It has been said, that few like to work with history because there is no future in it. This old adage is so true! Still there are those of us who consider it a privilege to be able to find and record the past occurrences of civilizations, i.e. the origins, their challenges, the accomplishments and their destinies. 

The archives of history, in our world, are our magnificent museums, our government edifices, our buildings of culture, our knowledge and beauty that are housed in the Library of Congress or the wonderful Smithsonian Institution. These architectural splendors, compared to those of Europe, the Middle East and Asia make our history look ‘small’ and inconsequential but, history does not state that a country’s or a city’s past MUST be hundreds or thousands of years old to be relevant. 

Every country, state, parish, county and many cities, including our own state of Florida, have their historians. Through the supporting membership to these groups and societies, they aid the growth of historical information from generation to generation. In the older countries on our planet, the historical trail extends from the timeless ages to our ‘recent past’. In our unique and benevolent country, the United States of America, the timeline is very short in comparison . . . BUT WE DO HAVE HISTORY! 

Florida is a ‘new comer’ and has a reference point basically going back to the CIVIL WAR period. An example of an ‘old Florida city’ is White City, near the Suwannee River that moves west to empty into the Gulf of Mexico. For many generations, public school music teachers would teach their students Stephan Foster’s melodic song, “Old Folks at Home” aka “The Swanee River”, which became the state song of Florida in 1935. 

The period of modern history for Florida didn’t gather intensity until after World War II. Then, new cities sprouted up like ‘daisies in a fertile field’. The older established cities in the Northeast and the Central part of the country began to, as the saying goes, ‘burst at the seams’. Florida was again discovered for its climate, orange trees, and a new place to raise thoroughbred horses instead of only Kentucky. The most famous circus in the country, Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, found a perfect location for its artists and animals to rest and recuperate between tours in the western Gulf city of Sarasota. 

Our Florida communities grew, always improving on our learning institutions, our renowned sports teams, our museums and our performing arts arenas. It was after . . . oops, don’t know if Google will tell you, but the Broward County Historical Commission can tell you, Check them out! 

Now that you have read my quick ‘thumbnail’ historical review, it’s time to get you involved in Parkland’s history. If Parkland is the city of your repose and you are ‘establishing’ your roots here, consider becoming a member of the Parkland Historical Society and show your support for our accomplishments . . . . In just over nine years, we have established a collection of artifacts that tell Parkland’s history. There is a lot more to be done and this can only happen with your support. We are looking for volunteers who can give us both their time and their talent. In other words, we NEED your support NOW! 

In 2007, the first cancellation of the state mandated budget cuts had its effects on the city’s ad-valorem income. [An ad-valorem tax (Latin: by value) is a tax based on the value of real estate or personal property. It is usually imposed on an annual basis as a real or personal property tax.] As the city readjusted to the ad-valorem tax situation, the Parkland Historical society, with your help, made our city’s 45th Birthday Celebration, in 2008, a special PARKLAND event. We gathered special items from our city’s past and present and placed them in a time capsule that is interred between the flag poles at the entrance to City Hall, to be opened in 2063. So . . . 


Become a member and active participant in securing the historical artifacts that will, in the future, be important mementos of our city’s evolution. 

Leave your name with our president, Jeff Schwartz, @ 954-295-6676 and tell him you want to become a member/volunteer of the PARKLAND Historical Society and he will give you information about becoming a member of the Society. Or, better yet, go to our Become a Member page and sign-up there. 

Thank you for your time and I look forward to having you ‘on board’ as a proud, active member of the Parkland Historical Society. 

[Harold J. Bockhold was Mayor of Parkland from 1972-1978. Mr. Bockhold was a founding member and first president of the Parkland Historical Society. Mr. Bockhold lives with his wife, Julienne, in the BBB Ranches.]