The land now known as Fort Lauderdale was first inhabited by the Tequesta Indians more than a thousand years ago. Most of them died during the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Although the British began ruling in 1763 until the end of the Revolutionary War, this area was sparsely populated until the first U.S. Fort Lauderdale was built in 1838. In 1911, the City of Fort Lauderdale was incorporated. 100 years later, this sign along Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard was part of the centennial celebration. Broward County’s 100th birthday was in 2015.
