Plantation, Florida: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 03:57, 10 May 2025

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Plantation is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is a part of the South Florida metropolitan area. The city's name comes from the previous part-owner of the land, the Everglades Plantation Company, and their unsuccessful attempts to establish a rice plantation in the area. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 91,750.

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">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1897, the Interior Department submitted 2.9 million acres to the Florida Land Office; however, the submission was revoked the following year, due to fears it would "impinge upon the rights and interests of the Seminole Tribes."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 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 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">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":8" />

The first attempts to drain the Everglades began in 1906, with the building and launching of two dredges into the New River: The Okeechobee (commanded by Captain Walter S. Holloway of the 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>Template:Cite journal Template: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: The fund trustees granted Bolles Template:Convert 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">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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 plantation in the Everglades.<ref name=":12">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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) to anyone purchasing farmland of five acres or more in the drainage land;<ref name=":3" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</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>Template:Cite book</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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite journal</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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":8" />

Driven by the success of the drainage projects, the 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">Template:Cite web</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">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":6">Template:Cite news</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 United States Soil Conservation Service) purchased Template:Convert further north for approximately $10–25 per acre, financed with a $350,000 mortgage.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite journal</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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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">Template:Cite news</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">Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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 cofferdams, 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">Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite book</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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":8" />

Gulfstream developments (1964–1979)

Following the death of Frederick C. Peters in July 1964, the Peters family sold Template:Convert of undeveloped land west of University Drive (originally named Annapu Road<ref>Template:Cite news</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 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>Template:Cite news</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">Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite web</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 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">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":20">Template:Cite web</ref>

During the 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">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":8" /> 1978 was also the year of the city's 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 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 Template:ISBN</ref><ref>Server, Lee (2018); Handsome Johnny: The Criminal Life of Johnny Rosselli, The Mob’s Man in Hollywood, Virgin Books. Template:ISBN</ref><ref name=Tucker>Tucker, William; "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>Template:Cite web</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 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>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite news</ref>

During the 100th anniversary of the modern Olympic Games in 1996, the relay run of the Olympic Flame passed through Plantation city center.<ref>Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</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">Template:Cite web</ref> New city developments around this time included the Template:Convert Volunteer Park Community Center (1999), the Park East Multicultural Garden (2001), the Community Bus Service (2001), Jim Ward Template:Convert 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 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">Template:Cite news</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>Template:Cite web</ref> It has won this award on other subsequent years, including 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The 2010 census established the city's population at 84,955 people.<ref name=":14">Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2011, Diane Veltri Bendekovic, daughter of previous long-running mayor Frank Veltri, was elected as mayor of the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</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">Template:Cite news</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 hotel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite news</ref>

The American Express office in Plantation closed in 2017 when the company moved to a facility in neighboring Sunrise, Florida.<ref name=":22">Template:Cite web</ref> In response to the move, committee review began on 'Plantation Midtown': a new Template:Convert mixed-use development, encompassing the site of the former American Express office.<ref>Template:Cite web</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>Template:Cite 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>Template:Cite web</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 American South. The city's name has no direct links to slavery and other residents expressed opposition to renaming.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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

Geography

File:PlantationEastbound.jpg

East-facing aerial photo of Plantation. Flamingo Road (bottom) separates Plantation from Sunrise.

Land size

As of the 2010 census, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.87%) is water.<ref name=":18">Template:Cite web</ref>

Location and surroundings

Plantation is in central Broward County and is bordered by Lauderhill to the northeast, Sunrise to the north and west, Davie to the south, and Fort Lauderdale to the east.

Climate

Plantation has a tropical rainforest climate (Af), bordering a tropical monsoon climate (Am) due to the driest month of December's precipitation being near the 60mm threshold separating these categories.

On average, August is the hottest month, with an average high of Template:Convert, whilst January is the coolest month, with an average low of Template:Convert and a record low of Template:Convert.<ref name="weather.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

Full monthly statistics for the city are as follows: Template:Weather box

Demographics

Template:US Census population

Historical demographics	2020<ref name="PopulationByRace2020">Template:Cite web</ref>	2010<ref name="PopulationByRace2010">Template:Cite web</ref>	2000<ref name="PopulationByRace2000">Template:Cite web</ref>	1990<ref name="PopulationByRace1990">Template:Cite web</ref>	1980<ref name="PopulationByRace1980">Template:Cite web</ref>
White (non-Hispanic)	41.4%	53.7%	68.0%	84.0%	94.8%
Hispanic or Latino	28.0%	20.4%	13.1%	8.1%	3.5%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	20.7%	19.4%	13.4%	5.8%	0.9%
Asian and Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic)	4.5%	3.8%	2.9%	1.8%	0.8%
Native American (non-Hispanic)	0.1%	0.2%	0.1%	0.1%
Some Other Race (non-Hispanic)	1.1%	0.5%	0.4%	0.1%
Two or more races (non-Hispanic)	4.2%	2.0%	2.1%	N/A	N/A
Population	91,750	84,955	82,934	66,692	48,501

2020 census

**Plantation, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition**
Template:Nobold
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2000	% 2010	Template:Partial
White (NH)	56,411	45,599	37,976	68.02%	53.67%	41.39%
Black or African American (NH)	11,101	16,470	18,961	13.39%	19.39%	20.67%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	107	146	135	0.13%	0.17%	0.15%
Asian (NH)	2,359	3,221	4,146	2.84%	3.79%	4.52%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)	36	46	26	0.04%	0.05%	0.03%
Some other race (NH)	337	422	1,003	0.41%	0.50%	1.09%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	1,723	1,679	3,815	2.08%	1.98%	4.16%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	10,860	17,372	25,688	13.09%	20.45%	28.00%
Total	82,934	84,955	91,750	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

Households

As of the 2020 U.S. census, there were 91,750 people, 34,532 households, and 22,738 families residing in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As of the 2010 U.S. census, there were 84,955 people, 34,211 households, and 22,156 families residing in the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Also as of 2010, 66.0% of the 34,190 total households were family households, 47.7% were husband-wife households, and 28.5% included a child under 18 years. 26.3% of all households were made up of individual householders living alone, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.<ref name=":14"/>

Age and gender

As of 2010, the median age of the city's population was 39.7 years, with the age distribution of 23.5% 19 years or younger (21.5% under the age of 18); 26.9% from 20 to 39 years; 30.0% from 40 to 59 years; 17.5% from 60 to 84 years; and 2.1% 85 years or older.<ref name=":14"/>

In 2010, the population was 52.6% female, with a 53.5% female population aged over 18 years.<ref name=":14"/>

Employment and income

According to a 2013–2017 American Community Survey estimate, the per capita income for the city (in 2017 inflation-adjusted dollars) was $35,897, the median household income was $69,531, and the median family income was $78,839.<ref name=":14"/> The median earnings for a full-time, year-round male worker was $54,188, compared to $44,537 for the female equivalent.<ref name=":14" />

Between 2013 and 2017, the estimate also identified 9.0% of the city's population (6.7% of families) below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name=":14" />

Between 2013 and 2017, he largest area of occupation (for civilians aged 16 and older) was in management, business, science, and arts occupations (43.4%), followed by sales and office occupations (28.9%).<ref name=":14" />

Language

As of the 2000 census, first language distribution in the city was 78.01% English, 13.00% Spanish, 2.24% French Creole, 1.31% French, 0.72% Hebrew, 0.72% Portuguese, 0.59% Italian, 0.55% German, 0.46% Arabic, and 2.40% for all others.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

A 2012 survey of business owners identified a total of 13,674 companies within the city.<ref name=":15">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":14"/> An economic census, also from 2012, determined that total retail sales in the city amounted to $1.72 billion.<ref name=":15" />

Specific companies with operations in Plantation include DHL (Express Head Office: United States),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the University of Phoenix (South Florida Campus),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and TradeStation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Companies with former locations in Plantation include American Express (1975 to 2017),<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":22" /> and Motorola (1969 to 2015).<ref name=":8" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Malls

Plantation was home to two malls, situated across the street from one another: the Westfield Broward Mall (south of Broward Boulevard),<ref name=":21" /> and the Fashion Mall (north of Broward Boulevard);<ref name=":8" /> however, the Fashion Mall was closed in 2006 and is currently in the process of being re-developed for the Plantation Walk project.<ref name="Macys" /><ref name=":0" />

Golf and country clubs

The oldest club in the city is the 293 acre Fort Lauderdale Country Club, which was first founded in 1926 (despite setbacks caused by the 1926 Miami hurricane).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":24" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> When first opened, the 6,661 yard course was known as the West Side Golf Course, and was owned by the city of Fort Lauderdale;<ref name=":25">Template:Cite web</ref> however, the course was renamed in December 1928 when it was leased by Fort Lauderdale.<ref name=":25" /> In 1951, the club was expanded with a second 18-hole, 6,915 yard 'North Course'.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Though originally a public club, it became a private club in 1957, when it was sold by the city of Fort Lauderdale.<ref name=":25" /> The club's original 'South Course' was designed by Joseph A. Roseman, Hebert Charles Tippet, and George Richardson Sr.,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":25" /> and subsequently re-designed by Charles Ankrom (1991) and Kipp Schulties (2006).<ref name=":25" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The North Course was designed by Robert 'Red' F. Lawrence,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> then re-designed by Tom Pearson (1999) and Kipp Schulties (2006).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The first club not owned by Fort Lauderdale, the Plantation Golf Course and Country Club, was designed by Robert 'Red' F. Lawrence and original city master plan architect Russell Pancoast, opening in 1950.<ref name=":8" /> Following discovery of a Native American burial mound on the site of the 14th hole during construction, each hole on the course was given a different Native American name to honor the area's previous Seminole and Tequesta residents.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> In addition to the golf course, the club included a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a clubhouse.<ref name=":8" />

Another of the city's private golf courses is the 162 acre Lago Mar Country Club (not to be confused with Mar-a-Lago).<ref name=":24" /> Established in 1969,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lago Mar was purchased from its original builders in 1980 and re-designed in 2009 by Kipp Schulties,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> reopening on January 1, 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club includes teeing grounds from 5,811 to 6,756 yards and other facilities such as private tennis courts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club in July 2024

Another public (though privately owned) club within the city is the Jacaranda Golf Club: a 285-acre, 7,247 yard course designed by Mark Mahannah and built 1970, then redesigned by Bobby Weed in 2006.<ref name=":24" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Work on a new city-owned golf course began in 2002, when the city purchased the property of the original Plantation Golf Course and commenced the new 'Plantation Preserve' development. This development work resulted in the Plantation Preserve Golf Course and Club: a 214-acre, 7,148 yard course, designed by Robert von Hagge, Michael Smelek, and Rick Baril, which was dedicated in April 2006.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":24">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

File:American Heritage School Aerial.jpg

Aerial photo of American Heritage School

According to a 2013–2017 American Community Survey estimate, 93.4% of the city have attained high school graduation or a higher level of education. 25.4% have a bachelor's degree, and 17.4% have a graduate or professional degree.<ref name=":15" />

Plantation is served by Broward County Public Schools.<ref>Template:Cite web - Compare this to the school boundary maps.</ref> Template:Div col Public high schools

Plantation High School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
South Plantation High School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Plantation middle schools

Plantation Middle School
Seminole Middle School
Bair Middle School in Sunrise, Florida (serves parts of Plantation)<ref>Template:Cite web - Compare to the zoning map of Plantation</ref>

Public elementary schools

Central Park Elementary School
Mirror Lake Elementary School
Peters Elementary School
Plantation Elementary School
Plantation Park Elementary School
Tropical Elementary School
Sawgrass Elementary School in Sunrise (serves parts of Plantation)<ref>Template:Cite web - Compare to the zoning map of Plantation</ref>

Private schools

American Heritage School and American Academy
The Blake School
Our Savior Lutheran
St. Gregory's Parish School of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami

Higher education

University of Phoenix

Template:Div col end

Media

Plantation is part of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood media market, which is the sixteenth largest media market,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the eleventh largest radio market,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the sixteenth largest television market<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in the United States.

The city's primary daily newspapers are the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and The Miami Herald, and their Spanish-language counterparts El Sentinel and El Nuevo Herald.

Plantation has also been used as a filming location for feature films, such as Caddyshack in 1980 (the Plantation Country Club was used for the film's pool scenes),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and There's Something About Mary in 1998 (the film's high school is actually Plantation City Hall, located at 400 NW 73rd Avenue).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>