Fort Lauderdale's Natchez Plantation House - beach landmark, old memory

 

Natchez Plantation House 1961
Florida State Archives

Natchez Plantation House

735 N. Atlantic Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL

By Jane Feehan

Not sure when the Natchez Plantation House was built, but for many growing up in Fort Lauderdale it was part of A1A’s scenery during the 1960s and 70s. It was the first tourist building that met the eye on the strip after the Bonnet House.

Advertised as a 12-unit building with furnished units for short-term or yearly leases, this anachronistic structure was demolished at least a decade ago. The city turned down a proposal for a 22-story condo at the site in 2003 (days when development was restrained under Mayor Jim Naugle).

In 2016, the Natchez property was valued at $25.9 million. A land swap for parking was proposed by the city that year, but it was controversial because it sat next to the historic Bonnet House. The swap was proposed to entice beach goers to use Sunrise Boulevard rather than Las Olas for beach access. In 2022, signs on construction fencing around the site read, "Temporary Fire Station 13 and parking." Asphalting is underway. The swap was made for the city's use.

July 2022, asphalting underway

A few news pieces about the Natchez Plantation House appeared in the 1960s. One clip, an advertisement for a secretary/receptionist was funny, if not informative, about that decade. The pay offered was $70 a week to assist with a variety of duties including welcoming visitors and operating an editorial office for publisher Charles C. Thomas of Illinois. The add also promised “health and accidents.” Surely a reference to insurance.

Vacant property - in 2022

In July 1961, a piece in the Fort Lauderdale News reported that the Natchez Plantation House, plus acreage, was traded for Palm Patio Apartments at 2922 Banyan Street. The trade was handled by Averill and Co., a local real estate firm. About a year later the same newspaper reported that Charles C. Thomas, publisher, purchased the Natchez from Frances and Jack Wallace.

Today, traffic is often backed up at Sunrise and A1A on weekends—on and off season. With the state of today’s traffic congestion, drivers will take any navigable route without encouragement from the city. The project  replacing the Natchez Plantation House will be the first on the strip after the Bonnet House, an overture to the city’s famous beach south of Sunrise Boulevard. Let’s hope it plays well.

 

 Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. Jane Feehan

Sources:

 Fort Lauderdale News, July 15, 1961

Fort Lauderdale News, July 21, 1962

Fort Lauderdale News, Sept. 12, 1962

South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Dec. 19, 2016

Tags: Fort Lauderdale Beach,  Fort Lauderdale in the 1960s, Fort Lauderdale history