February 2005
22 posts
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Palm Beach County, 1910
When Palm Beach County was formed in 1909 from the northern portion of Dade County, Pompano was its southernmost municipality.
As can be seen from this 1910 map, Palm Beach’s original boundaries went as far north as Stuart.
Also note that as well as the town of Pompano, the map included a community called West Pompano. Map courtesy of the Florida Center for Instructional Technology,...
January 2005
26 posts
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Site Update
We have added a number of links to historic preservation web sites. Click on History Links in the left-hand column.
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Remembering Doc's
The business pictured below was owned and operated by A. D. “Doc” Garner and his wife Sue (but commonly called “Mrs. Doc”). After-school and weekend help came from their three sons: Leon, Larry and Don.
Doc was in business from 1959 to 1973; the building was torn down in 1974 to make room for Interstate 95.
950 W. Hammondville Road, Pompano Beach, Florida....
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South Florida Movie Lore
One of the legendary figures in South Florida history is the Barefoot Mailman.
Theodore Pratt wrote the novel, Barefoot Mailman, in 1943, and the book was made into a movie in 1951. The film version was shot on location in Naples and Silver Springs, and starred Robert Cummings and Terry Moore.
Pratt had the writing credits to four other movies: Mercy Island (1941), Juke Girl (1942), Mr. Winkle...
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Stay of Execution
The Pompano Beach Unsafe Structures Board voted today to allow a 150 day stay on its demolition order for the historic Bank of Pompano building.
The building’s current owner, the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency [CRA], had requested the Unsafe Structures Board reconsider its May, 2004, decision that the 80+ year old structure must be demolished.
Representing the CRA at the...
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Postcard from the Past
Aerial view of the Hillsboro Inlet, ca. 1956
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Saturday at the Kester Cottages
One of the benefits of visiting the Historical Society’s Kester Cottage Museums on Saturday mornings is meeting the individuals who have volunteered to serve as guides that day. They have a keen interest in Pompano Beach’s history, and most have seen a lot of it.
Yesterday, our guides were Bud Garner and Bob Todd — plenty of local history between the two of them. Bud forwarded...
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Pompano Beach's Centennial
Pompano Beach, the second oldest municipality in Broward County, was incorporated in 1908. Only Dania Beach is older (1904). Fort Lauderdale was not incorporated until 1911.
Pompano Beach is the only city in the county that has been incorporated in three counties — Dade County (1908-9), Palm Beach County (1909-15) and Broward County (1915- ).
In order to plan for Pompano Beach’s...
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Pompano on Parade
The poster shown below is part of the Historical Society’s collection and is currently on display in the east Kester Cottage at Founders Park.
There is no year on the poster, but it must have been in the mid-to-late 1950s, based on the reference to the high school’s “new field.”
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Counties Named for Governors
The other day we noted that Broward County was named for Florida Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, and that three other counties also were named for twentieth century Florida governors. What are the other three?
1) Gilchrist County
2) Hardee County
3) Martin County
Interestingly, both Hardee and Martin counties were named for sitting governors.
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Out of Time
Time ran out for the distinctive Oceanside pylon on Tuesday, January 18, 2005.
Despite efforts to save the structure by moving it to another location on the beach, another site was never secured and the property owners, Atlantic Pointe, had to demolish it before selling the property. The new owner, WCI Communities, has developed plans for the site that does not include the pylon.
Constructed in...
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Sample-McDougald House Roast
The Fourth Annual Sample-McDougald House Roast will be held on Friday, February 18, 2005, at the Deerfield Beach Hilton. Funds raised at the event will support the restoration of the landmark Sample-McDougald House and the landscaping of the grounds.
The guest of honor will be Broward County Mayor (and Pompano Beach resident) Kristin Jacobs. She will be the target of good natured barbs by...
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Martin Luther King Day
From Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream speech:This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the south. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together,...
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Coming Up This Week
Wednesday, January 19th:Arthur Makenian will give a talk on the restoration of the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse. 7:00 PM at the Dick & Miriam Hood Center, 217 NE 4th Avenue, Pompano Beach. The public is invited; free admission.Saturday, January 22nd: Quilting display and demonstration, and a classic car show. 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Pompano Beach Green Market, Flagler Avenue & NE...
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Honoring the Gov
Broward County was named for Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, Florida’s governor from 1905-1909. During his term of office, Broward initiated the Everglades drainage project. The first canals that were supposed to draw the water from the Everglades began at the New River and ran to Lake Okeechobee. Other canals, such as the Hillsboro and Cypress followed soon thereafter.
So important were the...
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Pompano Beach High Rededicated
The ribbon-cutting for the new additions to Pompano Beach High School was held today. There were plenty of dignitaries from the school and the city in attendance, as well as a sizable group of “Beanpicker” alumni.
Pompano Beach Mayor John Rayson and “Beanpicker ‘52” Don Downie Following the speeches and ribbon-cutting (and release of white doves), a reception was...
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Revitalizing Historic Downtowns
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and the City of Ft. Pierce will host a workshop covering “the many facets of redevelopment and revitalization that can take place to bring a historic downtown back to life.”
Topics will include the Main Street program, streetscapes and beautification, developing a successful CRA and preservation of historic buildings. A tour of Ft....
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Our Jewish History
The Jewish Genealogical Society of Broward County has an informative timeline on Broward’s Jewish history.
Entries that relate to Pompano Beach include: 1928 — Abe Hirschman, arriving from St. Augustine, opens Bon-Ton Dry Goods Store, the first known Jewish owned businesses in Pompano.
1935 — Morris Hirschman establishes Moe’s Pharmacy in downtown Pompano.
1945 — A...
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Kester Cottages Open on Saturdays
The Historical Society’s two Kester Cottages will be open to the public every Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There is no admission charge.
Kester Cottages were named for the individual who had them built, William Kester.
The east cottage serves as a museum of local history, with exhibits on agriculture, businesses and Pompano schools, among others. The west cottage has been furnished...
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On This Date
On January 7, 1841, Company I, 3rd Artillery, United States Army engaged in fighting with Seminole Indians near Ft. Lauderdale. One enlisted man was wounded and subsequently died from his wounds on January 22.
(courtesy of Florida Historical Society)
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Pompano Beach Green Market
The Pompano Beach Green Market will be back in business this Saturday — January 8th — after two weeks off for the holidays. The Market will be open every Saturday through April 30th, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Located in Pompano Beach’s historic downtown, at the intersection of Flagler Avenue and NE 1st Street (just north of the Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway intersection),...
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A. W. Turner
In 1915 Broward County was formed out of portions of Dade and Palm Beach counties. Naturally, all of the normal governmental offices had to be filled, including the county’s chief law enforcement officer — the Sheriff. That position was filled by a Pompano resident.
The following is excerpted from William P. Cahill’s “The First Sheriffs of Broward County Florida: 1915 -...
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The Pompano Casino
The term “casino” was traditionally used to describe a building devoted to “social amusement,” not necessarily gambling. Many beachside structures in this area were called casinos (such as Fort Lauderdale’s Casino Pool). The Pompano Casino was located on the beach, on the south side of Atlantic Boulevard.
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Bank of Pompano Update
In the January 2, 2005, Sun-Sentinel, Lisa Huriash writes that the City of Pompano Beach may “sue itself” to prevent demolition of the historic Bank of Pompano building.
Actually, a lawsuit would be a last resort. It is hoped that the Pompano Beach Unsafe Structures Board will reconsider its May, 2004, demolition order in light of new information on the condition of the structure and...
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Charles Drew
Located on the western edge of Pompano Beach (1000 NW 31st Avenue) is Charles Drew Elementary School. Thousands of people pass the school every day, and probably few know the origins of the school’s name.
Charles Richard Drew achieved fame for inventing the concept of a blood bank. He created a system for the storing of blood plasma that revolutionized medical treatment. Drew was able...
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January Public Meeting
The Pompano Beach Historical Society’s January meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 19th, 7:00 PM at the Dick & Miriam Hood Center, 217 NE 4th Avenue, Pompano Beach.
The program will be given by Arthur Makenian, who served as the official Lighthouse Keeper of Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse Station from December 1998 through March 2002. Art contributed to the construction of...
