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, including large eastern sections that were part of the Waldrep Dairy Farm. 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. In 2003, Flanagan High School had close to 5,000 students, 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.[link]
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.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 89.2 km² (34.4 mi²). 85.6 km² (33.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.6 km² (1.4 mi²) of it (4.01%) is water.
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 137,427 people, 51,989 households, and 36,860 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,605.5/km² (4,157.6/mi²). There were 55,296 housing units at an average density of 646.0/km² (1,672.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.58% White, 13.25% African American, 0.19% Native American, 3.76% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.70% from other races, and 3.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28.16% of the population.
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.
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)
