Alford, Alan (Interviewee)

The interview recounts Mr. Alfords early life and his childhood memories. After joining the military he enrolled at the University of Miami to study Business Administration. At the age of twenty-eight, he became the first assistant city manager of Boca Raton and eventually moved up to the official city manager position in 1966 which he held for 6 years. Having gained respect and support from the community, Mr. Alford was elected mayor of Boca Raton in 1972.

The interview recounts Mr. Alfords early life and his childhood memories. After joining the military he enrolled at the University of Miami to study Business Administration. At the age of twenty-eight, he became the first assistant city manager of Boca Raton and eventually moved up to the official city manager position in 1966 which he held for 6 years. Having gained respect and support from the community, Mr. Alford was elected mayor of Boca Raton in 1972.

The interview recounts Mr. Alfords early life and his childhood memories. After joining the military he enrolled at the University of Miami to study Business Administration. At the age of twenty-eight, he became the first assistant city manager of Boca Raton and eventually moved up to the official city manager position in 1966 which he held for 6 years. Having gained respect and support from the community, Mr. Alford was elected mayor of Boca Raton in 1972.

This interview is one in a series conducted from 1984-85 by sociologist Dr. Arthur Evans of Florida Atlantic University. The information gathered from these interviews was used for the compilation of “Pearl City, An Analysis of the Folk History,” by Sharon Wells, The Spanish River Papers, v. XV (1986-87) and the book Pearl City, Florida: A Black Community Remembers, by Dr. Arthur S. Evans, Jr. and David Lee (1990). In 1958 white resident Alan Alford and his wife, Lenore, established their home in Boca Raton. From 1960 – 66 Al served as Assistant City Manager of Boca Raton; 1966 – 1972 as City Manager; and held office as Mayor from 1973 – 1975 as a member of the “Three A’s” in the city’s government: Al Alford, Bill Archer and Dave Ashe.