Cultural Resources
The Broward County Preservation Program in partnership with the Broward County Preservation Board is responsible for assisting with the preservation of past cultural resources throughout Broward County. This includes over 255 archaeological sites on land and underwater, more than 70 are protected by local ordinance. These locations of human history are protected with the assistance of private landowners and public land managers.
Archaeological sites recorded within Broward County represent the deep and diverse history of life along the Atlantic Ocean and in the Everglades. The earliest inhabitants lived in the area at least as early as 10,000 years ago. The Tequesta, Jeaga, and other Native American groups met the first Europeans and Africans that came to Florida. Like their ancestors, they managed and lived from land and water resources in the area.
After about 1500 - the post-contact period - archaeological sites in the county represent the history of numerous culture groups including Native Americans, European Americans, African Americans, and groups from other places in the Americas.
Visit Broward Archaeology
Locals and visitors alike recognize the S.S. Copenhagen as a beautiful dive site that supports a rich underwater ecosystem. The 325-foot-long single-screw steamer was launched in 1898 from England. The ship was wrecked in 1900 on a voyage from Philadelphia bound for Havana off-shore from the Town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The S.S. Copenhagen in the state’s fifth Underwater Archaeology Preserve and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The preserve is in 16-31 ft. of water and open to the public.
Long Key is an elevated oak hammock that formed an island surrounded by Everglades marshes. The island has been home to the Tequesta, Seminole, and early citrus farmers. Visit the nature center and learn about the history and lives of Broward County’s earliest inhabitants as well as our more recent past.
Past cultural resources include cemeteries like Woodlawn Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale. This African American cemetery was founded in the early 1900s. It is the final resting place of many residents of Fort Lauderdale and Broward county and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit and pay respect to those who helped build Broward communities.
Pompano Beach Mound is an example of the many shell and earthen mounds and habitation sites that were constructed by Native Americans in Broward county. The location was used as early as 2,500 years ago and people lived in the village as late as the 1700s. The mound was set aside as a park in 1926 and represents early historic preservation in the City of Pompano Beach and Broward County. Today, Pompano Mound is on the National Register of Historic Places.
