. jAlbum 9 FORT LAUDERDALE — On Sept. 18, 1926, a hurricane pummeled the city with 140 mph winds and killed 12 people. At the time, developers Woods, Hoskins & Young, Inc. were making big money selling Croissant Park lots on the south side of the city. Fearing that the news of the hurricane would scare off potential buyers, the company put out a booklet of before and after photos. Most of the images were taken south of Davie Boulevard and north of Broward General. The booklet appears here in its entirety. --- IMPORTANT: Hit "Original" at bottom right of photo windows to enjoy MUCH larger images! -- Cal Deal slides/01.Hurricane-Images-Map.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 KEY TO PHOTO LOCATIONS. After you open this image, hit "Original" at lower right and a large map will open. (Use the zoom tool.) Keep the map open for reference. The numbers in the red bullets appear at the beginnings of the captions. Navigate the large "Original" images with your arrow keys. KEY TO PHOTO LOCATIONS. After you open this image, hit "Original" at lower right and a large map will open. (Use the zoom tool.) Keep the map open for reference. The numbers in the red bullets appear at the beginnings of the captions. Navigate the large "Original" images with your arrow keys. slides/01.Hurricane-Images-Map.jpg slides/ColorCover.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Only one copy of this booklet is known to exist. It is in the archive of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. Many thanks to Chris Barfield, the Collections Manager, for making these important scans. Only one copy of this booklet is known to exist. It is in the archive of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. Many thanks to Chris Barfield, the Collections Manager, for making these important scans. slides/ColorCover.jpg slides/CPP-01.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 slides/CPP-01.jpg slides/CPP-02.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #2) Built in 1923, the Croissant Park Administration Building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Croissant's salesmen used to bring customers onto the roof to view their property. (Key #2) Built in 1923, the Croissant Park Administration Building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Croissant's salesmen used to bring customers onto the roof to view their property. slides/CPP-02.jpg slides/CPP-03.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #2) (Key #2) slides/CPP-03.jpg slides/CPP-04.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #4) Alvarado Street (SE 13th) just east of Valentine Avenue (SE 3rd). 2011 UPDATE: The building at right is the law office of Jennings & Valancy, P.A. The building at left is the law office of Simons & Spatz. It sits on the northeast corner of SE 3 Ave and SE 13 St. (Key #4) Alvarado Street (SE 13th) just east of Valentine Avenue (SE 3rd). 2011 UPDATE: The building at right is the law office of Jennings & Valancy, P.A. The building at left is the law office of Simons & Spatz. It sits on the northeast corner of SE 3 Ave and SE 13 St. slides/CPP-04.jpg slides/CPP-05.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #4) (Key #4) slides/CPP-05.jpg slides/CPP-06.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #6) This is Frank Croissant's dream project, the million-dollar Croissantania Hotel just south of Ponjola Street (SE 14th). This view is looking south on Rose Avenue (today's SE 2nd Ave). Croissant's dream was shattered by the 1926 hurricane and the bust that followed. The hotel was never completed. Single-family homes were later built on the property, but were razed to provide hospital parking. 2011 UPDATE: Today this is the parking lot of the Broward General Emergency Room and Heart Center of Excellence. (Key #6) This is Frank Croissant's dream project, the million-dollar Croissantania Hotel just south of Ponjola Street (SE 14th). This view is looking south on Rose Avenue (today's SE 2nd Ave). Croissant's dream was shattered by the 1926 hurricane and the bust that followed. The hotel was never completed. Single-family homes were later built on the property, but were razed to provide hospital parking. 2011 UPDATE: Today this is the parking lot of the Broward General Emergency Room and Heart Center of Excellence. slides/CPP-06.jpg slides/CPP-07.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #6) (Key #6) slides/CPP-07.jpg slides/CPP-08.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #8) Ross Avenue is today's SE 1 Ave. Ponjola Street (SE 14th) runs from left to right. 2011 UPDATE: The first building at left is gone and a nursing home stands on that corner. The second building stands in the United Way parking lot at SE 13 St. The building in the distance is an apartment building. It was lovingly restored in 2010 by Julie and Tim Hager. The home on Ross Avenue is still occupied, but the 1926 storm knocked down the second floor of the building in back. At right is the Law Office of Hilliard Moldof, 1311 SE 2 Ave. And note the median — it's still there! (Key #8) Ross Avenue is today's SE 1 Ave. Ponjola Street (SE 14th) runs from left to right. 2011 UPDATE: The first building at left is gone and a nursing home stands on that corner. The second building stands in the United Way parking lot at SE 13 St. The building in the distance is an apartment building. It was lovingly restored in 2010 by Julie and Tim Hager. The home on Ross Avenue is still occupied, but the 1926 storm knocked down the second floor of the building in back. At right is the Law Office of Hilliard Moldof, 1311 SE 2 Ave. And note the median — it's still there! slides/CPP-08.jpg slides/CPP-09.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #8) (Key #8) slides/CPP-09.jpg slides/CPP-10.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #10) This is looking southwest at the intersection of Ross Avenue (SE 1st) and Alvarado Street (SE 13th). 2011 UPDATE: The huge house at right sits where the United Way headquarters is today. Andrews Avenue is on the far side of it. The building at left is still there and surrounded by United Way parking lot. It appears to have been a garage and maybe apartments. (Key #10) This is looking southwest at the intersection of Ross Avenue (SE 1st) and Alvarado Street (SE 13th). 2011 UPDATE: The huge house at right sits where the United Way headquarters is today. Andrews Avenue is on the far side of it. The building at left is still there and surrounded by United Way parking lot. It appears to have been a garage and maybe apartments. slides/CPP-10.jpg slides/CPP-11.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #10) (Key #10) slides/CPP-11.jpg slides/CPP-12.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #11) This is looking northwest on SW 1 Ave at SW 16 St. 2011 UPDATE: Today's Antique Car Museum is located on this block, just off to the right. This building still exists in greatly modified form. (Key #11) This is looking northwest on SW 1 Ave at SW 16 St. 2011 UPDATE: Today's Antique Car Museum is located on this block, just off to the right. This building still exists in greatly modified form. slides/CPP-12.jpg slides/CPP-13.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #11) (Key #11) slides/CPP-13.jpg slides/CPP-14.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Location unknown. Location unknown. slides/CPP-14.jpg slides/CPP-15.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Location unknown. Location unknown. slides/CPP-15.jpg slides/CPP-16.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #16) 2011 UPDATE: This building now houses the Fertig & Gramling law firm, 200 SE 13 St. The view is to the southeast. When the house was converted to office use, it was merged with the building at right. (Key #16) 2011 UPDATE: This building now houses the Fertig & Gramling law firm, 200 SE 13 St. The view is to the southeast. When the house was converted to office use, it was merged with the building at right. slides/CPP-16.jpg slides/CPP-17.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (South of Key #16) 2011 UPDATE: This shows the building in the previous picture at a different angle, looking northeast. The Fertig & Gramling law firm is there. These buildings were merged into one structure for use as an office. (South of Key #16) 2011 UPDATE: This shows the building in the previous picture at a different angle, looking northeast. The Fertig & Gramling law firm is there. These buildings were merged into one structure for use as an office. slides/CPP-17.jpg slides/CPP-18.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #18) 2011 UPDATE: This is believed to be the northeast corner of today's SW 14 Street and SW 1st Avenue. Until recently, Eastside Antique Market & Architectural Depot was located there. The address is 99 SW 14 Street — a large, pink building. It also used to be an Odd Fellows Hall. (Key #18) 2011 UPDATE: This is believed to be the northeast corner of today's SW 14 Street and SW 1st Avenue. Until recently, Eastside Antique Market & Architectural Depot was located there. The address is 99 SW 14 Street — a large, pink building. It also used to be an Odd Fellows Hall. slides/CPP-18.jpg slides/CPP-19.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #18) (Key #18) slides/CPP-19.jpg slides/CPP-20.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #20) Frank Croissant built this house for his mother, Mrs. Sarah Croissant, in 1925. She lived here until she died of a heart attack on Nov. 16, 1940. She was buried in a family plot in Jacksonville. Frank Croissant eventually moved into the house and died there in 1956. He is buried in Lauderdale Memorial Park. 2011 UPDATE: Today the building is a mustardy yellow color and houses the law firm of Ira Marcus. (Key #20) Frank Croissant built this house for his mother, Mrs. Sarah Croissant, in 1925. She lived here until she died of a heart attack on Nov. 16, 1940. She was buried in a family plot in Jacksonville. Frank Croissant eventually moved into the house and died there in 1956. He is buried in Lauderdale Memorial Park. 2011 UPDATE: Today the building is a mustardy yellow color and houses the law firm of Ira Marcus. slides/CPP-20.jpg slides/CPP-21.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #20) (Key #20) slides/CPP-21.jpg slides/CPP-22.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Ave. Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Ave. slides/CPP-22.jpg slides/CPP-23.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Ave. Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Ave. slides/CPP-23.jpg slides/CPP-24.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4th Avenue. Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4th Avenue. slides/CPP-24.jpg slides/CPP-25.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4th Avenue. Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4th Avenue. slides/CPP-25.jpg slides/CPP-26.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #26) 2011 UPDATE: This is looking northeast across today's SE 3 Ave, which runs diagonally into the distance at left, and SE 13 Street (note the median!). The Law Offices of Sheldon Schlesinger are located where the buildings are at far left. The building behind the telephone pole houses United Reporting, a court reporting service. The building behind the big tree is the law office of Simons & Spatz, and the building at far right houses the law firm of Jennings & Valancy, P.A. (Key #26) 2011 UPDATE: This is looking northeast across today's SE 3 Ave, which runs diagonally into the distance at left, and SE 13 Street (note the median!). The Law Offices of Sheldon Schlesinger are located where the buildings are at far left. The building behind the telephone pole houses United Reporting, a court reporting service. The building behind the big tree is the law office of Simons & Spatz, and the building at far right houses the law firm of Jennings & Valancy, P.A. slides/CPP-26.jpg slides/CPP-27.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #26) (Key #26) slides/CPP-27.jpg slides/CPP-28.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Avenue. Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Avenue. slides/CPP-28.jpg slides/CPP-29.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Avenue. Exact location unknown. Turner Avenue is today's SW 1 Avenue. slides/CPP-29.jpg slides/CPP-30.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #30) A wonderful view of South Andrews, looking north from today's SW 15th Street. Note the fate of Broward Electric in the "after" photo. The home Frank Croissant built for his Mom IN 1925 is visible above the word "ELECTRIC." (Key #30) A wonderful view of South Andrews, looking north from today's SW 15th Street. Note the fate of Broward Electric in the "after" photo. The home Frank Croissant built for his Mom IN 1925 is visible above the word "ELECTRIC." slides/CPP-30.jpg slides/CPP-31.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #30) (Key #30) slides/CPP-31.jpg slides/CPP-32.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4 Avenue. Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4 Avenue. slides/CPP-32.jpg slides/CPP-33.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4 Avenue. Exact location unknown. Lauderdale Boulevard is today's SW 4 Avenue. slides/CPP-33.jpg slides/CPP-34.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #34) Today's First Christian Church, 201 SE 13 St., was under construction at left when the storm hit. At right is the shell of a parsonage. This is one of the earliest images of the 40-foot-wide SE 13 Street median, which is in the foreground. At far left you can see the upper floor of a building which still stands at 1215 SE 2 Avenue, just south of Davie Boulevard. It was an apartment building, but today it is used for offices. (Key #34) Today's First Christian Church, 201 SE 13 St., was under construction at left when the storm hit. At right is the shell of a parsonage. This is one of the earliest images of the 40-foot-wide SE 13 Street median, which is in the foreground. At far left you can see the upper floor of a building which still stands at 1215 SE 2 Avenue, just south of Davie Boulevard. It was an apartment building, but today it is used for offices. slides/CPP-34.jpg slides/CPP-35.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #34) A good shot of the median, with the eastbound lane of SE 13 Street in the foreground. In 2004 — without the neighborhood's prior knowledge — this historic median was turned into what is essentially a private parking lot for nearby businesses. I am hoping the city will formally rule the remaining medians off limits to development, and preserve them forever as green space. (Key #34) A good shot of the median, with the eastbound lane of SE 13 Street in the foreground. In 2004 — without the neighborhood's prior knowledge — this historic median was turned into what is essentially a private parking lot for nearby businesses. I am hoping the city will formally rule the remaining medians off limits to development, and preserve them forever as green space. slides/CPP-35.jpg slides/CPP-36.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #36) Another rare and interesting view of Frank Croissant's million-dollar Croissantania Hotel project on Ponjola Street, today's SE 14 Street. You are looking east down 14th from the west side of Andrews Avenue. (Note the median — it's still there in 2011!) The hotel is on property that today is the Emergency Room parking lot of Broward General. (Key #36) Another rare and interesting view of Frank Croissant's million-dollar Croissantania Hotel project on Ponjola Street, today's SE 14 Street. You are looking east down 14th from the west side of Andrews Avenue. (Note the median — it's still there in 2011!) The hotel is on property that today is the Emergency Room parking lot of Broward General. slides/CPP-36.jpg slides/CPP-37.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 (Key #36) (Key #36) slides/CPP-37.jpg slides/CPP-38.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 This is waaaayy out of the neighborhood and down by today's international airport. The Texaco station at right is where SE 33 Street intersects Andrews Avenue today. The site is a couple of blocks north of I-595. Skinny little Dixie Highway goes off to the right. Big fat Andrews Avenue goes off to the left. Frank Croissant widened Andrews to 100 feet to lure travelers into his Croissant Park development, where eager salespeople were waiting. The widened road was dedicated in January 1926. At the time, Dixie Highway was a mere 18 feet wide! This is waaaayy out of the neighborhood and down by today's international airport. The Texaco station at right is where SE 33 Street intersects Andrews Avenue today. The site is a couple of blocks north of I-595. Skinny little Dixie Highway goes off to the right. Big fat Andrews Avenue goes off to the left. Frank Croissant widened Andrews to 100 feet to lure travelers into his Croissant Park development, where eager salespeople were waiting. The widened road was dedicated in January 1926. At the time, Dixie Highway was a mere 18 feet wide! slides/CPP-38.jpg slides/CPP-39.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 slides/CPP-39.jpg slides/CPP-40.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 Note the Courthouse and City Hall are on the west side of Andrews. Dixie Highway is now Miami Road east of Federal — much of which had not been built yet. The construction of Federal had a big impact on the businesses along Andrews. Lauderdale Blvd. is today's SW 4th Avenue. Note the Courthouse and City Hall are on the west side of Andrews. Dixie Highway is now Miami Road east of Federal — much of which had not been built yet. The construction of Federal had a big impact on the businesses along Andrews. Lauderdale Blvd. is today's SW 4th Avenue. slides/CPP-40.jpg slides/CPP-41.html# Sun, 22 May 2011 19:29:23 -0400 An extraordinary panorama of downtown Fort Lauderdale, looking northeast, taken within hours of the hurricane. Las Olas goes off into the distance at right, where you can see the Pioneer Department Store. It sits on the corner of SE 3rd Avenue. Left of center you can see Andrews Avenue go off into the distance, and at left, you can see what is, in 2011, the Riverfront area -- the city's original business district. For a larger version of this image, go to http://www.fortlauderdaleobserver.com/pix/panorama1926.pdf . An extraordinary panorama of downtown Fort Lauderdale, looking northeast, taken within hours of the hurricane. Las Olas goes off into the distance at right, where you can see the Pioneer Department Store. It sits on the corner of SE 3rd Avenue. Left of center you can see Andrews Avenue go off into the distance, and at left, you can see what is, in 2011, the Riverfront area -- the city's original business district. For a larger version of this image, go to http://www.fortlauderdaleobserver.com/pix/panorama1926.pdf . slides/CPP-41.jpg