Overview
Pembroke Pines is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The
population was 137,427 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population
recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 150,104.
History
Pembroke Pines was incorporated in 1960, and took the name Pembroke from
its location along Pembroke Road and the many pine trees in the area. But
the name Pembroke may even date back much further. The name may have been
from an early landowner from Britain known as the Earl of Pembroke.
It started as agricultural land occupied by dairy farms and grew after the
war as servicemen were retiring. The first two tiny subdivisions were called
Pembroke Pines. One of the first homes in the city belonged to Dr. (the
first mayor) and Mr. Walter Smith Kipnis, built in 1956. It was then known
as the “Village of Pembroke Pines” and incorporated into a town in 1959.
Builders contested the incorporation, so a legal battle was brought out
concerning the boundaries of the new town that were incorrectly stated in
the ballot.
In January 1960, Pembroke Pines held another election when 98% of 425 voters
voted “yes” in Ernon Day’s driveway, thus the town became a city. This small
property was less than a square mile and was between Hollywood Boulevard and
SW 72nd Avenue, and had the Florida Turnpike to the east. Pembroke Pines
sought to give citizens involvement so they organized the Pembroke Pines
Civic Association. The citizens’ group was started at what was supposed to
be a youth center that was on donated property by the Turnpike.
The city’s expansion was a major effect of Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
Hundreds of southern Dade County residents moved northward to Broward
County, many to Pembroke Pines. The population greatly increased as former
owners of destroyed homes spent their insurance money on an inland city.
Over the years, overpopulation in schools causes a big concern for the city.
Flanagan High School has close to 5,000, making it the most populated high
school in Florida. In response to Broward’s inability to keep up with
demands, Mayor Alex Fekete and City manager, Charles Dodge started a charter
school system. Pembroke Pines now has the largest Charter school system on
the U.S. The city now has a Community College as well as a facility of
Florida International University. The city's population has grown from (1990
pop. 65,452) to an estimated 2005 population of 148,000.
Pembroke Pines was also home to the most dangerous road intersection (Pines
Blvd and Flamingo Rd.) in the United States in 2001, according to State Farm
Insurance.
The first inhabitants in the city are known as “Archaic” and were small
bands of Indians that first appeared about 4,000 years ago. Skeletal remains
of animal hunters dating about 10,000 old were found around Broward County,
showing that perhaps humans have lived here even earlier. These people
wandered around the county about 2,000 to 4,000 years ago. These Archaic
Indians collected fish, shellfish, deer, bear, and plants such as sea grape
and prickly pear.
The primary section of Pembroke Pines was a dairy farm pasture. City
services were added such as the first fire department building in 1960 next
to North Perry Airport. However, University Drive was as far west as could
be habitable to residents.
The square-mile city was unable to expand due to North Perry Airport and the
South Florida State Hospital. Joseph LaCroix, a developer, had his 320 acres
land north of Pines Boulevard annexed to the city. This gave a new pathway
to proceed westward. In 1980, property from Flamingo Road to U.S. 27 was
incorporated into Pembroke Pines, doubling the size of the city.
In 1977, a maximum security prison known as the Broward Correctional
Institution was built in northwestern Pembroke Pines. It was originally
designated to house male inmates but woman only resided in the prison. The
prison offers the accommodations for woman committing serious crimes
including the housing of those on death row. It has a capacity for 611
inmates and has academic programs, vocational programs, wellness education
services, library services, substance abuse programs, chaplaincy services,
institutional betterment programs, and many other programs.
Geography
To the North: Hollywood, Cooper City, Sunshine Ranches
To the South: Miramar
To the East: Hollywood
To the West: The Everglades
Demographics
There were 51,989 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age
of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 11.1%
had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.1% were
non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.5%
had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average
household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18,
6.4% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100
females there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 81.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $52,629, and the median
income for a family was $61,480. Males had a median income of $45,129 versus
$32,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,843. About
3.9% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.
Trivia
The first Gay Pride Festival was held in Pembroke Pines at the Hollywood
Sportatorium.
The Miami-Hollywood Motorsports Park was built in 1966. This speedway had
gone through many various name changes over its long history. However, it
was home to many famous races and was a nationally recognized racetrack. It
featured a quarter mile drag strip where you could race all types of
modified cars or traditional racing cars. It closed in 1992 due to western
expansion of new homes. Now, the subdivision Pembroke Isles occupies where
it used to be.
Birthplace of:
Erasmus James - 2005 NFL player (Minnesota Vikings, born: Nov 4, 1982)
Niki Taylor- Supermodel born March 5th, 1975
Adrian Thomas - College basketball player (Miami Hurricanes)
Jeff Fiorentino - 2005 Major League Baseball player (Baltimore Orioles,
born: Apr 14, 1983)