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| Fort Lauderdale 1976 - looking north from A-1-A Florida State Archives |
Like most cities across the U.S. during 1976, Fort Lauderdale celebrated the U.S. Bicentenial. Many will also remember what defined the city that year: the places we went, the prices we paid, the movies we watched and what made the headlines.
A boat parade of 200 vessels from nearby towns converged at Bahia Mar where 600 red, white, and blue balloons were released. An air show, as well as power boat races drew crowds to Fort Lauderdale’s sands. At night, a street party with fireworks entertained hundreds at Las Olas beach.
And, the British aircraft carrier HMS Royal Ark with more than 1,000 sailors docked at Port Everglades with 1776 emblazoned atop its deck. Its arrival honored the U.S. milestone. A few sailors teased, in good humor of course, about not losing that war, just "coming in second."
The Bicentenial here was recognized throughout the year by businesses. Retail stores ran
ads with variations of 1776 as prices. Barstools were advertised on sale for
$17.76 at Woolco. Scotty’s Appliances sold dishwashing machines for $177.60. Realtors for Sea Ranch Lakes North condominium
advertised “Bicentenial values,” i.e., special units for sale in the low $60s.
Fort Lauderdale in the news 1976
New Year’s Eve in Fort Lauderdale kicked off its third consecutive year of riots at the beach. Though slightly down from the prior year, arrests were made of “party” goers who threw rocks, brought down traffic lights and dared to run naked in the streets. Police arrested 60 of the partiers.
Fort Lauderdale High and Pine Crest School swimming coach Jack Nelson was named National High School Coach of the Year in 1976. The same
year, he was tapped as Women’s Swimming Coach for the U.S. Summer Olympics.
Public restrooms at Las Olas beach and South Beach (Bahia
Mar) were beset with problems such as drug abuse, vandalism and lewd activities.
The city’s winter tourist season was ranked as the “best
ever,” but the state of the economy was top of mind for many. Fort Lauderdale saw
a steep economic decline during 1974 and 1975 due to overbuilding. The unemployment
rate in 1976, however, notched below the 8.9% reported the prior year.
Fort Lauderdale by the numbers in 1976
139,000: Population between census years of
1970 and 1980. Broward County was estimated at 935,000. In 1980 Fort Lauderdale
residents numbered 153,279.
$13,420: Area median income estimated by the U.S. Census. Northern US income was reported higher at $14,960.
$349: Price of sofa beds at Carl’s Furniture
$19.99: Price of bedspreads at Jordan March; pillows sold for
$5.99
$4.50: cost of Easter brunch at the Galt Ocean Mile Hotel
79 cents: Price of a dozen eggs at Publix by year’s end. Two loaves of rye bread sold for 89 cents.Fort Lauderdale nightlife in 1976
Yesterday’s
Bachelors III
Broadway Dinner Theatre
Mr. Pip’s
Movies Fort Lauderdale watched in 1976 at local theaters
Theater in 1976
Parker Playhouse with Zev Bufman productions such as Same Time Next Year
What some read in 1976Trinity by Leon Uris
The Deep by Peter Benchley
