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Ethelyn Bowles and son Theodore 'Lucky' Strachan, Sr.
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Bowles-Strachan House, Inc.
4651 SW 19th Street
West Park, FL 33023
954-773-6731 Off
305-343-9403 Cell
A 501 (c)(3) Non-profit organization
For tax-exempt donations
Zelle to 954-773-6731 or
mail check/money order to:
Bowles-Strachan House, Inc.
4651 SW 19th Street
West Park, FL 33023
Our Mission is to respect and retain the legacy of the Carver Ranches Community. We are dedicated to researching and preserving the history of Carver Ranches & South Florida’s African American culture by collecting and archiving written material, vintage artifacts, dated photographs and oral histories; and to promote these findings through written, visual, musical, oral, and digital means for educational purposes.
VIRTUAL TOUR: https://youtu.be/3KAspK2xmBw (Click on link)
The Beginning
Ethelyn Bowles (Photo above) was born in 1901 on Cat Island, Bahamas. She left her hometown at 19 years old and move to Liberty City, FL with her older sister, Rhoda Thompson. Salaries were very low during that time but she worked hard as a domestic and in the laundry. On May 1, 1936, she gave birth to her only child, Theodore Strachan. In July 1941, Ethelyn Bowles, a single parent, purchased this shotgun house for $945. She paid $50 dollars down and $12 or more a month faithfully until receiving the Warranty Deed dated January 12, 1944. It was one of four (4) model homes built for the Carver Ranches subdivision in unincorporated Broward County in South Florida. The subdivision was marketed exclusively to African-Americans, which was unusual during the 1940s.
It was a typical A-framed structure constructed on piles with and open porch, an all in one living/kitchen/dining room, two small bedrooms, and an outhouse. The home exists in its original location and exhibits much of its original character and fabric. Mid-century (1950s) alterations include enclosed porch, window replacements, kitchen and indoor bathroom addition. Ownership of this vintage dwelling has passed from generation to generation to generation.
Lucky shared some of the family Bahamian history and the early days of Carver Ranches with his daughter, Cynthia Strachan Saunders. This sparked a curiosity that led to talking to 43 of the pioneer families that move there in the 1940s. Those oral histories, photographs and other historical findings were published in December 2006, in the documentary book, Promises from the Palmetto Bush, the Genesis of Carver Ranches, FL. Six years later, Their Story is Our Story, the musical play based on this book was produced and performed for South Florida audiences.
Featured pioneer families from the 1940s: https://youtu.be/biLpF1QJc_M?si=PblS5vTS24ARKmmK
During the gathering of stories, people from the neighborhood began brining items t o the house and leaving them on the front steps. These items ended up replacing the regular furniture and created a museum-like atmosphere.
Historical Designation
In February 2009, Cynthia Strachan contacted the Broward County Historical Commission requesting an historical evaluation of her family’s home. On February 23, 2009, David Baber (Administrator and County Historic Preservation Officer) and Matthew DeFelice (County Archaeologist) conducted a site visit. Their findings were sufficient to start the first step to historical designation with Florida Master Site File, Division of Historical Resources, Tallahassee, Florida.
The structure, which remains in much its original form, represents one of few original structures of the Carver Ranches subdivision, which is now part of the City of West Park. The site exhibits distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period of history.
This 1941 house is the last of the four display houses that remains in the community. It has withstood the test of time, termites, and hurricanes.
On October 23, 2012, Broward County Commission designated the Bowles-Strachan House as a Historical Resource Center. This is a first for Broward County and the City of West Park.
We continue to research, preserve and share this rich history. Call to make an appointment for a tour of the Bowles-Strachan House. you will be edutain as you take a stroll down Memory Lane. 305-343-9403
Programming:
Historical Presentations, Recording Oral Histories, Storytelling, Senior & Youth Programs and more. \
View some of our event and community outreach programs. (Link provided soon)
Donations
As a non-profit 501 (c) (3) charity,
your donations are tax deductible based on applicable laws. Donors like you help us to fulfill our mission and continue our current effective programs and bring new and innovative ideas to fruition. Extending an open hand to give is in the perfect position to receive.
For tax-exempt donations
Zelle to 954-773-6731 or
mail check/money order to:
Bowles-Strachan House, Inc.
4651 SW 19th Street
West Park, FL 33023
______________________________________________________________________________
l
4651 SW 19th Street
West Park, FL 33023
954-773-6731 Off
305-343-9403 Cell
A 501 (c)(3) Non-profit organization
For tax-exempt donations
Zelle to 954-773-6731 or
mail check/money order to:
Bowles-Strachan House, Inc.
4651 SW 19th Street
West Park, FL 33023
Our Mission is to respect and retain the legacy of the Carver Ranches Community. We are dedicated to researching and preserving the history of Carver Ranches & South Florida’s African American culture by collecting and archiving written material, vintage artifacts, dated photographs and oral histories; and to promote these findings through written, visual, musical, oral, and digital means for educational purposes.
VIRTUAL TOUR: https://youtu.be/3KAspK2xmBw (Click on link)
The Beginning
Ethelyn Bowles (Photo above) was born in 1901 on Cat Island, Bahamas. She left her hometown at 19 years old and move to Liberty City, FL with her older sister, Rhoda Thompson. Salaries were very low during that time but she worked hard as a domestic and in the laundry. On May 1, 1936, she gave birth to her only child, Theodore Strachan. In July 1941, Ethelyn Bowles, a single parent, purchased this shotgun house for $945. She paid $50 dollars down and $12 or more a month faithfully until receiving the Warranty Deed dated January 12, 1944. It was one of four (4) model homes built for the Carver Ranches subdivision in unincorporated Broward County in South Florida. The subdivision was marketed exclusively to African-Americans, which was unusual during the 1940s.
It was a typical A-framed structure constructed on piles with and open porch, an all in one living/kitchen/dining room, two small bedrooms, and an outhouse. The home exists in its original location and exhibits much of its original character and fabric. Mid-century (1950s) alterations include enclosed porch, window replacements, kitchen and indoor bathroom addition. Ownership of this vintage dwelling has passed from generation to generation to generation.
Lucky shared some of the family Bahamian history and the early days of Carver Ranches with his daughter, Cynthia Strachan Saunders. This sparked a curiosity that led to talking to 43 of the pioneer families that move there in the 1940s. Those oral histories, photographs and other historical findings were published in December 2006, in the documentary book, Promises from the Palmetto Bush, the Genesis of Carver Ranches, FL. Six years later, Their Story is Our Story, the musical play based on this book was produced and performed for South Florida audiences.
Featured pioneer families from the 1940s: https://youtu.be/biLpF1QJc_M?si=PblS5vTS24ARKmmK
During the gathering of stories, people from the neighborhood began brining items t o the house and leaving them on the front steps. These items ended up replacing the regular furniture and created a museum-like atmosphere.
Historical Designation
In February 2009, Cynthia Strachan contacted the Broward County Historical Commission requesting an historical evaluation of her family’s home. On February 23, 2009, David Baber (Administrator and County Historic Preservation Officer) and Matthew DeFelice (County Archaeologist) conducted a site visit. Their findings were sufficient to start the first step to historical designation with Florida Master Site File, Division of Historical Resources, Tallahassee, Florida.
The structure, which remains in much its original form, represents one of few original structures of the Carver Ranches subdivision, which is now part of the City of West Park. The site exhibits distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period of history.
This 1941 house is the last of the four display houses that remains in the community. It has withstood the test of time, termites, and hurricanes.
On October 23, 2012, Broward County Commission designated the Bowles-Strachan House as a Historical Resource Center. This is a first for Broward County and the City of West Park.
We continue to research, preserve and share this rich history. Call to make an appointment for a tour of the Bowles-Strachan House. you will be edutain as you take a stroll down Memory Lane. 305-343-9403
Programming:
Historical Presentations, Recording Oral Histories, Storytelling, Senior & Youth Programs and more. \
View some of our event and community outreach programs. (Link provided soon)
Donations
As a non-profit 501 (c) (3) charity,
your donations are tax deductible based on applicable laws. Donors like you help us to fulfill our mission and continue our current effective programs and bring new and innovative ideas to fruition. Extending an open hand to give is in the perfect position to receive.
For tax-exempt donations
Zelle to 954-773-6731 or
mail check/money order to:
Bowles-Strachan House, Inc.
4651 SW 19th Street
West Park, FL 33023
______________________________________________________________________________
l
