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| Fort Lauderdale lifeguard station 1974 Florida State Archives |
By Jane Feehan
The first bridge to Fort Lauderdale's barrier island and its beach (at Las Olas) was built in 1917. Sun bathers and swimmers soon followed. But it wasn't until August 1926 that "civic groups" asked the city commission for lifeguards at the popular bathing spot.
"Since large crowds gathered each day ... the city should do everything possible to increase attractiveness of the beach."
They asked for one lifeguard at all times during the day, and two present during busy hours. The civic leaders also asked for a pontooon and other boat, a "pulmotor," be available for their use.
It came to be. The first Fort Lauderdale beach lifeguard reported Dec. 1, 1926 at 1:30 pm. Two guards would be on hand thereafter for Sundays and holidays A Red Cross medical tent was provided that day for a Red Cross safety drill.
Today a well-trained athletic group, the Fort Lauderdale Beach Patrol, now Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, provides a valuable lifesaving service to the city’s residents and visitors.
The first bridge to Fort Lauderdale's barrier island and its beach (at Las Olas) was built in 1917. Sun bathers and swimmers soon followed. But it wasn't until August 1926 that "civic groups" asked the city commission for lifeguards at the popular bathing spot.
"Since large crowds gathered each day ... the city should do everything possible to increase attractiveness of the beach."
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| Swimmers, Las Olas beach 1917 Florida State Archives |
It came to be. The first Fort Lauderdale beach lifeguard reported Dec. 1, 1926 at 1:30 pm. Two guards would be on hand thereafter for Sundays and holidays A Red Cross medical tent was provided that day for a Red Cross safety drill.
Today a well-trained athletic group, the Fort Lauderdale Beach Patrol, now Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, provides a valuable lifesaving service to the city’s residents and visitors.
Enjoy a glance at different lifeguard stations through the years. These "towers" have come a long, long way in sophistication.
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| Lifeguard station - unknown Florida location, 1965 Florida State Archives |
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| Lifeguard tower Vero Beach, 1969 Florida State Archives |
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| Lifeguard stations Fort Lauderdale 2023 |
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| Fort Lauderdale 2023 |
Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. Jane Feehan
Sources:
Fort Lauderdale News, Aug. 17, 1926
Fort
Lauderdale News,
Nov. 28, 1926
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