Mini-Archives – Places

1919-1960 “History of the Tropical Manors subdivision” mini-archive-featuring WM pioneer resident Merle Slagle – Including a summary of the property’s owners/developers/builders, maps/plats, and newspaper ad/articles with photos and prices.

1953-1958 “Coral Point subdivision” mini-archive – Including plat, sales plat with lot prices, and newspaper ads/articles with photos and prices. Also, Ivy Stranahan reminiscences of the family farm previously located on the site of Coral Point.

1953-1958 “Coral Estates subdivision” mini-archive – Including a summary of the property’s owners/developers/builders, plat, and newspaper ad/articles with photos and prices.

1946-1947 “Houses at 306-308 NE 21st Ct” – Collection of 3″x3″ photographs found at the “Swap Shop” by Bruce and Barbara Potter and donated to WMHS. Homes at various stages of construction/completion; plus contemporary image of one home.

1948-2024 “Covenant Presbyterian-Wilton Manors first church” – 111-page compilation of Historical Notes, Fall 2024 Town Crier “executive summary” article, the church’s 50th Anniversary scrapbook and related materials from Jean French Collection (photos, news clippings, newsletters/bulletins, financial statements, etc.), and other more recently acquired and/or edited documents or photographs.

1953-2015 “Manor Gate Shopping Center – The History, with Vintage Ads and Images”– collection of newspaper clippings, images, documents and memorabilia related to center and its early anchor tenants. These include Williams City Drugs, Moore’s Jewelry, Kentucky Fried Chicken, a second Dairy Queen, A&P Supermarket; and later Manor Cinema and Old Florida Seafood House.. Also vintage aerial photos of the shopping plaza and surrounding NE 26th St businesses. Includes the Fall 2025 Town Crier article “Evolution of the new theater on 26th Street”–with details about the Manor Cinema building.

1954-1979 “Wilton Manors National Bank/Sun Bank”– collection of newspaper clippings, images, documents and memorabilia related to the bank (including materials from the Crabtree and Pearce Collections). And research the cost-of-living and area businesses serving Wilton Manors through the “1958-1960 & 1970 Borkenhagen family checkbooks” at WMNB [Morales Collection].

1954-2007/2008 “History of 2301 Wilton Drive”-including Wilton Manors first funeral home– 2021 Town Crier article and collection of newspaper clippings and documents tracing the history of the property. …From James Dean’s private residence to Seacord Funeral Home to Spectrum House drug rehab center to Island City Lofts.

1955-1956+ “15th Ave Bridge, aka ‘Perry Mickel Bridge‘”– collection of newspapers clipping about the “bridge to nowhere”.

1959-2017 “Chronology of Restaurants and Lounges at 2209 Wilton Drive”– images, newspaper clippings and articles related to “The Flame”, “Playmate Club”, “Back Door A-Go-Go”, Sir Nicholas Inn”, “Tahiti Inn”, “The Palms” (one of WM’s first documented gay clubs), Chardees, Bill’s Filling Station and Southern Nights. Includes articles and photos about Stefani Germanotta’s 2008 South Florida debut as “Lady Gaga” at Bill’s Filling Station.

1960s-2007 “Robinson Beauty School/Schuster Design“– images of the Robinson Beauty School–from its beginning at 2201 Wilton Drive; interior/exterior images, full-color brochures and documents from the renowned architect Dan Duckham-designed location on NE 26th Street; and transition of the building into the Schuster Design Studio.

1970s ca “Early Wilton Manors Structures” – annotated map with descriptions of early structures and owners. Includes background notes, and handwritten notes transcribed by Marcia Stafford from pioneers Shirley Cain and Lois Griffis.

1981-1997 “The Story of JJ’s Den/The Otherside” – the history, ads and images of Wilton Manors’ first LGBTQ business–a women-focused club that opened in 1981. It was a social space where lesbians and their allies could experience community–providing women a safe space to interact, find refuge, combat social isolation, and celebrate..

1996-1998 “Island City Art Center“– renderings and newspaper clippings re: replacing the 2020 Wilton Drive building with an “Island City [performing] Arts Center”.

2010 “‘Island City Plaza’ concept by Gables Wilton Park“– architect renderings of proposed parking garage, pedestrian plaza and residential/business space on Hagen Park/City Hall parking lot.