Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: On this 13-acre site, bounded by Broward Boulevard, South Federal Highway, SE 3rd Avenue, and SE 2nd Street, stood the original Fort Lauderdale High School. The land was donated by Frank and Ivy Strahanan, Fort Lauderdale’s first school teacher. Built at a cost of $86,000 and dedicated on September 16, 1915, it was the first high school in newly organized Broward County. Originally called Central School with students in all twelve grades, as Fort Lauderdale grew it became exclusively a high school in 1924. North Hall was completed in 1924, two wings were added to the original building in 1925 and 1926, and the auditorium in 1925. The Great Hurricane of 1926 damaged both wings and the auditorium roof, requiring extensive reconstruction. A gymnasium was added in 1930, followed by the library and cafeteria in 1940. Between 1915 and 1962, forty-eight classes were graduated, totaling 8,833 students. A new high school building opened in the fall of 1962 at 1600 NE 4th Avenue. The original buildings were demolished in August 1970.