Broward County

See what a new South Florida suburb looked like in the 1960s and ’70s

By Miami Herald Archives
The Coral Springs Hills section of the city as it looked in 1965.
The Coral Springs Hills section of the city as it looked in 1965. Miami Herald File

More than 60 years ago, a new suburb was born.

Coral Springs gave families a chance to build new homes -- and build a city.

James S. Hunt and Joe Taravella of Coral Ridge Properties “had the vision to create a planned city from the ground up,” according to the city’s history.

“To draw interest in the land that was sometimes considered “too far out,” they constructed a covered bridge and recruited talk show host Johnny Carson for a land sale BBQ,” according to the city’s website.

At first, there was a lot of empty space. Now, Coral Springs, considered a suburb of Fort Lauderdale but attracting Miami commuters as well, is a packed city with plenty of culture, recreation and business.

Let’s take a look at what Coral Springs looked like in the early years from the photo archives of the Miami Herald:

Home sales

A home sale event in 1964 in Coral Springs.
A home sale event in 1964 in Coral Springs. Miami Herald File
Coral Springs home sales tally board on a bridge in 1965.
Coral Springs home sales tally board on a bridge in 1965. Miami Herald File
In 1987, a new home by Hugins Construction Corp. in the Pine Grove neighborhood Coral Springs.
In 1987, a new home by Hugins Construction Corp. in the Pine Grove neighborhood Coral Springs. Miami Herald File

From the air

The Coral Springs Hills section of the city as it looked in 1965.
The Coral Springs Hills section of the city as it looked in 1965. Miami Herald File
Coral Springs from the air in 1971.
Coral Springs from the air in 1971. Miami Herald File

Business

The Coral Springs Financial Plaza in 1984.
The Coral Springs Financial Plaza in 1984. Miami Herald File
Angela Mann, owner of Carl’s Discount Pharmacy in Coral Springs, works the drive-through window in 1993.
Angela Mann, owner of Carl’s Discount Pharmacy in Coral Springs, works the drive-through window in 1993. Bob Eighmie Miami Herald File

Neighborhoods

A Coral Springs cellphone antenna pole disguised as a pine tree in 1999.
A Coral Springs cellphone antenna pole disguised as a pine tree in 1999. Miami Herald File
Another view of a Coral Springs cellphone pole disguised as a pine tree.
Another view of a Coral Springs cellphone pole disguised as a pine tree. Miami Herald File
Coral Springs’ Sunrise Towers in 1985.
Coral Springs’ Sunrise Towers in 1985. Miami Herald File
A Coral Springs neighborhood, Maplewood, in 1977.
A Coral Springs neighborhood, Maplewood, in 1977. Miami Herald File
A resident and horse in 1974 in Coral Springs.
A resident and horse in 1974 in Coral Springs. Miami Herald File
A Coral Springs school in 1974.
A Coral Springs school in 1974. Miami Herald File
In 1974, a sign in Coral Springs.
In 1974, a sign in Coral Springs. Miami Herald File
A Coral Springs street in 1974.
A Coral Springs street in 1974. Miami Herald File
Coral Springs land in 1974.
Coral Springs land in 1974. Miami Herald File
A child plays in Coral Springs in 1974.
A child plays in Coral Springs in 1974. Miami Herald File

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