Is Hallandale Beach really named after a hall in a dale? Not quite. We’re standing here at Hallandale Beach, a city drenched in sunshine and history. It all began in the late 1890s with a man named Luther Halland. He wasn’t a beach bum or a tan-seeking tourist. He was the son of a Swedish worker for the legendary Henry Flagler, the railroad tycoon who put Florida on the map. Luther saw the potential of this coastal haven and decided to settle down south of Dania. He envisioned a town blessed with a frost-free climate and land ripe for the taking. And so, Hallandale, as it was originally known, was born. The town steadily grew, attracting farmers seeking fertile land and a peaceful existence. By the turn of the century, a dozen families called this place home. They were a diverse bunch, with Swedish, English, and African American families creating a vibrant community. But Hallandale wasn’t always about beaches and sunshine. The early residents mainly saw the beach as a place for leisure, focusing their efforts on agriculture. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the town’s focus shifted to tourism. With the official name change to Hallandale Beach in 1999, the city embraced its coastal identity.
Glenn Hubert Library
What secrets lie hidden within the walls of a university library? Right here in North Miami, the Glenn Hubert Library