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Fort Lauderdale looked like that? See the old stores and restaurants along Las Olas

Jeff Kleinman

Places change. And the Las Olas area of Fort Lauderdale certainly has through the years.

The business district is now dotted with outdoor cafes. High-rise towers glisten in the distance. There’s a lot more traffic. And construction. Lots of construction.

Let’s take a look at how Las Olas looked decades ago through the photo archives of the Miami Herald:

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Las Olas bars and restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

Diners at Mark’s Las Olas restaurant in 1999.
Diners at Mark’s Las Olas restaurant in 1999.
The outside dining area of Mangos in 1994.
The outside dining area of Mangos in 1994.
Mango in 1993, at the corner of Las Olas and Ninth Street.
Mango in 1993, at the corner of Las Olas and Ninth Street.
At the Riverside Hotel, 620 Las Olas Blvd., bartender John Hughes mixes drinks and talks with customers.
At the Riverside Hotel, 620 Las Olas Blvd., bartender John Hughes mixes drinks and talks with customers.

Las Olas Art Festival

Las Olas Art Festival in Bubier Park, across from the Museum of Art in 1992.
Las Olas Art Festival in Bubier Park, across from the Museum of Art in 1992.
In 1987, crowds gather at the Winterfest activities that include Bob Hope appearance at Las Olas and A1A.
In 1987, crowds gather at the Winterfest activities that include Bob Hope appearance at Las Olas and A1A.
Las Olas Art Festival in 1979.
Las Olas Art Festival in 1979.

Las Olas streetscapes

Las Olas Boulevard near downtown Fort Lauderdale in 1994.
Las Olas Boulevard near downtown Fort Lauderdale in 1994.
Strollers on the sidewalk at the corner of Las Olas and A1A in 1979.
Strollers on the sidewalk at the corner of Las Olas and A1A in 1979.
The lunch-time trolley service in 1991, on Las Olas and Eighth Avenue.
The lunch-time trolley service in 1991, on Las Olas and Eighth Avenue.
Early days of the Las Olas Bridge.
Early days of the Las Olas Bridge.
This 1925 Photo of Fort Lauderdale beach looking north to the Las Olas Boulevard bridge shows some of the islands that have since disappeared under the water. Directly south of the bridge is the beginnings of the Idlewyld subdivision; the bottom of the picture is now Harbor Beach. The Small island to the right at the mouth of the Lake Sylvia (where the now Intracoastal and New River Connect) has been underwater since at least 1940 and is now owned by a corporation based in California. The large island in the center was probably partially submerged and then filled in the 1960’s to build the Harbourage subdivision. At left are two other small islands that have since disappeared.
Shops and traffic on Las Olas Boulevard in 1989.
Shops and traffic on Las Olas Boulevard in 1989.
Pantry Pride supermarket on East Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale in 1986.
Pantry Pride supermarket on East Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale in 1986.

Attractions

The scene at the grand opening of the Las Olas Riverfront in 1998.
The scene at the grand opening of the Las Olas Riverfront in 1998.
Beaux Arts Promenade on Las Olas Boulevard in the early 1960s.
Beaux Arts Promenade on Las Olas Boulevard in the early 1960s.
Festival goers fill the streets of Las Olas Boulevard for the annual Christmas on Las Olas celebration.
Festival goers fill the streets of Las Olas Boulevard for the annual Christmas on Las Olas celebration.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale buildings

In 1954, the lobby of the Las Olas Inn.
In 1954, the lobby of the Las Olas Inn.
In 1990, New River Center at Las Olas and Southeast Third Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
In 1990, New River Center at Las Olas and Southeast Third Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Las Olas stores

A Las Olas business.
A Las Olas business.
The Las Olas shopping area in 1989.
The Las Olas shopping area in 1989.
The 700 block of East Las Olas Boulevard in 1983.
The 700 block of East Las Olas Boulevard in 1983.
In 1986, the south side of Las Olas, with the Riverside hotel at right.
In 1986, the south side of Las Olas, with the Riverside hotel at right.
Storefronts along Las Olas.
Storefronts along Las Olas.
Las Olas Boulevard’s business district.
Las Olas Boulevard’s business district.