Broward will get a fresh look on a busy thoroughfare. And the reason is to break from its racist past.
A historical-theme mural painted on the north wall of the Broward County Governmental Center parking garage at 101 SW First Ave. off Broward Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale that was created almost four decades ago will be made anew.
The central theme in the original mural is now dominated by Gov. Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, the county’s namesake, who was also a segregationist whose comments from a century ago have drawn scrutiny.
A document that Broward wrote during his term in office called on Congress “to purchase territory, either domestic or foreign, and provide means to purchase the property of the negroes at a reasonable price and to transport them to the territory purchased by the United States.”
The mural has run its course: “Some people found it offensive when there was nobody of color, rather just white settler culture,” said Phillip Dunlap, director of the Broward County Cultural Division: “It’s an opportunity to add something new to downtown Fort Lauderdale.”
Gov. Broward will be gone from the next mural, and likely replaced with one of the region’s waterways, such as beaches or Everglades instead.
For this next mural, the county asked residents for feedback on themes for the 30- by 85-foot mural, and if the next design follows the suggestions, it could become more about flowers and even the region’s waterways.
The survey, which drew 450 responses, showed residents are most interested in flora and fauna, with 37% of the voters, than local landmarks and “symbols of progress and future aspirations.”
Environmental conservation won as the new theme by just three votes over arts and cultural history. Realistic depiction was chosen as the style over bold or abstract. The natural environment, including beaches and Everglades, beat out Broward landmarks and cultural diversity. And tropical colors of bright blues, greens and oranges was preferred for the palette over soft pastel beach tones and urban blues and grays.
Some residents offered additional feedback. One suggested the Florida Panthers and Stanley Cup Parade find a spot on the wall. A second was glad to see change, writing: “The last was not very representative of the current or future Broward, but a past that was less inclusive.”
A third voter wanted things left alone: “Keep it as close to its current style us native still want some true substance of our heritage.”
Another voter suggested Broward go more natural, writing: “I am so excited to see this project considered. While the current mural has been long standing, I truly believe that we need a mural that speaks to the beauty that we call Broward County, from our beautiful beaches and the iconic wall along A1A to the Everglades and our beautiful sawgrass and natural animal habitat.”
“We have already received and are reviewing design proposals, which will be reviewed by the Public Art & Design committee and Cultural Council in January,” Dunlap said. The mural could be completed by the end of the month, he said.
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The Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority is providing $25,000 for the work, and Broward County’s contribution is to prep the wall with power-washing and priming, he said.
The current mural is composed of five historical scenes, beginning in the upper left- hand corner with the depiction of the paddleboat Wanderer that hauled cargo on the New River in the late 1800s. Next, going counter-clockwise, is the Stranahan and Company Trading Post, and its owners Frank and Ivy Stranahan, who were among the county’s first settlers.
The center of the mural is dominated by Gov. Broward, the county’s namesake, who was responsible for the building of canals to drain the Everglades to make Broward County habitable. Broward is surrounded by workers employed in the drainage project.
The opening of Dixie Highway in Dania in 1915 is depicted in the mural’s next segment, followed by a scene of Broward General Medical Center, established in 1938 as the county’s first public hospital.
The mural was created in 1988. While many in the public thought the artist touched up the piece in 2002 because it was battered by weather, the artist instead added Dr. James F. Sistrunk to the mural, Dunlap said.
Sistrunk was one of the first Black doctors in Fort Lauderdale. Sistrunk, for whom Northwest Sixth Street was renamed in 1971, succeeded Dr. Henry H. Green in 1922 as a physician dedicated to treating Black patients.
Known as “Doc Sistrunk,” he is credited with delivering 5,000 babies. Sistrunk was known for making home visits and looking the other way when someone could not afford his services.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on X, formerly Twitter, @LisaHuriash
