Introduction to Plantation, Florida
The Florida city of Plantation is located in central Broward County. The city lies 8 miles west of Fort Lauderdale, and is also bordered by Lauderhill (to the northeast), Sunrise (to the northwest) and Davie (to the south). The city of Miami is located about 33 miles south of Plantation.
Until the 1940s, Broward County was still relatively uninhabited. In 1941, Frederick C. Peters, a potato farmer and cattle baron, bought 10,000 acres of cheap, undeveloped land at $25 an acre from a large tract which was previously owned by the Everglades Plantation Company (which explains the origin of the city's name). By 1949, a community had formed with 40 homes in the area and in 1953 this community was formally incorporated as the city of Plantation. Ensuing decades saw periods of both steady and explosive growth to the city.
Attractions and Events in and Around Plantation
Plantation is host to several annual events and celebrations. Each December, the Historical Society creates a Winter Wonderland highlighting trees decorated in many designs reflecting a variety of cultures. Fall is the setting for Art in the Park, an outdoor juried Art Show offering food and drink, musical entertainment and activities for kids. The Halloween & Safety Festival, held in October, features a children's carnival, haunted house, live music, raffles and door prizes.
The City of Plantation Historical Museum, which started as a small museum in a back room of City Hall, opened in 1985 and today houses permanent exhibits which include artifacts from the Seminole and Tequesta tribes and historically significant city memorabilia. Nearby attractions include Fort Lauderdale Beach, home of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, honoring achievements of outstanding swimmers and athletes in related water sports such as diving and water polo; the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation, home of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Native American Museum, which chronicles the history and culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida; the Graves Museum of Archaeology & Natural History (Dania Beach); Flamingo Gardens & Wray Botanical Collection (Davie); and the Seminole Okalee Indian Village & Museum (Fort Lauderdale).
Sports fans don't need to travel far from Plantation for major league professional action. Fort Lauderdale, only minutes away, is the Spring Training home of Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles. The nearby town of Sunrise is the location of the Florida Panthers of the NHL (National Hockey League), who play their games in the city's BankAtlantic Center. About 30 minutes south of Plantation is the city of Miami, where the Miami Dolphins (National Football League), Florida Marlins (Major League Baseball) and Miami Heat (National Basketball Association) all reside.
