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Hollywood History

   At the turn of the 20th century, the area that eventually would become the city of Hollywood was merely an expanse of marshlands and pine forests, punctuated by dense thickets of palmetto plants. The founder of Hollywood, Joseph Young, came to South Florida in January 1920 and immediately understood the area’s development potential. Naming the area after Hollywood, Calif., Young began the pursuit of his dream city with the purchase of the first acre of land -- for $175 -- after the incorporation of the Hollywood Land and Water Company. Construction soon began, with Young convincing many investors and future residents to visit the fledgling city and purchase plots of land for their future homes.
   The city of Hollywood was formally incorporated by municipal charter on Nov. 28, 1925, and by January 1926, there were already 2,420 homes and approximately 18,000 residents. Young, always eager to promote the growing city, envisioned a seaport -- to be located just north of the city -- where international ships could dock, bringing tourists and visitors. This seaport, which was dredged from a shallow lake in February 1928, would eventually become Port Everglades, one of the country’s busiest ports.
   By the city’s diamond anniversary in 1975, Hollywood had grown to a population of 125,000 and more than 62,000 residences. Hollywood continues to expand, offering residents and tourists miles of sandy beaches, professional jai alai and art museums, making it one of the most desirable places to live in South Florida.

Hollywood Fast Facts

   Location: Hollywood is located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Broward County
  *Population: 139,357
  *Total area: 28.87 square miles
  *Housing units: 68,420
   Average temperature: January: 76ºF/59ºF; June: 88ºF/74ºF
   Average precipitation: January: 2.94 inches; June: 10.01 inches
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Recreation and Activities

   Hollywood Beach and Broadwalk: The seven-mile, white sandy beach makes Hollywood Beach one of the area’s most popular attractions.  The paved ocean Broadwalk allows pedestrians to enjoy a leisurely ocean side stroll or a vigorous bike ride. Visitors also can dine at one of the many cafes that line the Broadwalk, or enjoy an evening of music during the annual South Florida Jazz Festival at the centrally located Hollywood Beach Theater and Bandshell.
   Ann Kolb Nature Reserve: Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy bird watching and nature trails at the Ann Kolb Nature Reserve, located off Sheridan Street, east of Federal Highway.  Encompassing more than 1,500 acres of mangrove wetlands, the nature reserve is home to great blue herons, yellow-crowned night herons, ospreys and kingfishers. Visitors to the reserve can also rent canoes and kayaks; enjoy a peaceful trip through water trails; or take an educational, narrated boat tour.
   John U. Lloyd State Park: Situated between Port Everglades and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, John U. Lloyd State Park encompasses more than 250 acres of barrier island. Named after John U. Lloyd, a long-serving attorney for Broward County, the park offers visitors a variety of activities. Swimmers and fishermen can enjoy the pristine water along the two and half miles of beach. Boating is also a popular activity, and the park maintains a marina where boaters and jet skiers can launch their watercraft for a small fee. The park maintains a two-mile nature trail that offers hikers a pleasant 45-minute walk though a subtropical, coastal hammock. The north end of Whiskey Creek runs through the park and is a designated sanctuary for the endangered manatee.  Located along the path of the Barefoot Mailman, a 60-mile stretch of South Florida coastline that was the state’s original postal route, Whiskey Creek was a smuggler’s route during Prohibition, and recent archeological digs have unearthed campsites of the smugglers who traveled the creek.  Whiskey Creek was also the site of the infamous "Murf the Surf" murders, and local legend has it that the creek is still haunted by the ghost of the "red-eyed lady," believed to be one of Jack Murphy’s victims.

Cultural Activities

   Hollywood is home to several museums and cultural centers. The Art and Cultural Center of Hollywood houses a 510-seat theater that is a popular venue for local cultural arts programming, including theater and dance.  The Young Circle Park and Amphitheater is the home of the Hollywood Philharmonic, and it has hosted performances by the U.S. Air Force Band, and the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus of Washington, D.C.
   Dania jai alai is another popular attraction. Jai alai, from the Basque phrase meaning "merry festival," is a fast-paced type of handball. The ball, called a pelota, is whisked about the court in a wicker basket, or cesta, which is fastened to the player’s wrist. Played either in singles or doubles, the game is won by forcing one’s opponent to miss the ball or to hit the ball out of bounds. Visitors can watch the game live or in simulcast in the 220,000-square-foot facility, and you can enjoy a meal at one of the facility’s many restaurants.
   Additionally, the Seminole Tribe of Florida has six reservations located throughout the state, including one located in Hollywood.  One of the area’s main tourist attractions, the Hollywood reservation is home to two casinos: Seminole Casino Hollywood and the new Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The latter opened to the public on May 11, 2004, and occupies 86 acres of land. It boasts a 130,000-foot state-of-the-art casino; a 40-acre tropical lagoon, where visitors can enjoy water rides; and the Hard Rock Cafe dining area. The Seminole Tribe is also in the process of building the Seminole Paradise, a 300,000-square-foot shopping and entertainment district.

Communities

   Hollywood boasts many different architectural styles, ranging from colorfully painted ranch homes to multifamily complexes. High-rise condominiums line both the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and the beach, interspersed with luxurious multilevel homes with private yacht moorings.

Education

Maps of Hollywood

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

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