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STONEHENGE

LAS OLAS

By Donna Gilbert

The Mystery of the

History of Las Olas

Monuments

ith the recent reconstruction of one of
the 6 stone monumental pillars that
Wadorn the South Side of what is now
Las Olas Isles, we thought a trip back in time to
uncover the history of these stone monuments
would be interesting and appropriate. What I
found, however, is that only a tiny bit of evidence
still exists about the actual development,
installation and meaning of these stone works.
I contacted the historical society, city officials,
developers and other long-time residents only to
uncover there is still quite a bit of mystery
surrounding the history of these pieces. I even walked up feet on the canals adorned with Coconut Palms and
to one of the stone monuments, leaned into it, and tried to Australian Pines. The C.C Ausherman Co. advertised the
‘Outlander’ my way back to 1925. It didn’t work, initial offerings of these new waterfront sites on January
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however, and I am still in 2019 trying to unearth what on 22, 1925. In March of 1925 the Fort Lauderdale News
earth these monuments really mean - Venetian Columns to featured an article about “Stone Columns to Adorn
light up Venice Isles or Memorials for WW1 soldiers, or a Venice” and an ad to take a sea plane ride to see “Venice
bit of both? Seems as though any archival documents or without fail.” Cape Cod & Florida Realty, who provided
photos specific to the stone pillars have disappeared, gone the sea plane rides, also hired contractor Holson “for the
with the wind of the 1926 hurricane. erection of Venetian Stone columns at all entrances to
Venice which was recently acquired by this concern….” 2
Las Olas Blvd was constructed In 1917. In the 1920’s, Part of this article was cut off, so I have acquired a
Fort Lauderdale real estate was booming and part of that concern about the rest of the information. In April 1925,
was our very own Venice. A developer named Charles G. an article in the Fort Lauderdale News described more
Rodes studied the parallel canal system of Venice and hydroplane rides to see Venice and described in more
used the technique called Finger Islanding to dredge what detail how the stone pillars will have ornamental arches for
was then Venice or Isles of Venice and what is now Las flood lights on each of the pillars. Based on this evidence,
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Olas Isles. There are a few references in news clippings these six (6) columns with pairs of eagles on top were
from 1925 of erecting Venetian stone pillars at the entry inspired by Venice and constructed sometime during the
ways of Venice. But no date of construction or completion Venice Isles building boom from 1925 onward. Remnants
could be found.
of bronze plates are still affixed to the columns. But what
Real Estate ads in the Fort Lauderdale News beginning in do the birds on top mean and are they original to the
January 1925 describe waterfront lots at Venice with 50 mid-1920s? Or were they added later as memorials to

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