Editing Plantation, Florida (section)

==History==
=== Land acquisition and drainage (1855–1930) ===
Before the start of the 20th century, the area that became Plantation was part of the [[Everglades]] wetlands, regularly covered by 2–3 feet of water.<ref name=":8" /> In 1855, Florida state passed the Internal Improvement Act and established the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, the trustees of which act as a government agency to oversee the management, sale, and development of state land.<ref name=":9">{{Cite book|url=http://sofia.usgs.gov/memorials/dovell|title=A History of the Everglades of Florida|last=Dovell|first=Junius Elmore|publisher=Chapel Hill|year=1947|pages=176–231, 367–374, 421–424, 464–465, 491–524}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-history/a-brief-history/florida-development/|title=Florida Development|website=Florida Department of State|access-date=2018-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://digitalcollections.fiu.edu/iif/about.htm|title=Minutes of the Board of Trustees Internal Improvement Fund|website=Florida International University Libraries|access-date=2018-09-26}}</ref> In 1897, the [[United States Department of the Interior|Interior Department]] submitted 2.9 million acres to the Florida Land Office; however, the submission was revoked the following year, due to fears it would "impinge upon the rights and interests of the [[Seminole]] Tribes."<ref name=":9" /> The Seminole people regularly used the area for hunting, fishing, and camping, and also used the nearby [[Pine Island Ridge, Florida|Pine Island Ridge]] as a headquarters during the second and third [[Seminole Wars]].<ref name=":8" />

In 1899, Florida Governor [[William Sherman Jennings]] began an initiative to drain the Everglades. To establish Florida's entitlement to the land, Jennings obtained a new patent (known as the 'Everglades Patent') for land "aggregating 2,862,280 acres."<ref name=":9" /> Following his election in 1905, Jennings' successor, [[Napoleon B. Broward|Napoleon Bonaparte Broward]] appointed Jennings as general counsel of the Internal Improvement Fund and continued the initiative for complete [[drainage]] of the Everglades (which was a core theme of his election campaign). Broward described the drainage as a duty of the trustees, and promised to create an "Empire of the Everglades".<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/browa|title=Everglades: Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Papers|website=University of Florida Digital Collections|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":8" />

The first attempts to drain the Everglades began in 1906, with the building and launching of two [[Dredging|dredges]] into the [[New River (Broward County, Florida)|New River]]: ''The Okeechobee'' (commanded by Captain Walter S. Holloway of the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|US Army Corps of Engineers]]) began cutting from the river's south fork (establishing the South New River Canal), and ''The Everglades'' began cutting from the north fork up to [[Lake Okeechobee]] (establishing the North New River Canal).<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Megna |first1=Ralph J. |last2=Currie |first2=Patrick R. |date=1978-09-01 |title=Draining the Everglades |url=http://journals.fcla.edu/browardlegacy/article/view/79098 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515223440/http://journals.fcla.edu/browardlegacy/article/download/79098/76460 |archive-date=May 15, 2018 |journal=Broward Legacy |language=en |volume=2 |issue=3–4 |pages=29}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> The first waterway opened after the drainage attempts were named The Holloway Canal, after Captain Holloway.<ref name=":8" />

Following a meeting at the [[1908 Democratic National Convention]], Broward and Jennings established a deal with [[Richard "Dicky" J. Bolles|Richard 'Dicky' J. Bolles]]: The fund trustees granted Bolles {{convert|500000|acre|km2}} of overflowed state lands at $2 per acre, with an agreement for the State to use 50% of the $1 million proceeds purely for drainage and reclamation, and another agreement to establish 5 main canals. Following this, Bolles founded the Florida Fruit Lands Company, becoming the Everglades' first private developer.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://everglades.fiu.edu/reclaim/bios/bolles.htm|title=Everglades Biographies - Richard 'Dicky' J. Bolles|last=Clement|first=Gail|website=FIU Libraries|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.palmbeachpast.org/2010/11/|title=West Boca's Secret – It was to have been Farmville…except for that water thing…|last=Pedersen|first=Ginger|date=2010-11-28|website=Palm Beach Past|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref>

The Everglades Plantation Company was established in January 1909, following entry into a 2-year contract with the Internal Improvement Fund trustees by Adam A. Boggs (attorney and vice president of the Miami Bank and Trust Company) and A.B. Sanders (engineer and later president of the Miami Engineering and Construction Company) to create a rice [[Plantations in the American South|plantation]] in the Everglades.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last=Knetsch|first=Joe|date=1990-04-30|title=The Broward Rice Plantation: Dream or Simply Speculation?|url=http://fau.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A3486/datastream/OBJ/view/Broward_Legacy__Volume_13__Winter_Spring_1990___Number_1_and_2.pdf|journal=Broward Legacy|volume=13|pages=2–10|via=Florida Atlantic University Digital Library}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=EntityName&directionType=Initial&searchNameOrder=EVERGLADESPLANTATION%208001350&aggregateId=forp-800135-82a81dcf-297d-4e0f-abae-7c8e4d0edddb&searchTerm=everglades%20plantation&listNameOrder=EVERGLADESPLANTATION%208001350|title=Detail by Entity Name: The Everglades Plantation Company|website=Florida Department of State - Division of Corporations|language=en|access-date=2018-10-17}}</ref> The agreement enabled Boggs & Sanders to rent a significant amount of land around the (then work-in-progress) North New River Canal, and also subsequently purchase the land for between $3 and $15 per acre.<ref name=":12" />

It was later discovered that the area leased to Boggs & Sanders already belonged to Dicky Bolles, as part of the 500,000 acres he had purchased; however, the Everglades Plantation Company was able to retain the land, despite Bolles' claims.<ref name=":12" /> Sanders led further reclamation efforts for the area, including the digging of 60 miles of ditches.<ref name=":12" /> Boggs & Sanders were also granted extensions to their 2-year contract, on the grounds that the land remained underwater.<ref name=":12" />

In 1911, Bolles held a land lottery (known as the Progresso Land Auction) at $20–24 per acre, granting residential lots in the Town of Progresso (now the area known as [[Wilton Manors, Florida|Wilton Manors]]) to anyone purchasing farmland of five acres or more in the drainage land;''<ref name=":3" />''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-03-19/news/sfl-progresso-land-maps-ugc-20110319_1_land-sale-port-everglades-drainage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014339/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-03-19/news/sfl-progresso-land-maps-ugc-20110319_1_land-sale-port-everglades-drainage|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2018|title=The Progresso land sale of 100 years ago|last=Scott|first=Patrick|date=2011-03-19|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yymmDQhYmzgC|title=The Everglades: River of Grass|last=Douglas|first=Marjory Stoneman|date=2007|publisher=Pineapple Press Inc|isbn=9781561643943|language=en}}</ref> however, no auction actually took place and the purchased land remained under water. As a result, a lawsuit was brought against Bolles.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lGRGPgAACAAJ|title=Up for Grabs: A Trip Through Time and Space in the Sunshine State|last=Rothchild|first=John|date=2000-12-13|publisher=University Press of Florida|isbn=9780813018294|language=en}}</ref>

In 1912, the North New River Canal opened,<ref name=":9" /> and the Sewell Lock (also known as Lock No.1), the first lock in Florida, and one of the older remaining structures in Broward County, was built on it, just outside of what is now Plantation. The lock enabled access between the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee by water.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-12-13/news/9203060340_1_canal-water-level-historic-places|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925065111/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1992-12-13/news/9203060340_1_canal-water-level-historic-places|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2018|title=Sewell Lock A Symbol Of An Earlier Era Historic Structure On Canal Was Crucial To Transportation|last=Roth|first=Patti|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-24|publication-date=1992-12-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broward.org/History/NationalRegister/Pages/LockNo1NorthNewRiverCanal.aspx|title=Lock No. 1 North New River Canal|website=www.broward.org|language=en-us|access-date=2018-09-24}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

The lawsuit against Bolles was settled in November 1913, with Bolles retaining the $1.4 million already received, but prohibiting any further collection until the land was drained and surveyed. Bolles was also arrested in December of that year but was subsequently found innocent.<ref name=":5" />

Drainage of the land largely failed, with most of it reverting to the state for taxes; however, two local farmers, O. L Daniel and Dewey Hawkins began buying it, acquiring approximately 6,000 acres and 4,000 acres respectively.''<ref name=":3" />''

In the years following their original agreement, contract negotiation escalated into legal battles between the Everglades Plantation Company and the Internal Improvement Trustees. These disputes ended in 1914, in the company's favor. The Trustees no longer insisted on the continuation of the rice plantation attempts and, from this point, the company focused primarily on land sales.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite journal|date=1913-12-13|title=Florida Crop News|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i8JKAQAAMAAJ|journal=Fruit Trade Journal and Produce Record|volume=50|pages=136}}</ref>

Broward County (originally planned under the name Everglades County but ultimately named after former governor Broward) was created by the Florida legislature in 1915 by combining portions of Dade County and Palm Beach County.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.floridahistorynetwork.com/april-30-1915---broward-county-created-named-after-former-governor.html|title=On this day in Florida history - April 30, 1915 - Broward County created, named after former governor|website=Florida History Network|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

Driven by the success of the drainage projects, the [[Florida land boom of the 1920s|Florida Land Boom]] took place between 1920 and 1925, seeing rapid growth in population and land sales. The boom reached its peak in the fall of 1925 and subsequently collapsed in 1926.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":9" />

The land boom was closely followed by two severe hurricanes striking the area, significantly impacting the established communities and killing thousands.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sfwmd.gov/who-we-are/history|title=History {{!}} South Florida Water Management District|website=www.sfwmd.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-09-26}}</ref><ref name=":9" /> The first, in September 1926 (known as the [[1926 Miami hurricane]]), reached wind speeds of 140 miles per hour, and the second, in September 1928 (known as the [[1928 Okeechobee hurricane]]), reached wind speeds of 135 miles per hour.<ref name=":9" /> In response, additional flood control laws were established, and millions of additional dollars were spent on drainage efforts across the Everglades in the subsequent decades.<ref name=":9" />

=== Initial development (1931–1952) ===
Future Plantation founder, Frederick C. Peters, the millionaire heir to a shoe business, moved to Goulds, Florida in 1931 (following doctor's advice to seek a warmer climate for his son), beginning both potato and cattle businesses;<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":26">{{Cite news|last=Milarsky|first=Jeremy|date=2003-04-20|title=50 Years Ago, Plantation Took Root|language=en|work=South Florida Sun Sentinel|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-04-20/news/0304190293_1_plantation-coastal-cities-broward-county|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014558/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-04-20/news/0304190293_1_plantation-coastal-cities-broward-county|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2018|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/franks-plantation-6331334|title=Frank's Plantation|last=Norman|first=Bob|date=1999-04-01|work=New Times Broward-Palm Beach|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref> however, in 1939, Peters received advice from Stephan Zacher (a ranch-owner) to find better land for his cattle in [[Davie, Florida]].<ref name=":4" /> With most large tracts of land in Davie already established as groves, Peters (following extensive testing by the [[Natural Resources Conservation Service|United States Soil Conservation Service]]) purchased {{convert|10000|acre|km2}} further north for approximately $10–25 per acre, financed with a $350,000 mortgage.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Clark|first=Chauncey Robert Jr.|date=1979-12-01|title=Plantation Genesis: 1946-49|url=http://journals.fcla.edu/browardlegacy/article/view/79234|journal=Broward Legacy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515005203/http://journals.fcla.edu/browardlegacy/article/download/79234/76579 |archive-date=May 15, 2018|language=en|volume=3|issue=3–4|pages=38}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> The land was previously owned by Dewey Hawkins (who held the majority) and by Boggs' and Sanders' Everglades Plantation Company.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":4" />

With the aim to create a farming-cooperative-based, rural alternative to suburban Dade Country, Peters built the city's first ranch buildings, which were designed by Stephan Zacher.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> In 1942, he had Leslie E. Bitting (son of Ben Bitting, who worked at Peters' previous Dade County farm) begin moving Peters' cattle to the area, and look after the building.''<ref name=":3" />''

Between 1944 and 1945, Peters shifted from the idea of building a farming cooperative, hiring architect [[Russell Pancoast]] to assist with the creation of the city master plan, and C. Kay Davis to establish a water control system.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> In 1946, a special-purpose local government, named the Old Plantation Water Control District, was also chartered by the state (led by civil engineer John Brendla) to commence drainage of the area previously intended for plantation development, and oversee its secondary canals.''<ref name=":3" />''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.opwcd.org/faq-s.html|title=FAQ's|website=Old Plantation Water Control District|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/FL/Broward_County/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH30SPDI_ARTXOLPLWACODI|title=Municode Library - Broward County, Florida|website=Municode|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref>

Chauncey Clark Jr. (originally from Michigan, but living in Miami Beach) was told by Peters that, in exchange for an effective development plan, Peters would provide land options and complete drainage & access as needed.<ref name=":4" /> Clark Jr.'s plan for 40 acre ranches, clubs, golf courses and an airfield failed to attract investment, but his father, Chauncey Clark Sr., established an alternative plan for single-acre lots with 2-bedroom houses and a 20-tree orchard in each.<ref name=":4" /> Miami's Robert Law Weed designed the first homes, which were then built in 1947, on East Acre Drive under the name Plantation Homes Inc.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/272289694/|title=Plantation Keeps Village Flavor Despite Progress|work=Fort Lauderdale News|access-date=2018-09-24|publication-date=1963-05-10|pages=42, 44–45|language=en}}</ref> The development's name (which went on to become the name of the entire city) came from that by which the area had become known, including its Water Control District subdivision, 'Plantation'.<ref name=":12" />

Clark's advertising referred to Plantation as "the Dream City" with "Rich Living at Small Cost" and Peters' advertising described "A Full Acre with Every Home."''<ref name=":3" />''<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> A two-bedroom home with an acre of land and 20 fruit trees was sold for $10,241, and the property was valued at $200 per acre;''<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":8" />'' however, early into construction, many of the homes were destroyed by flooding, caused by 93 consecutive days of rain and two hurricanes.''<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" />''<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1989-05-23/news/8901260869_1_plantation-library-plantation-historical-society-city-hall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925025328/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1989-05-23/news/8901260869_1_plantation-library-plantation-historical-society-city-hall|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2018|title=Firm Honors Plantation's Founding Families|last=Warmbir|first=Steven|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-24|publication-date=1989-05-23|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":11" /> Despite the setbacks, 15 houses were under construction at the time the hurricanes passed.''<ref name=":4" />'' Clark repaired and restored all of the homes damaged at his own personal expense.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":2" /> During this same year, road-builder Finley Smith began plans to expand Broward Boulevard from State Road 7 to the Holloway Canal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/236131151/|title=West's rapid growth a recent phenomenon|last=Erickson|first=Jim|date=1985-05-03|work=Fort Lauderdale News|access-date=2018-10-01|page=117|language=en}}</ref>''<ref name=":4" />''

In 1948, Chauncey Clark Jr.'s home was the first completed, and Clark moved into the house with his family.''<ref name=":4" />'' Construction operations expanded, alongside a dedicated sales group, with approximately three houses being completed and sold per week.''<ref name=":4" />'' A total of approximately 120 homes were built that year,''<ref name=":3" />'' and the city's population grew to 30 families in size.''<ref name=":4" />'' That year, Ann Carter (wife of Claude E, Carter) also gave birth to Eugene Carter, the first child born in the city.''<ref name=":3" />''<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" /> 1948 also saw the completion of new dikes and a pumping station on the East Holloway Canal,''<ref name=":4" />'' and formation of The Plantation Community Church (which held its first services in the construction trailer office of Frederick Peters).<ref name=":8" />

In September and October 1948, two hurricanes impacted the area, causing flooding and the breakage of a work-in-progress dike during the second hurricane.''<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" />'' Rapid repairs and extensions to the dikes, new [[cofferdam]]s, and pumping were used to end the flooding;''<ref name=":4" />'' however, house sales halted in 1949 due to the repeated flooding. Although work continued on new roads, dikes, and houses, Clark's Plantation Homes Inc. was dissolved, and the assets went to Frederick C. Peters.''<ref name=":4" />''

1949 also saw the opening of Plantation Pumping Station No. 2 (allowing the pumping of 126 million gallons per day into the North New River Canal),<ref name=":8" /> the founding of the Plantation Women's Club (by Mrs. Helen Hoffman),<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" /> and the founding of the Plantation Homeowners' organization (by Dr. Abram Hoffman).<ref name=":8" /> At this time, there were 40 occupied homes in the area.<ref name=":8" />

1950 then saw the completion of the Plantation Golf Course and Country Club, built with the intent to encourage the westward extension of Broward Boulevard.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-plantation-a-look-back-20170207-photogallery.html|title=A look at Plantation, from the early 1900s to today|last=Huriash|first=Lisa|work=Sun Sentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

=== City incorporation (1953–1963) ===
The city of Plantation was incorporated as a city on April 23, 1953<ref name=":26" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Congress|first=United States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DPStQ7TLE5AC|title=Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 113th Congress - First Session|publisher=United States Government Publishing Office|year=2012|volume=159|location=Washington|pages=5156}}</ref> (with a population of 300<ref name=":6" /> and a budget of less than $2,000 at the time<ref name=":8" />). The Plantation Homeowners Association appointed Ellsworth D. Gage (then president of the Homeowners' Association) as the city's first Mayor, with Paul Stoner, Winslow Freeman, George Bartold, Walter Bartels, and Wilfred J. Perry Lohman elected to the City Council;<ref name=":8" /> however, none of these early city officials took any salary from the position.<ref name=":8" /> A building originally intended as a community center, but being used as a warehouse, was used for the first city council meeting, city hall, fire station, and police station. This building, originally known as the Hoffman Building, is now the kitchen area of Deicke Auditorium.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.plantation.org/Plantation/history.html|title=History of Plantation|work=City of Plantation|access-date=2018-10-16|language=en-US|archive-date=February 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228093801/http://www.plantation.org/Plantation/history.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pccflorida.org/history/|title=History|website=Plantation Community Church|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-17}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

On August 1, 1954, the ''Miami Herald'' publicly unveiled the city plan, calling Plantation "The City of the Future".<ref name=":6" />

In 1955, S. Robinson Estey was elected as the city's second mayor (and the first elected to the position).<ref name=":8" /> Plantation Police Dept. was organized in the same year, with the first police car and officer (Henry C. 'Hank' Donath), who ran the department alone for several years, on call 24 hours per day.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-05-30/news/0305291137_1_plantation-first-house-carlyn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014330/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2003-05-30/news/0305291137_1_plantation-first-house-carlyn|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2018|title=H. Donath, First Plantation Chief|last=Milarsky|first=Jeremy|date=2003-05-30|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref> At that time, the city population remained less than 800 people.<ref name=":2" />

The city's fire department's barbecue fundraiser began in 1956 and remains one of the city's annual traditions.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-plantation-fire-bbq-20151025-story.html|title=Plantation fire dept. plans for 59th barbecue|last=Huriash|first=Lisa J.|date=2015-10-23|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-10-12|language=en-US}}</ref> Plantation's Volunteer Fire Dept. was subsequently formed in 1957, with Richard Stephenson appointed as the first Fire Chief.<ref name=":8" /> The city's first industrial plant (Airpax Products, Co.) opened on Sunrise Blvd in 1957 (in what is now Plantation Technology Park),<ref name=":8" /> as did Plantation Community Church's first sanctuary (now known as Missions Prayer Chapel)<ref name=":8" /> and the Sunshine State Parkway (now known as [[Florida's Turnpike]]), which connected Miami and Fort Pierce, Florida.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2015/10/09/flashback-friday-sunshine-state-parkway-in-the-early-1960s/|title=Flashback Friday: Sunshine State Parkway in the early 1960s|date=2015-10-09|work=The Florida Squeeze|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en-US}}</ref> By 1958, construction was completed on the City Hall.<ref name=":7" /> A fire station was built on Broward Boulevard, with Frederick T. Peters (son of Frederick C. Peters) appointed as the city's fire chief.<ref name=":6" />

Plantation's budget had grown to over $170,000 by 1959.<ref name=":8" /> That year, the city's first school was dedicated: Berenice Todd Peters Elementary School (named after the wife of city founder Frederick C. Peters;<ref name=":8" /> known today as Peters Elementary) was a 24-classroom, 725-child school, built on 10 acres of land given by Frederick Peters.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> Hank Donath was appointed as the city's first police chief, with the operating costs of the police department covered by cigarette taxes.<ref name=":8" />

In 1960, the city adopted the slogan "The Dream City", including matching license plates.<ref name=":8" />

The Plantation Library, based out of Peters Elementary School, was founded in 1961, with Helen B. Hoffman as chairwoman and members of the Plantation Woman's Club as volunteer workers.<ref name=":8" /> In 1962, Edwin Deicke donated $100,000 to the city for expanding and renovating the Hoffman Building (which was renamed to the Deicke Auditorium in 1973).<ref name=":2" /> Also in 1962, the city's chamber of commerce was founded and the Doctors General Hospital was opened.<ref name=":8" />

The city's population reached 8,500 in 1963,''<ref name=":3" />'' and its original motto "From the Wilderness, This City" was made official, with the adoption of a corresponding city seal (designed by Mayor Robinson Estey and architect A.T. Hardel). The Latin translation of this motto was found to include a spelling error; however, future mayor, Frank Veltri opted not to change it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-06-04/news/9606030493_1_latin-city-council-meetings-seal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518073653/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-06-04/news/9606030493_1_latin-city-council-meetings-seal|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 18, 2015|title=History Misspells Itself In Plantation Seal's Latin Motto|last=Cho|first=Janet H.|date=1996-06-04|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref> The city's community center, designed by original city master plan architect [[Russell Pancoast]], was built in 1963, becoming the site of the first city library (which had been housed in Peters Elementary).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2012-01-29-fl-plantation-community-center-20120128-story.html|title=What will remain of Plantation community center up in the air|last=Huriash|first=Lisa|date=2012-01-29|website=Sun Sentinel|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

=== Gulfstream developments (1964–1979) ===
Following the death of Frederick C. Peters in July 1964, the Peters family sold {{convert|5400|acre|km2}} of undeveloped land west of University Drive (originally named Annapu Road<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/271753592/|title=$1.7 Millions Set For Roads|date=1964-03-25|work=Fort Lauderdale News|access-date=2019-02-04|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|page=7}}</ref><ref name=":6" />) at approximately $3,000 per acre to the Gulfstream Land Development Company, led by president John H. Cleary.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> The land is purchased for the development of the Jacaranda community, the intent of which was to build an equivalent to [[Coral Gables, Florida|Coral Gables]] in Broward County.<ref name=":8" />

Other expansions during this time included Plantation Elementary School in 1965,<ref name=":8" /> The Florida Air Academy in 1969,<ref name=":8" /> Plantation High School (the city's first high school)<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> and Plantation General Hospital (at the time, a 264-bed hospital) in 1966,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-11-08/news/9102150552_1_264-bed-hospital-plantation-general-hospital-nursing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014556/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-11-08/news/9102150552_1_264-bed-hospital-plantation-general-hospital-nursing|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2018|title=Plantation Hospital Looks at Its History During Anniversary|last=Hopkins|first=Mary|date=1991-11-08|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> and a facility for the telecommunications company [[Motorola]] in 1969.<ref name=":8" />

The city's population reached 23,523 by 1970,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://population.us/fl/plantation/|title=Plantation, FL population|website=Population.us|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref> and in 1972, a $1.03 million construction bid was accepted for a new city hall, alongside groundbreaking for construction of the Deicke Auditorium.<ref name=":7" />

Plantation Acres (which is designated a Special Public Interest Rural District to protect the natural landscape<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://library.municode.com/FL/plantation/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH27ZO_ARTVIIDIRE_DIV26SPSPPUINDI_SDBSPLACRUDI|title=Municode Library - Plantation, FL|website=Municode|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref>) and Melaleuca Isles were annexed into Plantation in 1973.<ref name=":8" /> Deicke Auditorium and the new Plantation City Hall were dedicated in May and December of that year respectively.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /> Also in 1973, the Gulfstream consortium acquired the remaining land from the Peters family holdings. Moving away from Plantation's original rural direction, Gulfstream instead targeted commercial, industrial and home office establishments, beginning agreements with Motorola, American Express, and those who would build the [[Westfield Broward|Broward Mall]].<ref name=":6" /> The Plantation Historical Society was founded the following year by Genevieve Veltri, Dorothy O'Hare, Lois Brickhouse, and Marilyn King, with their first meeting held in the Veltri home, and Veltri elected as the first president.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rmiZRUYNntAC|title=Images of America: Plantation|last=Schuler|first=Shirley|date=2013|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9780738594156|pages=6–13, 16, 18, 27, 30, 32, 36–37, 40, 43, 47, 49–50, 52, 55, 66, 68, 74–75, 86, 89, 94–95, 98, 100–101, 103, 105, 111, 114, 116–118, 124–125|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/16455|title=Museum Info - Plantation Historical Society|website=Museums USA|access-date=2018-09-24}}</ref>

Frank Veltri was elected as the city's mayor for the first time in 1975. Veltri became the city's longest-serving mayor, completing six terms over 24 years.<ref name=":8" /> That same year, the financial services company, [[American Express]] moved its 'Southern Region Operations Center' to a newly constructed building in Plantation, beginning with 1,000 employees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-03-04/business/8501080380_1_card-holders-operations-center-plantation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017005438/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-03-04/business/8501080380_1_card-holders-operations-center-plantation|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2015|title=An American Express Way To Growth|last=Gale|first=Kevin|date=1985-03-04|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/14735|title=Sign being hoisted during construction of the American Express Southern Regional Operations Center - Plantation, Florida|last=Florida|first=State Library and Archives of|website=Florida Memory|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref>

During the [[United States Bicentennial|US bicentennial]] celebration in 1976, a 45-foot oak tree was planted in Plantation's Fifth Street Park to represent the [[Liberty Tree]]. The park was renamed Liberty Tree Park as a result.<ref name=":8" /> In 1977, the city and Broward County jointly acquired land which was previously a part of the Peters family farm, and began work on the Plantation Heritage Park, using a grant from the [[Land and Water Conservation Fund]].<ref name=":8" />

The Broward Mall opened in 1978, on what had previously been cow pasture land. At the time, it was the largest mall in the Southern United States, spanning 1 million square feet.<ref name=":21">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-10-30/business/8702020730_1_fashion-mall-mall-site-mall-manager|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014517/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1987-10-30/business/8702020730_1_fashion-mall-mall-site-mall-manager|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2018|title=Broward Mall Submits Proposal For Expansion|last=Wallace|first=David|date=1987-10-30|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> 1978 was also the year of the city's [[Silver jubilee|silver anniversary]], celebrated with three days of events and included the burying of a [[time capsule]] to be updated every 25 years.<ref name=":8" />

In 1979, the Florida Air Academy closed, and the land was sold to the Jewish Community Center.<ref name=":8" />

The final home of mobster [[John Roselli]] (born 1905), liaison and [[Fixer (person)|fixer]] for the [[Chicago Outfit]] in Hollywood, Los Angeles and the Las Vegas Strip was, until June 28, 1976, at his sister Enid and brother-in-law Joseph Daigle's residence at 5220 SW 10th Court, and his murdered body was found in a steel drum in Dumfoundling Bay in Miami on August 9.<ref>Rappeleye, Charles; Becker, Ed (1991); ''All American Mafioso; The Johnny Rosselli Story'', Doubleday, pp.1-8 {{ ISBN|0385266766}}</ref><ref>[[Lee Server|Server, Lee]] (2018); ''Handsome Johnny: The Criminal Life of Johnny Rosselli, The Mob’s Man in Hollywood'', Virgin Books. {{ISBN|0753522306}}</ref><ref name=Tucker>Tucker, William; [https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=15088600&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjMwMzM4OTY0MiwiaWF0IjoxNjA5MDA2NDA2LCJleHAiOjE2MDkwOTI4MDZ9.KJcvLKkDlnd1_W79fPMQH9dB_8huFSVPP5bo82YE5jo "Killers gave Roselli drink, shot him in belly"], ''The Miami News'', p.4., August 10, 1976. Retrieved December 26, 2020.</ref>

=== Recent history (1980–present) ===
By 1980, Plantation's population had reached 48,653.<ref name=":1" /> This year is when the city was first designated as a 'Tree City' by the [[Arbor Day Foundation]].<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arborday.org/programs/treecityusa/treecities.cfm?chosenstate=Florida|title=Tree Cities|website=www.arborday.org|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref> The Plantation Library was renamed to the Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library in the following year.<ref name=":2" />

In 1983, the city opened Plantation Central Park: a 77-acre recreation complex, including an Olympic swimming pool, gym, and spaces for softball, football, soccer, tennis, and basketball.<ref name=":8" /> The same year, the former Plantation Chamber of Commerce (a 1,000-square-foot office building) was moved over one mile by truck to a new location. The intent was for the building to be used as a museum building by the Plantation Historical Society; however, it was vandalized and fell from its foundation, requiring demolition as a result.<ref name=":8" /> Instead, an alternative, Plantation Historical Museum (founded by Genevieve Veltri) is dedicated in June 1985.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" />

The city's landscape department established the Plantation Landscaping Award for Nurturing our Town (PLANT) awards in 1984, developed as part of the [[Arbor Day Foundation#Tree City USA|Tree City USA]] program to reward outstanding landscaping and maintenance.<ref name=":8" /> The same year also saw the first opening of the Plantation Heritage Park to the public.<ref name=":8" />

In 1988, 10 years after the opening of the Broward Mall, two new shopping malls were opened in the city: The Fountains Shopping Mall (450,000 square feet at a cost of $60 million) and the Fashion Mall at Plantation (660,000 square feet, featuring Macy's and Lord & Taylor as its anchor stores).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-03-07/business/8801140945_1_shopping-center-fashion-mall-smaller-shops|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014502/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-03-07/business/8801140945_1_shopping-center-fashion-mall-smaller-shops|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2018|title=Analysts Hailing Burst of Stores in Plantation|last=Rubinkowski|first=Leslie|date=1988-03-07|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" />

The population reached 66,116 by 1990.<ref name=":1" /> The following year, Plantation's PLANT awards recognized [[Marjory Stoneman Douglas]] (then 100 years of age) as the "First Lady of Conservation" for her efforts to preserve the [[Everglades]].<ref name=":8" />

The insurance company Kemper National Services first opened operations in Plantation in 1993, and in the following year, announced plans to double its office space in the city and hire up to 800 additional employees. At the time, the city's largest employers were American Express, followed by Motorola.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-09-15/business/9409140457_1_medical-care-president-david-patterson-employees|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012053911/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-09-15/business/9409140457_1_medical-care-president-david-patterson-employees|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2018|title=Kemper Will Add 800 Jobs|last=Roth|first=Patti|date=1994-09-15|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-10-11|language=en}}</ref>

During the 100th anniversary of the modern [[Olympic Games]] in 1996, the relay run of the [[Olympic flame|Olympic Flame]] passed through Plantation city center.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-07-05/news/9607050025_1_olympic-torch-seaplane-torch-works|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014600/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-07-05/news/9607050025_1_olympic-torch-seaplane-torch-works|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2018|title=Seaplane Carries Torch To S. Florida|last=Lorente|first=Rafael|date=1996-07-05|work=SunSentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en}}</ref> In September of this year, a fire at the [[Plantation Towne Mall]] became the city's largest fire to date, impacting 56,000 square feet of the mall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/volume-150/issue-4/features/plantation-florida-towne-mall-fire.html|title=Plantation, Florida, Towne Mall Fire|last=Casey|first=David|date=1997-04-01|website=Fire Engineering|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> Following the fire, the area was re-built as Plantation Towne Square, including a new [[Publix]] as its anchor store.<ref name=":8" />

The year 2000 census established the city population at 82,934, spanning 15 distinct ethnic groups.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/1600000US1257425|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213082948/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/00_SF1/DP1/1600000US1257425|url-status=dead|archive-date=2020-02-13|title=American FactFinder - Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000 - Plantation city, Florida|website=United States Census Bureau|language=en|access-date=2018-10-11}}</ref> New city developments around this time included the {{convert|11500|sqft|m2|-1|adj=on}} Volunteer Park Community Center (1999), the Park East Multicultural Garden (2001), the Community Bus Service (2001), Jim Ward {{convert|16000|sqft|m2|-2|abbr=on}} Community Center (2002), Jack Carter Harmony Park (2002), Happy Tails Dog Park (2002), the Plantation Equestrian Center (2005), and the Plantation Preserve Golf Course and Club (2006).<ref name=":8" />

Plantation celebrated its 50-year [[Golden jubilee|golden anniversary]] in 2003, with a one-week celebration and updating of the city's time capsule.<ref name=":8" />

[[Hurricane Wilma]] hit Plantation on Monday, October 24, 2005, causing significant damage and power outages.<ref name=":8" /> The resulting damage led to the subsequent closure of the Fashion Mall in 2006.<ref name="Macys">{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-148667452/fashion-mall-macy-remain.html|title=Fashion Mall Macy's will remain closed: There will be no grand reopening of the Macy's at Fashion Mall in Plantation.|last=Walker|first=Elaine|date=26 July 2006|access-date=October 21, 2009|newspaper=The Miami Herald}}</ref>

In 2007, the Broward Mall was acquired by the [[Westfield Group]], received a multimillion-dollar renovation, and was renamed to [[Westfield Broward]].<ref name=":8" />

The city was first named one as of the nation's "100 Best Communities for Young People" by [[America's Promise Alliance]] in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americaspromise.org/2008-competition-winners|title=2008 Competition Winners|website=America's Promise|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref> It has won this award on other subsequent years, including 2010<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americaspromise.org/2010-competition-winners|title=2010 Competition Winners|website=America's Promise|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref> and 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americaspromise.org/2011-competition-winners|title=2011 Competition Winners|website=America's Promise|language=en|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref>

The 2010 census established the city's population at 84,955 people.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=U.S. Census website|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|language=en|access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref> During this year, the vacant former Fashion Mall was planned for auction, but the auction was cancelled after the property owner paid a court judgement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2010/04/19/focus1.html|title=Plantation's Fashion Mall set for auction|last=Bandell|first=Brian|date=April 19, 2010|work=Florida Business Journal|access-date=January 13, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2010/05/03/story7.html|title=Judgment paid, Fashion Mall auction canceled|last=Bandell|first=Brian|date=May 3, 2010}}</ref>

In 2011, Diane Veltri Bendekovic, daughter of previous long-running mayor Frank Veltri, was elected as mayor of the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.browardbeat.com/political-musical-chairs-in-plantation-bendekovic-jacobs-jump-in/|title=Political Musical Chairs In Plantation: Bendekovic, Jacobs Jump In - BrowardBeat.com {{!}} Politics, News & Views by Buddy Nevins|website=www.browardbeat.com|access-date=2018-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-diane-veltri-bendekovic-20150208-story.html|title=Diane Veltri Bendekovic|work=Sun Sentinel|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en-US}}</ref>

The city's 60th anniversary in 2013 saw the publication of a new book dedicated to its history: ''Images of America: Plantation''.<ref name=":8" />

The developers of the previously closed Fashion Mall filed for bankruptcy in October 2014. The property was then sold in a bankruptcy auction in April 2015 for $37.7 million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2018/09/11/settlement-reached-in-litigation-over-controversial-fashion-mall-project-in-broward/|title=Settlement Reached in Litigation Over Controversial Fashion Mall Project in Broward {{!}} Daily Business Review|last=Schlein|first=Zach|work=Daily Business Review|access-date=2018-10-11}}</ref> Demolition of the former Fashion Mall then began in 2016 (leaving the existing hotel, office and parking areas), to make way for [[Plantation Walk]] (previously known as 321 North<ref name=":0" />): a $350 million complex including 700 apartments, 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, and remodeled versions of the existing 160,000-square-foot office tower and [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts|Sheraton hotel]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/87300567-132.html|title=Demolition of Plantation Fashion Mall begins|last=Sun-Sentinel|first=South Florida|work=Sun-Sentinel.com|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-plantation-walk-development-20171116-story.html|title=The Fashion Mall is no more: Workers wrap up demolition|last=Huriash|first=Lisa J.|work=Sun-Sentinel.com|access-date=2018-09-25|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/plantation/fl-sb-plantation-fashion-mall-20170322-story.html|title=Fashion Mall gets new name: 'Plantation Walk'|last=Huriash|first=Lisa J.|website=Sun-sentinel.com|access-date=20 May 2018}}</ref> In September 2018, a settlement was reached, dismissing legal conflicts between the area's bankruptcy trustee and other parties previously involved in the redevelopment. The development was targeting completion in 2021.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://therealdeal.com/miami/2017/10/10/malpractice-suit-involving-plantation-fashion-mall-dismissed/|title=Malpractice suit involving Plantation Fashion Mall dismissed|date=2017-10-10|work=The Real Deal Miami|access-date=2018-10-11|language=en-US}}</ref>

The American Express office in Plantation closed in 2017 when the company moved to a facility in neighboring Sunrise, Florida.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-american-express-regional-hub-sunrise-20170127-story.html|title=American Express opens regional headquarters in Sunrise|last=Pounds|first=Marcia Heroux|website=Sun Sentinel|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref> In response to the move, committee review began on 'Plantation Midtown': a new {{convert|25|acre|km2|adj=on|abbr=}} [[mixed-use development]], encompassing the site of the former American Express office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2017/03/10/former-american-express-office-in-broward-could-be.html|title=Former American Express office in Broward could be redeveloped as mixed use|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref>

On July 6, 2019, 23 people were injured, two seriously, by a gas explosion at the Market on University shopping plaza on South University Drive, which caused extensive damage to it and nearby buildings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48894648|title=Plantation explosion: Injuries reported at Florida shopping complex|date=6 July 2019|access-date=6 July 2019|work=BBC News}}</ref> The explosion occurred due to People's Gas, a division of [[TECO Energy]], failing to close and lock a gas line after a customer request dating back to December 2018, in violation of Federal and Florida law.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gas leak suspected in explosion that rocked South Florida shopping center, injuring 23 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/gas-leak-suspected-in-explosion-that-rocked-south-florida-shopping-center-injuring-23-20190708/ |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2020, following the [[George Floyd protests]] some residents called for the city, along with certain local schools whose names include the word "plantation", to be renamed due to the connotation of the word "plantation" with [[Slavery in the United States|slavery in the American South]]. The city's name has no direct links to slavery and other residents expressed opposition to renaming.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/11/us/plantation-fl-rhode-island.html|title='Not a Welcoming Name': Calls to Drop 'Plantation' Gain Steam Nationwide|date=11 July 2020|access-date=27 August 2021|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article243566402.html|title=Why some Floridians want to rename Broward County, Plantation and Lee County|date=19 June 2020|access-date=27 August 2021|work=The Miami Herald}}</ref>

In 2021, Westfield Mall returned to its previous name of Broward Mall following the fall of the [[Westfield Group]].