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STONEHENGE continued

soldiers? And were the bronze plates some sort
of memorial or part of the lights that were
mentioned in the proposed design?
The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society spent
many hours researching and found a Broward
Legacy article from 1923 that mentions the
”dedication of Las Olas was that of a monument
to the veterans of WW1”…a center row of
Royal Palms were planted and the boulevard
was referred to as Memorial Drive. In a June
1927 article of the Fort Lauderdale News, “it
was decided to make Las Olas Blvd a memorial
instead of erecting monuments to soldiers of this
city who have died in past wars.” So given this
information, is it safe to assume the six stone
pillars were already erected by 1927? Or were
they put on hold due to the 1926 hurricane?
There was a plaque from the American Legion
that was erected, later lost, and then found
again in 1964 during a seawall repair and
placed at its original location on Las Olas. A
Miami Herald article declared the Memorial Dr.
section of Las Olas that runs from Sospiro Canal
4
to SE 23rd Avenue. But nowhere do these
documents mention the six stone pillars along the
South Side of Las Olas Isles. With that, it seems
safe for one to conclude that these six stone
structures were probably part of the original
Venice development.

If any history buff out there or one of you long-
time locals has documents, photos or knowledge
about the these stone pillars, please write us at
publisher@lasolasmag.com. We welcome your
historical knowledge and would appreciate any
light you shed on this mystery of the history of
these Las Olas monuments.
(1925, January 20) Announcing the First Offering of “Home Sites” and “Water
1
Fronts”…Fort Lauderdale Sentinel, accessed at
https://www.newspapers.com/image228445749/
(1925, March 28). Stone Columns To Adorn Venice. Fort Lauderdale News, accessed
2
at https://www.newpapers.com/image/228461233/
3 (2018, January 25). Parks And Recreation, City of Fort Lauderdale, Summary
Report of Preliminary findings- Las Olas Monuments, Emery McKesson Heritage
Conservation, Melbourne Fl.
4 (1935, May 10). World War Vets To Honor Dead With Plaque, Bronze Tablet
Unveiling On Las Olas Boulevard Set for May 30. Fort Lauderdale Daily News, accessed
at https://www.newspapers.com/image/230159682

22 LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES