Sunlit Arches: How William Manly King Shaped South Florida

by Janet DeVries Naughton, Rick Gonzalez AIA (Foreword)

241 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2025

About the author

Chicago native Janet M. Naughton has been on the LAM in coastal South Florida for three decades, working in libraries, archives, and museums.

She is the author of Sport Fishing in Palm Beach County (under the name Janet DeVries) and has written over a dozen books and articles on Florida topics.

Naughton is an academic librarian, history professor, and historic researcher who consults with newspaper, television, and film outlets to bring historic subjects to life.

The lifelong Nancy Drew fan is a charter member of the Nancy Drew Sleuths. She’s never without her flashlight and magnifying glass, ready to explore overgrown historic cemeteries and spooky old attics.

The Crystal Ball Chronicles is Naughton’s leap into fiction with a true crime thriller sure to please any crime novel and mystery reader.

Reviews

[Josh Liller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of William Manly King, but since he designed the historic school in the town where I live and work I was curious to find out more. This book explores his life and career which involved several decades as a professional architect, primarily in Palm Beach County, Florida. The book features a lot of images spotlighting his work - King's architectural drawings, and both historic and modern photos of the completed buildings. He not only designed schools, but also municipal buildings, hospitals, hotels, and private residences. It is an easy read.