Vintage Fort Lauderdale, 100 years in the making

Fort Lauderdale celebrates its centennial birthday this year. Its hard to believe how much this city has evolved in 100 years. This birthday memorial stands proudly on the beach.

In 1892 Dade county authorized a rock road between Palm Beach and Lemon City (now North Miami). An overnight camp and ferry crossing was established at the New River ( downtown Fort Lauderdale). At the mouth of the New River a flourishing trading post was established with the local Indians and a few Anglo families that lived in the area. By 1896 The Florida East Coast Railway reached southward to Fort Lauderdale. This opened up more trade with people and allowed more goods and construction items to enter this part of Florida. By 1911 the little trading post increased in size and was incorporated as the City of Fort Lauderdale.

The scenery has changed and evolved. Agriculture, Army Corps of Engineers and developers have made and impact on this city. Here are some mid-centry photos of Fort Lauderdale beach.

This art deco hotel still stands, but has been redevloped.

 This mid-century view is of the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club from the Bahia Mar. During the 1950's this was the world's largest yacht basin. Fort Lauderdale is often called the Venice of America because of all the canals and waterways.

This is Fort Lauderdale beach looking north from Las Olas Blvd in the mid 1950's

This is a modern view of Fort Lauderdale beach looking north.