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.

1950
Alligator Wrestling
Alligator Wrestling, Dania Beach

Alligator Wrestling, Dania Beach

1956
Chevy Bel Air
Spring Break Phenomenon

1956 Chevy Bel Air, Spring Break on Fort Lauderdale Beach

1959
Jai Alai
Jai Alai, Dania Beach

Dania Jai Alai

1960
Elbo Room
Elbo Room

World's famous Elbo Room packs in the crowds.

1960
Where the Boys Are
Where the Boys Are

Filmed locally in Fort Lauderdale and premieres in December at the Gateway Theatre.

1961
Spring Break
Spring Break

50,000 college students invade local beaches in the "Spring Break" phenomenon.

1961
Marilyn Monroe
The Original Yankee Clipper

Marilyn Monroe visits the Yankee Clipper Hotel.

1962
Mai-Kai Mystery Girl
Mai-Kai Mystery Girl

The Mai-Kai Mystery Girl serves Johnny Carson on "The Tonight Show."

1963
Broward International Airport
Broward International Airport

Broward International Airport is renamed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

1965
Int'l Swimming Hall of Fame
International Swimming Hall of Fame

The International Swimming Hall of Fame aquatic complex replaces the Fort Lauderdale Casino Pool.

1965
Pier Sixty-Six Hotel
Pier Sixty-Six Hotel

The Pier Sixty-Six Hotel's 66-spire tower is built.

1968
Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Elizabeth

The Queen Elizabeth comes to Port Everglades as a tourist attraction.

1969
Holiday Park
Holiday Park

Holiday Park becomes a center of tennis activity, attracting the state's best players including a young Chris Evert.

1976
I-95
I-95

I-95 is completed and the population influx shifts west.

1978
Sawgrass Rec park
Sawgrass Recreational Park

Sawgrass Recreational Park becomes a one-boat airboat attraction.