Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Collection, 1895-1943, bulk 1895-1909
Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Collection contains 32 photographs and 3 models of boats and dredges made by Broward documenting Broward's project to drain the Everglades and reclaim the land for agriculture as well as his career as a captain and as the Governor of Florida from 1905-1909.
- Extent:
- 1 Box (irregular size)
- 3 Objects
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Collection (BCHA-1980.3), Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Collection contains 32 photographs, models of boats and dredges made by Governor Broward, newspapers, correspondence, and a 1909 patent for boat hull. The collection documents Broward's career as a captain and as the Governor of Florida from 1905-1909, as well as Broward's project to drain the Everglades and make them navigable.
The majority of the photographs depict the Everglades canal and dredging operations in 1908. Other photographs show Broward's family on the steps of the Florida Governor's Mansion in 1907, his 1905 Gubernatorial Address at the Florida State Capital building, his 1905 inaugural ball, and banquets.
The three models include a schooner, a model of a dredge, and an 1895 model of the hull of Broward's tug, The Three Friends. All models were hand-carved and built by N. B. Broward.
- Biographical / historical:
Napoleon Bonaparte Broward I (April 19, 1857 – October 1, 1910) was a river pilot, captain, and politician. He was elected to the Florida State House of Representatives in 1900, and in 1904 was elected as the 19th governor of the State of Florida, serving from January 3, 1905, to January 5, 1909.
Prior to his political career, Broward became famous in the late 1890s for smuggling weapons to Cuban revolutionaries. He used his steam ship, the Three Friends, to complete the trips.
His campaign platform for governor, and his biggest project in office, was draining the Everglades for agriculture and development. In May 1905, the State of Florida passed an act allowing drainage taxing districts to be created over Internal Improvement Fund lands and created the Everglades Drainage District. In 1906, the dredging projects began from the New River in Fort Lauderdale.
Broward failed to gain reelection as governor in 1908, but he was elected to the United States Senate in June 1910. In October, Broward died of gallstone complications before the start of his senate term.
In 1915, the newly formed Broward County was named in his honor.
- Acquisition information:
- Napoleon Bonaparte Broward III donated the materials to the Broward County Historical Commission in December, 1980 (Accession BCHA-1980.3).
- Processing information:
This collection received container level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Collection (BCHA-1980.3), Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library100 S. Andrews AvenueFort LauderdaleFL33301USA
