Spanish Arrival
Spanish explorers arrived in southeastern Florida in the early 16th century. While they primarily focused on St. Augustine and other northern settlements, the Fort Lauderdale area was noted for its rivers and coastal access, serving as a strategic landmark for navigation.
European contact introduced diseases, forced labor, and cultural disruption, which decimated the Tequesta population over the centuries. Missionary efforts aimed to convert Indigenous people, further altering traditional ways of life.
British and French Interests
During periods of British and French influence in Florida, the southeast coast, including Fort Lauderdale, remained sparsely settled but strategically important for trade, shipping, and access to the Atlantic.
American Settlement and Early Forts
Florida Becomes a U.S. Territory
Following Spain’s cession of Florida in 1821, American settlers explored the southeast coast. The area that would become Fort Lauderdale was attractive for its fertile land, waterways, and strategic military value.
The Second Seminole War
During the Second Seminole War (1835–1842), the U.S. Army established a series of forts along the southeastern coast, including Fort Lauderdale, named after Major William Lauderdale, who commanded troops in the region. The fort served as a military outpost to protect settlers and patrol waterways, playing a key role in the U.S. campaign against the Seminole resistance.
Early Settlers
After the fort was abandoned, settlers began establishing communities along the New River. They engaged in fishing, small-scale agriculture, and trade, gradually creating a foothold for future urban development. shutdown123