Fort Lauderdale in Broward County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Colonial Hotel

Circa 1922

By Jay Kravetz, November 17, 2016

1. Colonial Hotel Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This building is one of only three remaining historical buildings on Brickell Avenue, the first commercial street of Ft. Lauderdale. Constructed as the Bivans Hotel in 1922, this building is the oldest surviving structure in Ft. Lauderdale built as a hotel and remaining in that continuous use until its acquisition by the School Board in 1983. It was renamed the Colonial Hotel in the early 1930s, the name it retained until 1972. As the Bivans Hotel it contained the Palm Cafe and Electric Maid Bake Shop.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.

Location. 26° 7.204′ N, 80° 8.677′ W. Marker is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in Broward County. Marker is on Southwest 1st Avenue south of Southwest 2nd Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 SW 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale FL 33301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Museum Building (a few steps from this marker); Philemon Nathaniel Bryan House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); King-Cromartie House (about 400 feet away);

By Jay Kravetz, November 17, 2016

2. Colonial Hotel Marker

Oliver Building (about 500 feet away); Shippey House (about 500 feet away); Old Fort Lauderdale Village (about 500 feet away); Replica 1899 School House (about 600 feet away); Early 19th Century British Admiralty Anchor (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Lauderdale.

<i>Colonial Hotel, 211 S.W. First Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by L.L. Cook Co. Postcards, Milwaukee, circa 1940

3. Colonial Hotel, 211 S.W. First Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

The back of the card reads:
One block from the River
One block from City Park
One block from the Theaters
One block from the Post Office
One block from East Coast Railway Station
Five minutes to Ocean Beach
Thirty minutes to Miami
Rates Reasonable

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2016, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 11, 2016, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on December 12, 2016. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.