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Neighbors & Friends

LAUDERDALE MARINA

A Family Legacy

By James Fletcher

auderdale Marina has long been located here within The Drums are a half-century-old Rio Vista family, residents
the greater Rio Vista area. It is a legendary business, here since the early 1960s when Ted married Carol Clark,
L established decades ago on the Intracoastal stepdaughter of Bob Cox. Over the past fifty plus years,
Waterway, a local landmark we all have known for many Ted has been a driving force at the family’s Lauderdale
years. But do you know its history? Marina property, operated by The Shipyard, a
management company he started with his father-in-law in
In 1948, Bob Cox docked his sailboat Ungava at the Gulf 1976. Several expansions and redevelopment projects
Oil facility on the banks of the inland waterway at 15th have been undertaken over the decades, including the
Street, worked out a land-use deal with the company, and establishment of 15th Street Fisheries restaurant in 1978.
opened his own marina there. The property had previously
been used as a secret torpedo research facility of the Ted’s own family business, Drum Realty, was started in
United States Navy during WWII. 1951 by his father, Harlan Drum. The company has since
sold over one billion dollars in South Florida real estate.
Now seven decades later, Lauderdale Marina continues to Now headed by Ted’s son, Kelly Drum, the company is
thrive, still owned and operated by Cox family members
one of Fort Lauderdale’s most successful luxury real estate
led by patriarch Ted Drum. The marina and associated firms, selling multi-million dollar waterfront properties in
companies are all part of a diverse family business
Rio Vista, Las Olas and Harbor Beach. Kelly and his
portfolio and well respected within the Rio Vista community.

18 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com