It all started innocently enough in 1936 in a small seaside town in South Florida. There was a saltwater swimming pool with college swim teams gathering over Christmas break for the sake of fun and competition. But a few years later, things changed.

By the mid-1950s, the nearby ocean started filling up with collegiates on Spring Break competing for the attention of pretty coeds. Then in early 1961, the movie Where The Boys Are was released and all hell broke loose for the next 25 years.

The story that Fort Lauderdale Beach has told for many decades is one of beer and wet t-shirts with little regard for how the city once dubbed “The Venice of America” also was known as “Fort Liquordale” among other less flattering monikers. But with the release of Where the Boys (and Girls) Were! you will truly learn the “Fun & Sun History of Fort Lauderdale Beach” as it has never been fully researched or told before.

Everything from the earliest settlers of the 1800s to the poshest resorts of the 21st century is covered in this book. You'll get insight into how and why millions of people have visited or moved to the city that Glendon Swarthout made famous in his 1960 book Where the Boys Are and Connie Francis and her pals made infamous in the movie version of the book.

If you were a Spring Breaker in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s or a visitor to Fort Lauderdale at any time, this book is a great way to help you recall how you spent those sunburnt days and drunken nights. You'll also get an update on how the beach and its’ cast of crazy characters have fared over the years and what the future holds. 

See you at the Elbo Room!