We explored old Lauderdale today and its birthplace by the New River. There is no Ft. Lauderdale surviving today but it did exist in the 1830’s when Major William Lauderdale was deployed here in the 1830’s against the Seminoles. His troops were not here long as the Seminoles walked away from the conflict, and also refused to sign a peace treaty and remain the only Native Americans to do so.
The modern Ft. Lauderdale was first incubated here by Frank Stanahan who developed a small ferry line here in the 1890’s and development got an impetus from the Flagler RR in the 1900’s. In 1900, there were 52 people counted in the Census and the land was part of the Everglades complete with swamps, insects, large game, snakes and fish. These were hardy pioneers. Frank and Ivy Stanahan built their home here as well as a trading post, post office, bank and school.
Some say that the house is haunted. Ivy’s brother, Harold, died in this bedroom and Frank himself committed suicide by throwing himself off the river dock as he was despondent about losing everything in the Depression. His wife, Ivy, continued to live until her 90’s and was a real survivor channeling her energy into educating the Seminoles, writing poetry, practicing yoga, and managing to save the family home by moving into tight 3rd floor quarters and renting out the rest as a restaurant. Quite a story given our current economic uncertainties.
We were walking back through the New River marina when we saw an AGLCA burgee on “Biddi and the Beast” parked alongside the million dollar boats. Dan joked that his boat looked like their dinghy. We last saw Dan and Biddi at Clearwater Beach. We knocked on their boat and were thrilled that they were at home. We caught up with each other about all our adventures. They will be heading north to attend the Rendezvous in Charleston. Dan met a boater in Key West who gave him recommendations about marinas between FL and SC and Dan shared these with us. Sharing—that is what is so great about looping.
The modern Ft. Lauderdale was first incubated here by Frank Stanahan who developed a small ferry line here in the 1890’s and development got an impetus from the Flagler RR in the 1900’s. In 1900, there were 52 people counted in the Census and the land was part of the Everglades complete with swamps, insects, large game, snakes and fish. These were hardy pioneers. Frank and Ivy Stanahan built their home here as well as a trading post, post office, bank and school.
Some say that the house is haunted. Ivy’s brother, Harold, died in this bedroom and Frank himself committed suicide by throwing himself off the river dock as he was despondent about losing everything in the Depression. His wife, Ivy, continued to live until her 90’s and was a real survivor channeling her energy into educating the Seminoles, writing poetry, practicing yoga, and managing to save the family home by moving into tight 3rd floor quarters and renting out the rest as a restaurant. Quite a story given our current economic uncertainties.
We were walking back through the New River marina when we saw an AGLCA burgee on “Biddi and the Beast” parked alongside the million dollar boats. Dan joked that his boat looked like their dinghy. We last saw Dan and Biddi at Clearwater Beach. We knocked on their boat and were thrilled that they were at home. We caught up with each other about all our adventures. They will be heading north to attend the Rendezvous in Charleston. Dan met a boater in Key West who gave him recommendations about marinas between FL and SC and Dan shared these with us. Sharing—that is what is so great about looping.
