Broward County

It’s now home to a ginormous mall and a hockey arena. See Broward city years ago

By Miami Herald Archives
In 1988, a new City of Sunrise Sign on Sunrise Boulevard east of Sunset Strip.
In 1988, a new City of Sunrise Sign on Sunrise Boulevard east of Sunset Strip. Miami Herald File

Sunrise is now best known as the home of Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers, and Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest malls in the country.

But in the 1960s, the city started as a place to retire and play a round of golf. The first name, in fact, was Sunrise Golf Village.

As the city grew, so did the offerings as businesses and culture moved in. You may remember the Sunrise Muscial Theatre, where top acts of the day (and yesterday) like Steve and Eydie performed on stage.

In the 1990s, hordes of families moved into new suburban housing communities.

Let’s take a look at how Sunrise has looked through the years as we leaf through the photos in the Miami Herald archives:

Early years in Sunrise

The upside down house that promoted the city of Sunrise Golf Village.
The upside down house that promoted the city of Sunrise Golf Village. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
An early logo for Sunrise Golf Village.
An early logo for Sunrise Golf Village. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
Sunrise Golf Village in the early years.
Sunrise Golf Village in the early years. Miami Herald File

Sunrise Musical Theatre

A sign in front of Sunrise Musical Theatre in 1978.
A sign in front of Sunrise Musical Theatre in 1978. Miami Herald File
The inside of the Sunrise Musical Theatre.
The inside of the Sunrise Musical Theatre. Miami Herald File
A parking employee at Sunrise Musical Theatre turns away patrons after Frank Sinatra concert cancellation in 1985.
A parking employee at Sunrise Musical Theatre turns away patrons after Frank Sinatra concert cancellation in 1985. Alan Freund Miami Herald
In 1985, an orchestra performs on stage for kids at the Sunrise Musical Theatre.
In 1985, an orchestra performs on stage for kids at the Sunrise Musical Theatre. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
The west side of Sunrise Musical Theatre in 1985.
The west side of Sunrise Musical Theatre in 1985. Alan Freund Miami Herald

Sunrise street life

A strip shopping center in Sunrise in the mid-1980s.
A strip shopping center in Sunrise in the mid-1980s. Miami Herald File
A house in Sunrise in the mid-1980s.
A house in Sunrise in the mid-1980s. Miami Herald File
Dining choices along University Drive south of Sunset Strip in 1987.
Dining choices along University Drive south of Sunset Strip in 1987. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
Sunrise Lakes condo in 1992.
Sunrise Lakes condo in 1992. Miami Herald File

Sawgrass Mills

Crowds at Sawgrass Mills mall during opening day in October 1990.
Crowds at Sawgrass Mills mall during opening day in October 1990. Bob Eighmie Miami Herald File
In 2004, opening day at Wannado City theme park at Sawgrass Mills mall. Kids played out roles as firefighters, doctors, airplane pilots and chefs.
In 2004, opening day at Wannado City theme park at Sawgrass Mills mall. Kids played out roles as firefighters, doctors, airplane pilots and chefs. Bob Eighmie Miami Herald File
Moe Kaplan walks inside the Sawgrass Mills mall early in the morning before the stores open in 1993.
Moe Kaplan walks inside the Sawgrass Mills mall early in the morning before the stores open in 1993. A. Enrique Valentin Miami Herald File

Sunrise city services

Mayor John Lomelo outside the new Sunrise City Hall in 1979.
Mayor John Lomelo outside the new Sunrise City Hall in 1979. Miami Herald File
Early patches from city of Sunrise police.
Early patches from city of Sunrise police. Alan Freund Miami Herald File
David Henning, 3, of Sunrise is the first to “drive” a new rescue truck as the city of Sunrise officially opened its newest station across from the Sawgrass Mills mall.
David Henning, 3, of Sunrise is the first to “drive” a new rescue truck as the city of Sunrise officially opened its newest station across from the Sawgrass Mills mall. Miami Herlad File
Father Albert Klein of St. Bernard Catholic Church blesses one of four new City of Sunrise buses with holy water during christening ceremonies out side of City Hall in 1992.
Father Albert Klein of St. Bernard Catholic Church blesses one of four new City of Sunrise buses with holy water during christening ceremonies out side of City Hall in 1992. Beth A. Keiser Miami Herald File

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