If you visit Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center in Fort Lauderdale, take a closer look at the entrance the next time you arrive. On November 12, a Florida Historical Marker installation ceremony will honor the significant contributions of the famed Denison family.
The Florida Historical Marker program raises public awareness of the state’s cultural history. The markers are actual signs, detailing an event, an important location, or a person’s accomplishments. They convey the stories of people and places, from homes to battlefields, making the state what it is today.
Lauderdale Marine Center currently sits on the site of the former shipyard and home for the Denison family. The family continues to be renowned in yachting. Bob Denison, for instance, owns and operates Denison Yachting, a brokerage and charter firm. His brother Eddy, his father Kit, and his uncle Ken are all yacht brokers, too. Kit and Ken Denison are further the sons of Frank and Gertrude Denison (above), the founders of Broward Marine and forerunners in the industry. Opening its doors in 1948, Broward Marine built hundreds of yachts, along with military vessels, in wood and aluminum. It was particularly a pioneer in large-yacht construction. In fact, when Broward launched Lisa II (below) in 1957, she was the largest American-built yacht since World War II. LOA: 75 feet (22.86 meters). Furthermore, during the 1980s, Broward Marine delivered 80 aluminum yachts exceeding 80 feet (24 meters).
Last year, History Fort Lauderdale honored the Denison family with its History Makers Pioneer Family Award. The Florida Historical Marker installation will be at 2020 SW 20th Street, the east entrance to Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center. The Sea Cadets and U.S. Navy will be on hand for the ceremony, as will the shipyard staff, the Denison family, and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida.
“The importance of this marker is not because of the family who lived at its installation location, but rather the fact that so many lives were impacted and careers started at this very spot,” says Ken Denison. He adds that despite Broward County being 100 years old, only a handful of these markers exist. Furthermore, he says this is the first paying “homage to the pioneers of the yachting industry.”
Patricia Zeiler, executive director of History Fort Lauderdale, agrees. “Historically, this is a significant milestone and ultimate recognition for the City of Fort Lauderdale, the Denison family, and the thousands of residents and transplants who industriously built a lasting marine-industry legacy,” she asserts.
Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center shmarinas.com
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