Like many Sun Belt cities, Fort Lauderdale has experienced phenomenal growth over the past several decades. Once a wilderness home for the Seminole Indians and a few hardy pioneers, the small community grew up around Frank Stranahan's successful trading post, a convenient stop for hunters, fishermen, and sightseers preparing to head into the Everglades. But much more was in store for this rugged outback camp. Surveying Fort Lauderdale's fascinating history chronologically, this pictorial retrospective begins with the 1890s, a time when this part of the country was still part of America's frontier, isolated and wild. With the coming of the railroad and the twentieth century, an agricultural economy developed, and, soon, the Florida land boom would bring thousands of new settlers to the area. Fort Lauderdale's glistening beaches and comfortable climate earned the city an early reputation as a tourist town and, eventually, as a Spring Break mecca.

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, finds itself on many Top Ten lists. It's a great place to live, work, and play. A small city, it contains a major seaport and cruise terminal, a bustling international airport, a fabulous beach, a world-class yacht center, an inviting riverfront, a dynamic business community, plus an array of cultural and entertainment options. In Tom Bryan and Other Movers and Shapers of Early Fort Lauderdale, author Keith D. Mitzner details the origins, history, and qualities of Fort Lauderdale beginning with the key player Tom Bryan. Tom Bryan touched nearly every aspect of Ft. Lauderdale development, sometimes acting alone, but more often in a group. Ed King was also a trailblazer who built key structures and boats and was active in dredging local waterways. T

A first edition, Insiders' Guide to Greater Fort Lauderdale is the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information to this beautiful Florida region. Written by a local (and true insider), this guide offers a personal and practical perspective of Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding environs.