Timeline of Broward County
See Greater Fort Lauderdale transform before your eyes, from the breakout success of Where the Boys Are in the 60s and the peak of Spring Break in the 80s to the luxury hotels, booming downtown district and diverse community of the new millennium.
Alligator Wrestling, Dania Beach
Alligator Wrestling, Dania Beach
Spring Break Phenomenon
1956 Chevy Bel Air, Spring Break on Fort Lauderdale Beach
Jai Alai, Dania Beach
Dania Jai Alai
Elbo Room
World's famous Elbo Room packs in the crowds.
Where the Boys Are
Filmed locally in Fort Lauderdale and premieres in December at the Gateway Theatre.
Spring Break
50,000 college students invade local beaches in the "Spring Break" phenomenon.
The Original Yankee Clipper
Marilyn Monroe visits the Yankee Clipper Hotel.
Mai-Kai Mystery Girl
The Mai-Kai Mystery Girl serves Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show."
Broward International Airport
Broward International Airport is renamed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame aquatic complex replaces the Fort Lauderdale Casino Pool.
Pier Sixty-Six Hotel
The Pier Sixty-Six Hotel's 66-spire tower is built.
The Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Elizabeth comes to Port Everglades as a tourist attraction.
Holiday Park
Holiday Park becomes a center of tennis activity, attracting the state's best players including a young Chris Evert.
I-95
I-95 is completed and the population influx shifts west.
Sawgrass Recreational Park
Sawgrass Recreational Park becomes a one-boat airboat attraction.
Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse
Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse is added to the historical registry.
Water Taxi
The Water Taxi arrives in Fort Lauderdale.
The Galleria Fort Lauderdale Mall
The Galleria Fort Lauderdale Mall opens to the public adjacent from the beach.
Winterfest Boat Parade
The Winterfest Boat Parade begins in Fort Lauderdale, gaining national television recognition.
Spring Breakers
350,000 Spring Breakers invade Fort Lauderdale.
Beach Wave Wall
Fort Lauderdale's famous Beach Wave Wall is constructed on A1A.
Museum of Art
Fort Lauderdale's Museum of Art moves to a new building at Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue.
Sawgrass Mills
Sawgrass Mills opens in Sunrise, eventually becoming the largest single-story outlet mall in the U.S.
Riverwalk
First section of Riverwalk completed
Butterfly Garden
Butterfly Garden and Tram Station at Flamingo Gardens
Convention Center Opens
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center opens.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts opens with The Phantom of the Opera.
Coral Springs Aquatic Center Opens
Coral Springs Aquatic Center Opens
Hollywood Arts & Culture Center
Hollywood Arts & Culture Center in downtown Hollywood.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines becomes a "hometown airline," moving to FLL.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers move to Broward County.
Miramar Cultural Center
Miramar Cultural Center breaks ground, created to celebrate local creativity and diversity.
African-American Research Library & Cultural Center
The African-American Research Library & Cultural Center opens as one of the only three of its kind in the nation.
Goodyear Blimps "Spirit of Innovation"
Goodyear Blimps "Spirit of Innovation" takes its first flight in Pompano Beach.
Westfield Mall
Newly renovated Broward Mall becomes "Westfield Mall."
Central Broward Regional Park and Central Broward Stadium
Central Broward Regional Park and Central Broward Stadium opens in Lauderhill, drawing international cricket fans.
Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
Broadwalk becomes part of Florida East Coast Greenway, which is part of the national East Coast Greenway, an urban trail network that extends from Key West to Maine.
National Car Rental Center
National Car Rental Center becomes the BB&T Center in Sunrise.
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort breaks ground on the Hollywood Broadwalk.
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show celebrates its 62nd anniversary, Oct 27-31.
South Runway at FLL
The South Runway at FLL opens, paving the way for more domestic and international carriers such as Emirates Airlines.
Broward County Centennial Celebration
Broward County celebrates 100.
Dr. Von D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
John U. Lloyd State Park is renamed for civil rights activists, becoming "Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park."
Riptide Music Festival
The very first Riptide Music Festival comes to Fort Lauderdale beach, now a Broward County Signature event.
FATVillage
The first FATVillage Artwalk takes place in Flagler Village.
Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Center
The nearly twelve-acre Young Circle in the heart of downtown Hollywood has been transformed into a regional, interactive ArtsPark where all Broward County residents and visitors may partake in arts and cultural activities day and night.
World AIDS Museum & Educational Center
World AIDS Museum & Educational Center opens first AIDS museum in the world in Wilton Manors.
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach hosts the first running of the Pegasus World Cup.
Sistrunk Boulevard
Sistrunk Boulevard undergoes a revitalization period.
Greater Together
The EMMY award-winning "Greater Together" campaign launches.
Brightline/Virgin Train
The Brightline/Virgin Train opens to the public.
Guitar Hotel
The Guitar Hotel opens at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.
Convention Center Expansion
The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center Expansion begins.
Diplomat Beach Resort
The Diplomat Beach Resort completes a $100 million renovation.