City of Oakland Park History Oakland Park

Tales from Old Oakland Park: From Floranada to Oakland Park

Susan Gillis January 26, 2022

1925 was the height of the Florida land boom – real estate was king and new developments were springing up all around the Sunshine State. The future Oakland Park was a community of farmers and small businesses centered along Dixie Highway. Fort Lauderdale and Pompano were looking to

City of Oakland Park History Oakland Park

Tales from Old Oakland Park: Getting the Bugs Out

Susan Gillis January 3, 2022

Forget the heat – what did the long-ago residents do about pests in the olden days before DDT and “integrated pest management?” Well, they suffered, for one thing. In a small town with lots of horses and cows there were plenty of flies and nasty horseflies. There was a lot more water around then – […]

City of Oakland Park History

Come Be a Part of the Oakland Park History Project

Susan Gillis December 14, 2021

Do you have a good story about the history of Oakland Park? What was your favorite restaurant or hangout? Do you remember life before air conditioning and pest control? Are you the owner of a longtime business in the city? Tell us about the history of your neighborhood? When and why did you and your […]

4th of July History Lifestyle

How to Properly Dispose the American Flag

Jada Spaulding July 5, 2021

In 1777, the Continental Congress approved the first official American flag. Since then it has been shown prominently by many people as a symbol of their pride in America’s history, freedom, and union. Although the American Flag has had 27 incarnations since 1777, its meaning has remained profound and its presence during some of country’s […]

History Lifestyle Meet the Locals Music Oakland Park Parks

Jaco Pastorius: How One Oakland Parker Changed Music Forever

Erica Diaz May 31, 2021 Post a comment

Tucked behind Funky Buddha brewery on Dixie Highway is a space that, to many, is the heart of Oakland Park. If you’ve been to any of our cultural festivals, Holiday Village, movie nights, or food events you know the iconic fountain and archway that lead into Jaco Pastorius Park. You know the name, which is […]

Community English Events History Holidays Veterans Day Veterans Day

Oakland Park Veteran Spotlight: Eugene Andresen

Desiree Avila November 11, 2020

Veterans Day, observed on November 11th, is a day to celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Eugene Andresen: Willingness to Serve The willingness to serve never seemed to leave Oakland Park’s Eugene Andresen, who spent five years in the Navy […]

History Neighbors Oakland Park Parks

Dr. Carter G Woodson Park: A Park with a Name

Rhiannon Samoyedny February 27, 2020 2

To understand the namesake of Dr. Carter G Woodson Park, one must travel back in time. Starting in Oakland Park’s earliest days when settlers came to the area in search of fruitful land to grow crops. This brought many sharecroppers to the area such as R.J. McBride, an Irish settler who bought acreage in Oakland […]

History Holidays Thanksgiving

What The First Thanksgiving Was Really Like

Desiree Avila November 28, 2019

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is a day to gather with friends and family and break bread without the pressure of having to buy gifts. As a former history teacher I always wondered what the first Thanksgiving was like. So, for this article I did a little research to find out […]

English History Holidays Memorial Day

Memorial Day: Remembering Veterans And Their Never Ending War

Desiree Avila May 23, 2019 Post a comment

For soldiers and veterans who have experienced war, it certainly is hell. But the hell that they survive does not end when they come home.

English Florida History

History: The Florida Purchase, Bargain Of The Century?

Desiree Avila May 13, 2019

A Paradise Called Florida Miami Vice is iconic of Florida. Alligators, airboats, beaches, boats, canals, cattle, cocaine, cowboys, discos, Disney, drugs, drag queens, ecstasy, fashion, Ferraris, fitness, food, football, Gators, hanging chads, Hard Rock, hot, humid, intracoastal, jets, kayaking, Latinos, luxury cars, Maseratis, Merengue, nightclubs, oranges, paradise,