Florida’s First Tunnel
A passionate battle ensued in the 1950s over Fort Lauderdale’s infamous tunnel. For those of us who drive in downtown Fort Lauderdale these days, the question is, “When will they…
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John Dolen
102 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.
Who Were the Black Seminoles?
We are a city whose history was forged in wars with the Seminole Tribe, followed by a peaceful coexistence. Today, that tribe has blossomed into a thriving community that provides…
Dreammakers and Heartbreakers
Visionary land developers began South Florida’s boom-and-bust real estate cycles well over a century ago. Things didn’t always go as planned. America’s homespun philosopher Will Rogers put it in a…
Woody’s Way
Second of two parts. In the late 1950s, well over 60 years ago, there was a place called the 4 O’Clock Club in Fort Lauderdale. Comedy legend Woody Woodbury remembers…
A City at War
World War II wasn’t fought in Fort Lauderdale – but it got closer than you might think. It was the winter of 1939, and Fort Lauderdale’s merchants and hoteliers had…
The Tale of Fort Liquordale
Over a century ago, the nickname “Fort Liquordale” was born. When I came to this city over 40 years ago, it wasn’t long before I heard the moniker “Fort Liquordale.”…
Border Patrol
Of all the strange bits of our history – and we have seen a lot over the years of this column – few top the time that Florida state troopers…
Bahamian Rhapsody
Our island neighbor’s contributions to Fort Lauderdale often fly under the radar, but they add up to a sweet song. My wife and I were talking about the Bahamas recently…
A Lasting Lauderdale Legacy
It’s no secret that some early Fort Lauderdale historical figures faced adversity. But from hardships came amazing contributions to today’s community. One such scourge on our history came in the…
Woody’s Way
If there were such a thing as a Fort Lauderdale Entertainers Hall of Fame, Woody Woodbury would be the top inductee. The star of stage and screen – the stage…