Broward County

From two-lane outpost to Broward boomtown. Take a look at city in 1950s and ’60s

By Miami Herald Archives
typical Street Scene in Miramar in 1961, when the population was 7,000 and houses started at $9,000 to attract retired families.
typical Street Scene in Miramar in 1961, when the population was 7,000 and houses started at $9,000 to attract retired families. Miami Herald File

If Miramar was a car, it would be one of those high-performance models that goes from 0 to 60 in no time.

Founded in 1955 with less than 200 people, the Southwest Broward city now claims about 140,000 residents and counting.

When Miramar became a city, U.S. 441 was a two-lane road and Miramar’s only major artery. Retired people flocked to the new outpost, just west of Hallandale.

Today, both I-75 and Florida’s Turnpike run through Miramar, and I-95 and the Sawgrass Expressway aren’t far away.

And the city is booming with a diverse population, and lots of commerce and culture.

Miramar, equal distance from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, was even dubbed a “Boomburg” by Planning magazine in 2009.

Welcome to Miramar sign in 1999.
Welcome to Miramar sign in 1999. Miami Herald File

Let’s take a look at how Miramar looked in the early years as we flip through photos from the Miami Herald Archives:

In 1954, Hallandale Mayor Foster Ingalls, left, wields a shovel in ground-breaking ceremonies that mark the start of Miramar’s water plant, designed to serve the 4,000 home community going up just west of Hallandale. Ingalls gets a hand from Robert W. Gordon, right, of Hollywood, president of the Miramar Corp. which is building the development.
In 1954, Hallandale Mayor Foster Ingalls, left, wields a shovel in ground-breaking ceremonies that mark the start of Miramar’s water plant, designed to serve the 4,000 home community going up just west of Hallandale. Ingalls gets a hand from Robert W. Gordon, right, of Hollywood, president of the Miramar Corp. which is building the development. Miami Herald File
Miramar Recreation Center in the 1950s.
Miramar Recreation Center in the 1950s. Miami Herald File
Miramar’s first mayor, Robert W. Gordon, appointed by Governor Thomas Leroy Collins in May 1955.
Miramar’s first mayor, Robert W. Gordon, appointed by Governor Thomas Leroy Collins in May 1955. Miami Herald File
The Miramar Diner in 1999.
The Miramar Diner in 1999. J. Albert Diaz Miami Herald File
A new Miramar model home at Franklin Farms in 1986.
A new Miramar model home at Franklin Farms in 1986. Miami Herald File
In 2007, Miramar Police Officer Bernard Bomba poses next to a real 1954 police car wearing an authentic Miramar police uniform from 1955.
In 2007, Miramar Police Officer Bernard Bomba poses next to a real 1954 police car wearing an authentic Miramar police uniform from 1955. Eileen Soler Miami Herald File
Sol and Esther Levy at the Valentine’s dance for senior citizens at the Miramar Recreation center in 1982.
Sol and Esther Levy at the Valentine’s dance for senior citizens at the Miramar Recreation center in 1982. Miami Herald File
Miramar in 1965.
Miramar in 1965. Miami Herald File
Miramar in 1960.
Miramar in 1960. Miami Herald File

This story was originally published June 2, 2025 at 7:36 AM.

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