of Deerfield Beach: History
The City’s two pages give different populations. The Visitors page says “more than 77,000 residents”. The History page says “over 50,000”, which reads as older text. We use the Visitors page figure.
- "The City of Deerfield Beach is a dynamic coastal community of more than 77,000 residents." City of Deerfield Beach: Visitors
Founders’ Day and Pioneer Days
The City’s History page says the Lions Club, formed in 1947, held chicken and rib barbecues to raise money for Pioneer Park. “The fund-raiser became so popular that it became an annual celebration, now known as Founders’ Day.” The City’s signature festival today is branded Pioneer Days.
- The Lions Club (formed 1947) held chicken and rib barbecues to fund Pioneer Park; "The fund-raiser became so popular that it became an annual celebration, now known as Founders' Day." (The city's current signature festival is branded Pioneer Days.) City of Deerfield Beach: History
Pioneer Days 2027 runs Friday, Feb. 12 (4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 13 (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) at the Main Beach Parking Lot, 149 SE 21st Ave. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday and passes the International Fishing Pier, with fireworks at 9 p.m. The 2027 parade theme is “Once Upon a Time in Deerfield.” One line on the City’s page, in the parade-application blurb, says “Saturday, February 10th”, which does not match the event dates. The City’s closure list includes the pier itself on Saturday, Feb. 13. More is on our events page.
- Pioneer Days, the city's "Biggest Event of the Year": Friday, February 12 (4:00-10:00 PM) and Saturday, February 13 (10:00 AM-9:00 PM) at the Main Beach Parking Lot, 149 SE 21st Ave; parade 10:00 AM Saturday passes the International Fishing Pier; fireworks 9:00 PM. 2027 parade theme "Once Upon a Time in Deerfield." City of Deerfield Beach: Pioneer Days
The pier today
The City gives the pier’s length as 976 feet and its address as 200 NE 21st Ave. In the City’s words, it is “the crowning jewel on our beach, attracting thousands of visitors and anglers annually.” The City runs it through Parks and Recreation.
- The City of Deerfield Beach calls it the "International Fishing Pier" (page title) and describes it as "The 976-foot Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier … the crowning jewel on our beach, attracting thousands of visitors and anglers annually." City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
- The city gives the pier's length as 976 feet ("The 976-foot Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier"). City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier
The 2023 to 2026 renovation
The City awarded a base repair contract to Brothers Construction, Inc. on Dec. 12, 2023, and approved enhancements on March 5, 2024. Its FAQ still gives a Summer 2025 reopening. From Oct. 20, 2026 the pier is closed sunset through sunrise until further notice, for maintenance. The full dated record is on our renovation log.
- "Brothers Construction, Inc. was the top ranked, responsive and responsible bidder" of 3 responses to RFP #24-03-BA; the base pier-repair contract was awarded at the December 12, 2023 Commission meeting. City of Deerfield Beach: FAQs, Pier Renovations
The beach itself has a recent history
In 2023 the City and the Town of Hillsboro Beach ran a joint beach nourishment to place about 233,000 cubic yards of sand on the southern beach, dredged from the Boca Raton Inlet ebb shoal. The work had to be substantially complete by May 1 because of sea turtle nesting.
- The 2023 joint beach nourishment by the City of Deerfield Beach and the Town of Hillsboro Beach was to place approximately 233,000 cubic yards of sand on the southern beach, dredged from the Boca Raton Inlet ebb shoal. Nourishment must be substantially complete by May 1 because of turtle nesting. City of Deerfield Beach: Beach Nourishment
An older neighbor: Hillsboro Inlet Light
The Hillsboro Inlet Light Station was first lit on March 8, 1907, according to the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society. Tours leave by boat from Pompano Beach. See our lighthouse page.
What the record does not show
- When the present 976-foot structure was built, and how many times the pier has been rebuilt.
- Which storms damaged the pier and when, from a source we could read directly.
- A City record of when the renovation was finished, if it is.
We will add each one when we can read it at the source, with the date we read it.
When was the pier built?
The Deerfield Beach Historical Society says the original pier was built in 1951-1952. It was a wooden pier, built low to the water. We have not verified the construction dates of the present structure from a primary source.
Source: Deerfield Beach Historical Society: The First Deerfield Pier
Was the pier recently renovated?
Yes. The city's renovation FAQ says Brothers Construction won the base repair contract on December 12, 2023, for $3,234,075. On March 5, 2024, the Commission added $1,517,500 in enhancements, including two 20-by-20-foot Ipe pavilions, six new fish cleaning stations, 15 benches, new fencing and an illuminated welcome sign. News reports (WSVN, June 2024) said the work followed damage from Hurricane Nicole in 2022. The city has not published a completion date, and its FAQ still shows the old "Summer 2025" reopening estimate.
How old is the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse?
HLPS says Russell Wheel and Foundry Co. of Detroit built it in 1906. It was first lit on March 8, 1907, and stands 136 feet to the lens room and 147 feet overall. HLPS has scheduled a 120th Birthday Tour for March 13, 2027.
Source: Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society: Lighthouse History
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Deerfield Beach: International Fishing Pier (operator)