Celebrate History with the City of Fort Lauderdale this July 4th

Two Events Celebrating History in Fort Lauderdale: The Grand Opening of the Eula Johnson House and the 50th Anniversary of the Wade-In on Fort Lauderdale Beach

Shannon Vezina , Public Information Specialist
(954) 828-4743 / svezina@fortlauderdale.gov

Fort Lauderdale - The City of Fort Lauderdale will jumpstart the Fourth of July with a bang by celebrating history. After months of anticipation, the Eula Johnson House will open its doors to the public. The renovated home of the first female president of the Fort Lauderdale Branch of the NAACP will serve as the new home of the NAACP and act as a welcome center on the historic Sistrunk Boulevard.

As the City celebrates the life and legacy of a woman who thought it not robbery to walk when others hid; who marched while others cowered; and who spoke up while others were silent, we, also, remember all of those who fought for equality and civil rights in Fort Lauderdale and around the nation.

On July 4, 1961, local NAACP president Eula Johnson and black physician Dr. Von D. Mizell began a series of nationally publicized “wade-ins” of Fort Lauderdale beaches. Johnson, Mizell, a third black adult, and four black college students participated in the first “wade-in.” As many as 200 African-American residents took part in subsequent “wade-ins” during July and August of 1961. The demonstrations were prompted by Broward County’s failure to build a road to provide access to “Colored Beach,” the only beach available for people of color. In 1954, the county had purchased the beach (now part of John U. Lloyd State Park), promising African-Americans beach access and amenities. By 1961, the beach still lacked tables, restrooms, shelter, and fresh water, and only members of the black community served as lifeguards. On August 12, 1961, the City of Fort Lauderdale filed suit in Broward County Circuit Court against Johnson, Mizell, and the NAACP in an attempt to stop the “wade-ins.” Nearly a year later, on July 11, 1962, Judge Ted Cabot denied the city’s request. The decision effectively desegregated the county’s beaches and marked a turning point in the struggle to desegregate all public facilities in Broward County.

This July 4th, the City honors the walk of Eula Johnson, Von D. Mizell and all of those who dared to want more. The City will pay tribute to Eula Johnson beginning at 9:00 am at the Eula Johnson House Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Immediately following the grand opening, event-goers will board Sun Trolleys and travel to Fort Lauderdale Beach where the 50th Anniversary of the Wade-In Commemoration Ceremony will be held. The Wade-In Commemoration Ceremony will begin at 11:00 am. The ceremony culminates with the unveiling of the State Historical Marker and a re-enactment of the July 4, 1961 Wade-In.

Eula Gandy Johnson Day:

On Tuesday, June 21, 2011 the Fort Lauderdale City Commission proclaimed July 3, 2011 Eula Gandy Johnson Day and asked that residents join them in celebrating her life and work on the 4th.

The Eula Johnson House:

In 2008, the Community Redevelopment Agency acquired the Eula Johnson Home from an absentee owner. The City Commission, in its capacity as the Board of Directors of the Community Redevelopment Agency, suggested preserving the house because they knew that there were individuals looking for office space on Sistrunk Blvd. after being displaced from another location. After the commission introduced the concept, the NAACP, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and the Midtown Business District all played a role in highlighting the importance of renovating the Johnson Home to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission and CRA Board of Directors.

In March 2009, the City and the NAACP finalized its agreement. The NAACP will have a no-cost lease on facility with the CRA for an initial lease term of 16 years, with NAACP responsible for day-to-day maintenance.

The Eula Johnson House will serve as the NAACP headquarters as well as a welcome center for residents, visitors, existing businesses and prospective business owners who visit the historic Sistrunk Corridor.