sign up for updates about this project or community

Fort Lauderdale History

   The area that makes up present day Fort Lauderdale has been inhabited for more than 5,000 years. Drawn to the region's New River and natural resources, the Glades culture, which was characterized by a reliance on river mouth resources, flourished. The first known inhabitants were the Tequesta, a paleo-Indian tribe. It wasn't until the late 18th century that white settlers began to appear in the area, along with the Seminole Indians, who still live in the area today. In March 1838, Major William Lauderdale, a volunteer for the Tennessee militia, led an expedition into Southern Florida during the Second Seminole War. His most important contribution was the construction of a military fort, and it was from this military post that the city of Fort Lauderdale took its name.
   The region remained largely an unpopulated mangrove swamp until the early 1900s, when Charles Green Rhodes realized the area's tremendous potential. Rhodes devised a drainage system that enabled the swampland to be drained and then developed. He also instituted a canal system based upon the one in Venice, Italy, thus earning the city the nickname "The Venice of America." Fort Lauderdale continued to develop, gradually attracting tourists and full-time residents who were keen to enjoy the warm, plentiful sunshine and long stretches of sandy beaches.
   Tourists and retirees, though, weren't the only ones who fancied soaking up the sun in South Florida. Since the early 1930s, college students had been migrating to the quiet village during the spring of each year. Fort Lauderdale's eventual fate as a mecca for fun-loving co-eds was finally sealed in 1960, with the release of the beach-party flick “Where the Boys Are," starring Connie Francis and George Hamilton and shot on location along Fort Lauderdale Beach.
   During the 1960s and 1970s, the area continued to develop. Chic beachfront condominiums and beautiful, multistory seaside homes were built and bought by the dozen, mostly by New Yorkers, Bostonians and Canadians anxious to escape the icy, Northern weather. Since the 1980s, the city has successfully evolved from being a student destination to a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a monthly influx of almost 2,500 new residents who are eager to enjoy the easy-going, tropical lifestyle.

Fort Lauderdale Fast Facts

   Location: Fort Lauderdale is located between Miami and West Palm Beach on the Atlantic coast
  *Total area: 36.02 square miles
  *Population: 152,397
  *Housing units: 80,862
  *Median family income: $46,175
   Average temperature: January: 75ºF/59ºF; June: 88ºF/74ºF
   Average precipitation: January: 2.94 inches; June: 10.01 inches
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Recreation and Activities

   In 1893, Chicago lawyer Hugh Taylor decided to settle in sunny South Florida. In his search for a new home, he came upon the fledgling town of Fort Lauderdale, which at that time consisted of only a general store and the crumbling fort. Settling on a three-mile stretch of land, he built his estate, which he eventually donated to the city. In 1949, Hugh Taylor State Park opened to the public. Visitors to the park can picnic in one of the many shaded pavilions; cycle around the two-mile paved, loop road; or simply enjoy the view of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
   Fort Lauderdale is home to many museums, galleries and theaters. The Museum of Art, located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, boasts an eclectic collection of fine art and has hosted exhibitions cataloguing the works of artists such as Spanish painter Salvador Dali and  modern photographer Ansel Adams. Visitors to the Museum of Science and Discovery, situated in downtown Fort Lauderdale, can learn about Florida's unique ecosystems and the current efforts to restore the Everglades. Exploring the city's Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment district is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Downtown Himmarshee is a bustling center for nightlife and dining, while Las Olas Boulevard offers visitors enchanting waterfront cafes and stylish boutiques.
   With seven miles of sandy beaches and more than 85 miles of navigable waterways, water sports and beach activities are the city's main attractions. Since the mid-1980s, the city has invested more than $26 million in beach redevelopment. The main road, Route A1A, which runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, was completely redesigned, doing away with the old diagonal, metered parking and replacing it with a sleek beachfront promenade that allows passers-by an opportunity to shop, dine or to simply enjoy an evening walk along the beach.
   Now a major yachting center, the city is host to one of the world's largest boat shows, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, as well as the McDonald’s Fleet Week. Culminating with the extraordinary McDonald’s Air and Sea Show, it attracts more than 2 million spectators over the course of seven days, each year.
   Another popular pastime is swimming, and the city is the proud home of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Aquatic Complex, host of numerous international swimming and diving meets.
   Snorkeling and diving are also favorite leisure pursuits. One can explore the three-tier coral reef system located near the well-known fishing pier in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.  Even local canine residents are encouraged to enjoy the surf and sand. Located at the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Route A1A is Canine Beach, a 100-yard stretch of sand dedicated solely to the activities of playful dogs.

Communities

   There are many different architectural styles represented in the city, ranging from the Mediterranean-styled, ocean-front, high-rise condominiums along the Galt Ocean mile to the brightly colored, contemporary homes -- complete with yacht moorings -- that line the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The Harbor Beach area, located between Fort Lauderdale Beach and Port Everglades, is reminiscent of the 1950s, with its delicately painted homes and perfectly manicured lawns.

Education

Maps of Fort Lauderdale

Written and photographed by Augusta Wilson exclusively for CoastParadise.com.

sign up for updates about this project or community