Thomas Rudolph Vickers (1879-1965) was born in Key West and graduated from Howard University’s medical school. Around 1912, he started a medical practice on Rosemary Avenue, becoming one of seven black pioneer physicians in West Palm Beach. Vickers married his first wife, Sadie (1887-1941), who was from Washington, D.C., around 1913-1914. They had two sons together: Carl R. and Thomas Rudolph, Jr. In the 1920s and 30s, the Vickers owned a mortgage-free home at 911 First Avenue, and moved to Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard in 1939.
During the segregation era, Dr. Vickers provided affordable medical care to the black community.
Vickers’ second wife, Alice (1914-1996), was an opera singer, and together they were considered role models for their achievements and their contributions to the community in service and leadership. He was an ardent Yankees fan until Jackie Robinson started playing for the Dodgers, and he went to the World Series every year.
Dr. Vickers was named a Great Floridian in 2000 by the Florida Department of State and the Florida League of Cities.
The Vickers house has been restored, and it operates as a community resource center.