Fort Lauderdale Area Real Estate

Ft Lauderdale, Florida
Area Guide

Welcome to Greater Fort Lauderdale 

The Venice of America

Incorporated in 1911 the City of Fort Lauderdale is situated on Florida’s southeast coast located 42 miles south of Palm Beach and 23 miles North of Miami. Covering 33 square miles with a population of 180,000 Fort Lauderdale is the largest of Broward County’s 30 municipalities and the seventh largest city in the state.

With over 300 miles of navigable inland waterways, the Intracoastal and directly on the Atlantic Ocean Fort Lauderdale is the home of 40,000 resident yachts and is one of the most prestigious boating centers in the world.

Fort Lauderdale offers an outstanding quality of life, highlighted by a sub-tropical climate, rich natural beauty and array of cultural, entertainment and educational amenities. Fort Lauderdale boasts over 3000 hours of yearly sunshine, gentle ocean breezes, a temperature that averages 76 degrees and a world famous beach 7 miles long.

The picturesque Riverwalk serves as the cornerstone of the City’s arts, science, cultural and historic district and features the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery and Science and the Museum of Art. The Las Olas District with its famed boulevard is the hub of international fashion with art galleries, cafes and restaurants and night clubs.

Fort Lauderdale’s downtown is home to the City’s financial and corporate district and is host to the campuses of Broward College, Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University. In addition, the federal, county and school district offices as well as the award-winning Main Library are located in the district.

Neighborhoods

 

Southeast

Las Olas Isles

Colee Hammock

Rio Vista

Harbor Beach

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Harbor Heights

Northeast

Victoria Park

Coral Ridge

Coral Ridge Country Club

Sunrise Intracoastal

Sunrise Key

The Landings

Coral Heights

Coral Shores

Imperial Point

Poinsettia Heights

Lake Ridge

Sea Ranch Lakes

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Southwest

Croissant Park

Sail Boat Bend

Tarpon River

Shady Banks

Yellowstone Park

Neighboring Cities

Wilton Manors

Oakland Park

Pompano Beach

Hollywood Beach

Plantation

Weston

Sunrise

Pembroke Pines

Miramar

Coral Springs

Parkland

Boca Raton

Deerfield Beach

Delray Beach

West Palm Beach

History

For at least 5,000 years, people have been drawn to the area now known as Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. The prehistoric peoples of south Florida, known as the Glades Culture, as well as the Tequesta of the early historic period enjoyed the abundance of natural resources available along the area’s New River. By 1763 the last of these aboriginal peoples had left, and except for a few white settlers, the area was devoid of population. The Seminole Indians first appeared in what is now Broward County in the 1820s and were joined by a handful of white planters along the New River.

The city of Fort Lauderdale is named for a fortification built during the Second Seminole War on the banks of the New River. In 1838 Major William Lauderdale led a detachment of Tennessee Volunteers south along the east coast of Florida to capture Seminole agricultural lands and battle the elusive Indian warriors. Altogether, three Forts Lauderdale would be constructed: the first at the fork of the New River; the second at Tarpon Bend; and the third and largest on the beach, at the site of today’s Bahia Mar.

After the Second Seminole War ended, southeastern Florida remained a virtual wilderness due to the lack of transportation into the region. In 1892, however, the Dade County government authorized the construction of a rock road between Lantana (in Palm Beach County) and Lemon City (now North Miami). An overnight camp and ferry crossing was established at the New River, and Ohio native Frank Stranahan arrived to take charge of the facilities. He established a flourishing trading post with the local Seminoles, and by 1895 Stranahan’s Trading Post was a south Florida landmark.

In 1896 the Florida East Coast Railway reached southward to Fort Lauderdale, providing rapid transportation to south Florida from all parts of the nation. The little village increased in size and was incorporated in 1911 as the City of Fort Lauderdale. In 1915 Broward County was created out of parts of Dade and Palm Beach counties.
http://www.fortlauderdalehistorycenter.org/history_of_ft_lauderdale.html

Parks and Recreation

Birch State Park – On East Sunrise Boulevard at A1A
This in-town State Park is centered between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway with meandering canals. It is a great place to bicycle, blade, jog or picnic. It also offers camping and has designated areas with barbecue grills and picnic pavilions. This is an ideal place to people watch on a lazy afternoon. Dogs welcome!

Holiday Park – Located in Fort Lauderdale’s Victoria Park neighborhood this park offers a wide variety of sports including tennis, racquet ball and basketball courts as well as all purpose sports fields. A paved bicycle track rings the park and a series of jogging trails wander through its wooded areas. There is a designated play area for younger children. Holiday Park also plays host to The City’s Community Center, The War Memorial Auditorium and Parker Playhouse.

George English Park – At the corner of E Sunrise Boulevard and Bayview Drive this city park is situated in The City’s Coral Ridge neighborhood and offers both tennis and basketball courts. The park is located on the eastern bank of the Middle River where local kayakers and crew teams can be found launching their crafts.

Hardy Park – In the City’s Tarpon River neighborhood located on South Andrews Avenue between SW 7th and SW 9th Streets. Hardy Park is home to the Southside Cultural Center (the previous Southside School) and offers tennis courts, multi-purpose playing fields and a large playground.

Mills Pond Park – Located at 2201 NW 9 Avenue this park offers a variety of activities including water skiing, fishing, picnic areas, play grounds, and many multi-purpose sports fields. City softball and football leagues play here under lighted fields. This park is equipped with concession stands, restrooms and bleacher seating.

Attractions and Activities

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Florida Grand Opera

Fort Lauderdale Historical Society

Museum of Art

Museum of Science & Discovery

Parker Playhouse

Stranahan House

International Swimming Hall of Fame

Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre

Fort Lauderdale Film Festival

The Riverwalk Trust

Vizcaya Museum

GLCC The Pride Center

Las Olas Boulevard

Shopping – South Florida

The Las Olas Shopping District
Las Olas Boulevard between Andrews Avenue & SE 15 Avenue

The Galleria
2414 E Sunrise Boulevard – Fort Lauderdale

Sawgrass Mills
12801 W Sunrise Boulevard - Sunrise

Aventura Mall
19501 Biscayne Boulevard – Aventura

The Shops at Bal Harbor
9700 Collins Avenue – Bal Harbour

Boca Town Center
6000 Glades Road – Boca Raton

Golf and Tennis Information

Golflink.com

Tennismaps.com


Marine Directory - Dockmaster of Fort Lauderdale

http://www.fort-lauderdale-marine-directory.com

Dockmaster 954.828.7200

Events

Christmas on Las Olas

Winterfest Boat Parade

The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The Las Olas Food & Wine Festival

The Las Olas Art Fair

The Fort Lauderdale Air & Sea Show

Fleet Week

The July 4th Beach Spectacular

Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival

The Broward County Fair

Walk for the Animals

*A complete calendar of events can be found at sunny.org