Editing Plantation, Florida (section)

=== 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" />