Ft. Lauderdale may boast some incredibly hip and modern facilities these days, but the city also happens to be steeped in history. The Tequesta Native American tribe lived there for over 2,000 years before the first European explorers arrived, for example. After that point, settlers have continually occupied the area to this day, including the builders of the original fort the city was named after.
Visitors and residents of Ft. Lauderdale can enjoy this history by taking a look at one of the following beautiful and fascinating historical sites in the city:
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
The Bonnet House was the first Ft. Lauderdale site listed on the National Register of Historic Places when it was added in 1984.
Originally purchased by wealthy Chicago lawyer Hugh Taylor Birch in 1895, the property was gifted to his daughter Helen and her husband, Frederic Clay Bartlett. An artist by trade, Bartlett decided to use the property to construct a winter home in 1920 for his spouse. He ensured that the home was rife with unique architecture and stately grounds that could provide a picturesque habitat for native plants and animals.
Bartlett’s second wife, Evelyn, donated the property to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation in 1983. It is now open to the public as a museum, art gallery, and scenic garden. It also serves as a rental venue and a host for Ft. Lauderdale events, like the annual Orchid Festival.
Los Olas Boulevard
With its vibrant night clubs, restaurants, art galleries, and boutique stores, Los Olas Boulevard provides enough interest to be a popular attraction for locals and tourists on its own. Yet, its rich history and period architecture lend even more character to the area.
First built in 1917, the boulevard was originally a dirt road that cut through swampy wetlands. Developers then dredged the area in 1920, quickly turning it into valuable property and making way for a gorgeous waterfront residential district. Following WWII and continuing to this day, many of the properties were converted into mixed-use developments with high-end shops on the ground floor and valuable homes atop. Famous former residents include singer Connie Francis, Sonny and Cher, Lucille Ball, and her husband Desi Arnaz.
Visitors now can enjoy a host of upscale establishments, including the famous Elbo Room Bar, as well as yearly events like the Los Olas Art Fair.
Stranahan House
Frank and Ivy Stranahan arguably helped make Ft. Lauderdale the bustling economic area it is today when they first built their trading post in 1901. At the time, few people lived in the region, enabling the Stranahans to enjoy a monopoly on trade with Seminole Indians and passers-by.
The trading post was converted into a home in 1906, and it remains faithfully preserved to this day. This preservation makes the Stranahan House the oldest standing structure in Broward County.
Visitors can enjoy a guided home tour led by knowledgeable docents. They can also participate in the famous River Ghost boat tour on Sunday nights for an eventful jaunt through Ft. Lauderdale’s nearby riverways.
Enjoy These and Other Incredible Historic Locations to Visit in Ft. Lauderdale
Alongside these three amazing places, you can visit the Ft. Lauderdale Historical Society & Museum, the elegant Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, the Ft. Lauderdale Antique Car Museum and many more nearby attractions to immerse yourself in history for a fun, memorable afternoon.
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