Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: Honeymooning here in 1948, Frank and Gertrude Denison purchased the shipyard on this site known as Dooley’s Boat Basin, renaming it Broward Marine. In 1950, they won the contract to build 11 minesweepers for the Dutch and U.S. navies. The seemingly impossible delivery schedule dictated the launching of seven 144-foot ships every 45 days, and four 172-foot ships every 90 days. The local press dubbed the effort “Frank’s Folly.” As the largest defense contractor in Florida, Congress mandated the widening of bridges and dredging of canals in the area, along with the building of a railroad spur directly to the yard. Thousands came to Florida in the early 1950s to work at the yard, and many stayed after the program ended. In 1955, Broward Marine launched Alisa V, the largest yacht built in the U.S. since World War II, which began the yacht-building industry here. In 1993, the company had the largest world-wide order book, the first U.S. yacht builder to receive this distinction. The establishment of Fort Lauderdale as the “Yachting Capital of the World” was due to the efforts of people like the Denisons, who made their careers here. In 1999, the Denisons sold this shipyard after living and working there for over 50 years.