By Jane Feehan
The Vietnam War dominated national headlines in 1966 and at
times worked its way into sad local stories, but other topics appeared in Fort
Lauderdale news. A Man for All Seasons won Best Picture for that year
and many who saw Dr. Zhivago, released December 1965, probably did so in
1966. The International Swimming Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1965 and
Parker Playhouse opened in February 1967, two big local stories many will recall,
but 1966 held other news.
Summarized below are a few of those local headlines.
Some advertisements also referenced.
Merchants protest a proposed Las Olas Boulevard interchange
off I-95. A few politicos envisioned it as a route to downtown. Merchants won
that one (Fort Lauderdale News, March 6, 1966).
It is first suggested portions of A1A serve as one-way, parallel
thoroughfares. So it is today. (Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 4, 1966).
Actor and heartthrob Gregory Peck (1916-2003) speaks
at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club on behalf of the American Cancer Society. He
was given the keys to the city of Fort Lauderdale at the event. His wife,
French journalist Veronique Passani, accompanies him (Fort Lauderdale News.
Mar. 25, 1966).
Fort Lauderdale police find a 9.5 ft hammerhead shark
tied to a bench at A1A (Atlantic Boulevard) and 15th Street. The
400-pound creature, probably left by spring breakers, is incinerated by the
city (Fort Lauderdale News. Mar. 25, 1966).
On Jan. 10, 1966, John J. Yuscius, chef at Fred Wenner’s
restaurant on North Federal Highway, is named Chef of the Year for 1965 by
the Epicurean Club. Yuscius is the first to receive that honor from the club. (Fort Lauderdale News, Jan. 10, 1966)
The body of self-proclaimed messiah, Stephen Solomon
Berenbaum, 28, is found in the Intracoastal near the International Swimming
Hall of Fame. According to his brother, he had jumped into the waterway near
the Las Olas Bridge, stood at the bottom with arms stretched upward and soon disappeared. Police
hint LSD (Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 4, 1966).
Jordan Marsh, at the Sunrise Shopping Center, announces
Jan. 1, 1966 it will add two floors, one for a restaurant and bar and another
for an auditorium (Fort Lauderdale News, Jan. 1, 1966)
Coral Ridge Properties begins construction on Coral
Ridge Towers South, west of the Galt Mile. Resident count of the four-building
project rises to 1,350 (Fort Lauderdale News, Jan. 1, 1966).
“An authentic history of Fort Lauderdale,” Checkered
Sunshine, is published by University of Florida Press. Authors Philip
Weidling and August Berghard hold a book signing at Birch State Park on Dec. 4.
(Fort Lauderdale News, Dec. 4, 1966)
Vic Tanny International Gym and Health Clubs advertises
20 visits for $20 at its 3425 North Federal Hwy location (Fort Lauderdale
News, throughout 1966).
The Royal Admiral, an apartment building on the Galt
Mile, advertises $155 rent for a one-bedroom unit.
Tags: Fort Lauderdale history, Fort Lauderdale news 1966, Coral Ridge Properties, The Royal Admiral, Coral Ridge Towers South, Las Olas Boulevard, Gregory Peck, Jordan Marsh
Tags: Fort Lauderdale history, Fort Lauderdale news 1966, Coral Ridge Properties, The Royal Admiral, Coral Ridge Towers South, Las Olas Boulevard, Gregory Peck, Jordan Marsh
