Breckinridge’s Retreat
Devoid of white settlers during the Civil War, South Florida played virtually no part in the nation’s great struggle. But its rugged coasts and hidden‑away rivers did provide for some…
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John Dolen
48 posts
John Dolen writes for several Fort Lauderdale area publications. Previously, he was an editor and supervisor for 27 years at the Sun-Sentinel newspaper.
The Hoosier Hospital
The Indianapolis entrepreneur had it all – wealth, fame and acclaim. That’s why a trip here in 1923 when he became seriously ill made such headlines. The Fort Lauderdale Herald…
Leading From the Front
Time after time, people thought they could get Dr. Von Delaney Mizell to back down. They were never right. Years before he co-founded Fort Lauderdale’s first black hospital or ran…
Forged in Fire
Early Fort Lauderdale leaders didn’t bother with a fire department – until a devastating fire changed their thinking. When you are building a small city with businesses, banks, a hotel,…
Landmark Marlin
Today, Fort Lauderdale is known as a gay-friendly tourist destination. But when the Marlin Beach Hotel opened in 1972, it made powerful enemies. Whether in brochures, online searches or even…
All Donations Welcome
Before the Stranahans, the Cooleys or Maj. Lauderdale’s soldiers, Frankee Lewis made a life along the New River. Fort Lauderdale history is filled with remarkable women pioneers: women such as…
Porky’s Muse
One of cinema’s most legendarily raunchy teen comedies was inspired by a filmmaker’s formative years in 1950s Fort Lauderdale. It’s pretty remarkable that the director of A Christmas Story –…
Welcome to Andytown
Andytown was never a town and hasn’t been anything since the late ’70s. But try telling that to the internet. Search the internet for the city of Andytown and you…
In the Club
Robert Hayes Gore Sr.’s Governors Club played host to powerful people with interesting stories – including the man who owned the place. The Wilmar, Fort Lauderdale’s second grand hotel after…
A Leader and a Fighter
Often called the Mother of Fort Lauderdale, Ivy Stranahan used her position and clout to preserve natural Florida and help those who lacked power – in particular, the Seminoles. Think…