Ivan and Frances Austin Collection, Circa 1916-1988
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Austin, Ivan Demorest, 1899-1989
- Austin, Frances Montgomery, 1902-1993
- Extent:
- 1 Photograph Binder Box
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Ivan and Frances Austin Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Ivan and Frances Austin Collection contains photographs documenting Ivan Austin's high school years, his military career, his service in the local community, and early recreational activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- Biographical / historical:
Ivan Demorest Austin (1899-1989) was an early resident of Fort Lauderdale. He was born on April 27, 1899 in West Virginia and moved to Fort Lauderdale with his mother, Lena, in 1913. They joined Ivan's father, William (1870-1958), who was a jeweler. Ivan graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in May 1918. His wife, Frances Montgomery (1902-1993) was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Montgomery [1]. Frances and her mother followed Frances' father to Fort Lauderdale to let him work for the Fort Lauderdale Sentinel newspaper [2]. Frances graduated from Fort Lauderdale High School in 1920 and from Rollins College in 1924 [3]. The couple had three daughters: Shirley, Joan, and Maureen [4]. Ivan and Frances Austin are buried at the Evergreen Cemetery.
As a pioneer, Ivan Austin was involved in Fort Lauderdale's local life. He started in the real estate area and "later operated a nursery in the 1600 block of Northeast Fourth Avenue" [5]. He played on the city's first football team [6] and in the Drum and Bugle corps [7]. He was also a member of the Fort Lauderdale Volunteer Fireman's Association [8]. Ivan Austin became a hydraulic engineer [9] during the 1920s. He worked for the City of Fort Lauderdale as Superintendent of Water Works [10], as well as a civilian engineer for the army. Also, he was in High School with Watt Gordon, a famous local track athlete [11], and was probably one of his teammates. Around 1932, Ivan Austin moved to Miami Beach to work for the U.S. Engineer Corps [12]. He moved back to Fort Lauderdale in 1962.
In addition, Ivan Austin was a war veteran. After graduating from High School in May 1918, he joined the US Navy. He fought in World War I in the submarine chaser No. 276 [13]. In 1942, he served as an officer during World War II. In 1950, during the Korean War, he was also mobilized and won a Bronze Star medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation in recognition of his service. He ended his career in the US Army as Lieutenant Colonel.
Notes: [1] Miami News-Metropolis, July 28, 1924. [2] See note in Ivan and Frances Austin Scrapbook. [3] Sun-Sentinel, January 19, 1993. [4] 1940 U.S. Federal Census. [5] Sun-Sentinel, Friday, April 21, 1989. [6] Ivan and Frances Austin Collection, pictures 13 and 14. [7] Ivan and Frances Austin Collection, picture 2. [8] Ivan and Frances Austin Collection, picture 18. [9] 1930 U.S. Federal Census. [10] Miami News-Metropolis, July 25, 1924. [11] Kirk, Cooper, "Fort Lauderdale High School Athletics and the 'Flying L' Symbol'", Broward Legacy, Summer/Fall, 1989, p. 41. [12] Fort Lauderdale Daily News and Evening Sentinel, May 16, 1942. [13] Fort Lauderdale Daily News and Evening Sentinel, November 27, 1951.
- Processing information:
The Ivan and Frances Austin Collection is processed at the item level. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.
- Arrangement:
The Ivan and Frances Austin Collection is organized in two series: Series I. Scrabook, Series II. Photographs.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The Ivan and Frances Austin Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Ivan and Frances Austin Collection, Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
Broward County Historical Archives, Broward County Library100 S. Andrews AvenueFort LauderdaleFL33301USA
