Fort Lauderdale Car Rentals and the Stranahan House
The past comes alive inside the historic Stranahan House in Fort Lauderdale, providing customers of Continental Fort Lauderdale Car Rentals with an intriguing look at past local happenings. Built back in 1901, the Stranahan House has served as a number of important Fort Lauderdale institutions. From it's humble beginnings as a family home to its central role as town post office and bank, the Stranahan House has undergone a number of self-renovations. Recently restored to its original condition, the Stranahan House now functions as one of Fort Lauderdale's main museums. A must-see southern Florida attraction, the Stranahan House was founded as a non-profit institution in 1984. Located along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Stranahan is easily accessible by foot or car rental, so don't miss your chance to check it out.
A house that keeps on giving
The Stranahan House has long been a part of the Fort Lauderdale community, providing visitors with a place to do business, socialize and entertain. Originally built as a trading post for settlers and the Seminole Indians in 1901, the Stranahan House quickly evolved into the area post office, community center and town hall. The original architect of the building, Frank Stranahan, selected the spot on New River because of its proximity to the local barge landing. The Stranahan House earned Frank a great amount of prestige during his lifetime, as he became the first postmaster, banker and businessperson of Fort Lauderdale. Stranahan would later marry a local pioneer woman by the name of Julia Cromartie. As of 1906, the Stranahan House was used primarily as a personal residence for the Stranahan family, until Ivy Stranahan's death in 1971. In 1973, the house was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The Fort Lauderdale Historic Society would later take possession of the house in 1979. A thorough restoration was performed and the house is now open to customers of Continental Fort Lauderdale Car Rentals for public viewing.
House highlights and interesting features
The Stranahan House contains a number of interesting architectural and structural features. Built entirely of Dade County pine, the house is a wonderful example of Florida vernacular architecture in a tropical wilderness setting. The house had been expanded and renovated many times during its lifetime, but the current configuration represents its original state. Highlights in the house including electric wiring, indoor plumbing, running water, interior stairways, bay windows and wide porches. Customers of Continental Fort Lauderdale Car Rentals will also notice beautiful woodwork floors and paneling. These features have been refinished and repainted to showoff the original white and green trimmings. A new roof has also been added to the house in order to meet local hurricane specifications. Fine examples of Victorian period furniture decorate the house along with a number of decorative items.
A part of Fort Lauderdale's blossoming downtown
Today, Stranahan House functions as the eastern anchor of Fort Lauderdale's acclaimed RiverWalk. Customers of Continental Fort Lauderdale Car Rentals are therefore invited to visit this historic landmark as part of a cultural exploration of the downtown area. Other exciting attractions along RiverWalk include the Performing Arts Center and the Museum of Discovery and Science. Admission to the Stranahan House is just $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children. Group tours of the house can be arranged in advance for any day of the week. Twelve or more people are required for a tour. Tours cost $7 per person.
If you're interested in learning more about the history of Fort Lauderdale during your upcoming Continental Fort Lauderdale Car Rentals vacation there's no better place to start than the Stranahan House. To learn more about his local legend please log onto the official Stranahan House website at www.stranahanhouse.org. The Stranahan House is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 3pm and Sundays from 1pm to 3pm. Customers of Continental Fort Lauderdale Car Rentals will find Stranahan House at the corner of Las Olas Boulevard and 6th Avenue. Parking is available at the Riverside Parking Garage.
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