Location
 North Fork Landmarks | Click photo for a larger version |
The African American Research Library and Cultural Center
The African American Research Library and Cultural Center opened its doors on October 26, 2002. Sam F. Morrison, Broward County Library system’s former director, was inspired by the idea of building a library like the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American History and Culture in Atlanta. However, the county’s budget allocation for the library was not enough to cover Sam Morrison dream library’s cost. Without any hesitation, Mr. Morrison embarked himself on an effort to promote and canalize economic support from public, private, philanthropic, and grassroots organizations.
As it was very important that the exterior and interior design characteristics of the building were a celebration of African American Culture, the library designers traveled to Ghana. There, they tried to acquire typological elements for the design from visiting business districts, historic places, and observing a variety of African art manifestations. Now that the library is a reality it can be said that its volume, façade, and interior design characteristics reflect important features of African American Culture.
The library collection was assembled one piece at a time. Some of actress Esther Rolle’s personal possessions, the complete Alex Haley Collection, the Council of Elders Collection, the Sixto Campano Sheet Music Collection, and the Dorothy Porter Wesley Collection, are part of the library treasures.
The African American Research Library and Cultural Center is a great opportunity for the North Fork of the New River community, no only by its intrinsic value as a library and cultural center, but because it has the potential of growing into a National landmark.
Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park
Originally developed in 1952 as a private three-hole golf course, the land was acquired by a business for dredging of bedrock material. Following dredging activities, the 29.3-acre property was donated to Broward County and thirteen acres were developed into a park. Officially opened as River Bend Park in June 1975, the park was renamed in 1979 to honor the Reverend Samuel Delevoe, one of Fort Lauderdale’s first African-American police officers. He was also a community activist, politician, businessperson, civil rights leader and street minister (Broward County, 2005. pp.2-12)
Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park is very important for the North Fork of the New river community because it allows people’s fundamental nature to reconnect to the river. Not long ago, the North Fork of the New River was pivotal to fulfill the people’s food, recreation, transportation, social, and spiritual needs. However, the river was neglected as well as the community. Segregation, inequity, and ignorance issues allowed for changes that negatively impacted the river’s water quality, and with it all live depending on it. Today, things are turning around and big efforts are been done to restore the river, hence the neighborhood. The Park, per se is a tangible step towards restoration of the community.
As an urban space the park goes from being a functional and very active space on land, to a calm and symbolic place on the waterway. The canoe/kayak launch, which was officially inaugurated by Broward County on August 24, 2002, allows for a gate to the river. The North Fork of the New River has a sequence of well-defined natural spaces, which are an exception to the existing built urban pattern. The park provides for functional spaces, such as: the walking trail, the covered picnic pavilion, the open playground, and the community center.
From a broader perspective, Delevoe Park’s connection to the waterway, is opening a window of opportunity for the North Fork of the new river restoration, therefore for the community’s social and economic redevelopment. As described by Work (2002), this three-and-a half mile stretch of the North Fork of the New River, largely hidden and undeveloped, is the last section of the 25-mile New River that remains in its undeveloped state. It has endured pollution at the hands of racism, ignorance, and poverty...Still, the North Fork is the last wild river, the last bit of untouched Everglades in urban Broward County (Work, 2002. pp. 68.) Hence, Delevoe Park is the community’s link to a unique ecotourism asset.
Helpful information about the park:
Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park is located at 2520 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale. It is a perfect setting for various activities such as:
- After school program
- Walking Club
- Christmas Feast
- Sistrunk Festival
- Winterfest
- Waterway Cleanups
- Chip-A-Tree Program
For more information you can contact the park.
(954)791-1036 More Info an pictures
The Barrel
Deborah Work (2002), who wrote The New River Cultural and Environmental Survey, introduces neighborhood historians that describe in their own words live and places in the North for of the New river. Walter Mickey Hinton, who was an infant when he arrived in Fort Lauderdale in 1938, remembers The Barrel.
“The Barrel was a body of water, maybe 32 feet long, and we would wade that. We figured we couldn’t drown in that, not knowing you could drown in any water. We figured ‘hey, we can stand up safe.’ It was around near where North Fork Elementary School sits, like 15th Avenue, about 10 feet of a rocky road. Palmettos was there then, see. And the river was just behind it. Now, it could have just been a little sink hole. When the tide came in, it left water there, and when the tide came out, it left water behind. We never caught no fish in it, but it always remained there and that’s why we called it The Barrel. Churches went to the river and had baptism there. They would just wade into the river.”
Eggeletion London, who was one of many people of the community baptized in the waters of “The Barrel, shares her experience.
“Where North Fork Elementary is? That was our baptismal pool, that little wading pool,” said Eggeletion, who belongs to Evergreen Baptist Church, the first Baptist Church west of the railroad tracks for black residents in the ‘50s. “And that’s where they used to baptize their members, in the North Fork of the New River, until way back in the ‘60s. I got memories of knowing the Lord back up in there, in that river. So I want you to know my dream, our dream: We want this river preserved”
The Sweeting Estate
The Sweeting Estate or better known by the community as the Garden of Allah was located at Northwest Fourth Street and Twenty-First Terrace. The owner, Harry Gladstone Sweeting was recognized by the community as a very generous person, who welcomed every body. His estate was the place of community-wide Eastern sunrise services, Christmas celebrations, and sorority teas. He was one of the first ones to contribute to the Sistrunk Historical Festival.
Lafayette Hart Park
This 1.9-acre site was named Washington Park when it opened in 1954. In 1992, the park was rededicated as Lafayette Hart at the request of the community. The park commemorates the late African-American businessperson and community activist who was a leader of the Washington Park Civic Association and a strong influence in the establishment of a county park in the neighborhood. Park amenities include a tennis court, a racquetball court, a basketball court, a picnic shelter, and a playground. Recently, a pedestrian bridge was constructed across the North Fork New River to connect the park with residents who live north of the river.
Lewis/Chisom Park the Two Spot’s original Location
In the 50’s, the Two Spot, has been described by people of the community as a lantern-lit nightclub that was sited on the banks of the North Fork of the New River. It was a place of gathering for orange pickers, and other members of the Community.
According to Frank Peterman: “There were lanterns strung around the area from the trees, giving it a festive look.” He remembers the juke joint set in the middle of cypress and pond apples, and streams spanned by old wooden bridges (Work, 2002.) This community landmark, which was destroyed by a fire, was replaced by the Lewis/Chisom Community Park.
Named for Lucian Lewis, Jr., and Phillip Chisom, Jr., two prominent African-American businesspersons, Lewis/Chisom Community Park is the North Fork’s newest public open space, dedicated on May 9, 2003. This 2.1-acre park on the banks of the North Fork New River provides an opportunity for residents to picnic, fish or just relax in the shade of large ficus trees.
The Swap Shop
In 1963, the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop opened its doors as a drive-in movie theater. Three years later, the owners Betty and Presto Henn added a weekend flea market. For that time, it was considered an innovative idea that provided new opportunities for small business owners. In 1979, the Swap Shop owners added a food court. Later on, they built a stage where concerts, and shows were presented to entertain the public, and as it was not enough they hired a circus that offered daily performances. The Circus was a big source of controversy, however. Animal rights activists developed a campaign to denounce animal cruelty, and exploitation, and to pressure business owners to cancel the show. "Thee Swap Shop Circus" was discontinued on August 2005.
Today, the 88 acre Swap Shop is advertised as the world's largest drive-in movie theater and daily flea market.