Top 5 Things You May Not Know About Coral Springs

Before the Perfectly Planned Community

Did you know that the beautiful neighborhood of Coral Springs was once acres of green bean fields?

For over a thousand years, Tequesta natives occupied the area that would eventually become Coral Springs. 

In fact, archaeological digs showed several areas of native occupation, including camps and burial sites, ending when the last of the tribe, decimated by European disease, departed for Cuba in 1763. 

While Seminole natives and others likely crossed through the area decades after the Tequesta left, the first recorded visit to the future Coral Springs did not come until long after the Tequesta departed.

Upon receiving Florida from Spain by the treaty of Adams-Onis in 1819, the United States began to organize the territory they had acquired. 

Starting with the Land Ordinance Act of 1785, the United States adopted a well-known system, the Rectangular Method, for measuring land. 

They started from the meridian and divided the new north and south territory into 36-square-mile blocks called townships that were further measured east and west by ranges.

The land that would eventually become Coral Springs sat at Township 48 South, Range 41 East.

The Founders of Coral Springs

Indeed, Coral Springs has been unique from its inception and truly deserves to be one of the most successfully planned Florida cities!

Just 55 years ago, successful Fort Lauderdale builders James S. Hunt and Joe Taravella of Coral Ridge Properties had the vision to create a planned city from the ground up. 

With this in mind, they purchased the first parcel of land from the Lions family, 3,860 acres that were once a green bean farm and cattle field. 

The two pioneers wanted homes on expansive lots and public buildings in a brick colonial style. 

They also agreed to call for strict city codes to maintain aesthetics. 

To draw interest in the land considered "too far out" by many, they constructed a covered bridge and recruited talk show host Johnny Carson for a land sale BBQ. 

The event was a huge success, and Carson purchased an investment plot of his own. 

Westinghouse purchased Coral Ridge Properties in 1966 and brought modern style and innovation to Coral Springs with top-of-the-line appliances and features that were cutting edge. 

Though Hunt died in 1972 and Taravella in 1978, their vision lives on with continued innovative leadership and a community dedicated to progress. 

The succeeding leadership that has followed has been key to achieving those efforts.

The Famed Covered Bridge

Fun fact-- the Coral Springs Historic Covered Bridge is the only place you can visit today that looks like how it did in 1964!

The covered bridge, made by Coral Ridge Properties (CRP), was the entrance to the new City of Coral Springs and part of a sales technique. 

Colonial in style, the Coral Springs Historic Covered Bridg was a landmark draw that demonstrated the city's future style, which would later become "A City in the Country." 

It was the first structure built in the City of Coral Springs, designed by George Hodapp in The Hills subdivision.

The 40-foot bridge has a single steel span that crosses N.W. 95th Avenue just south of Wiles Road. 

It was in the color of barn red as James S. Hunt, president of Coral Ridge Properties, wanted to convey a sense of the Old South on the otherwise barren landscape. 

Over the years, the bridge and murals have been restored, but they mark the location of the only covered bridge in the state of Florida in the public right-of-way. 

"Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky"

Did you know that "Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky" is the newest flag of Coral Springs, created by Dale Williams, winner of the Coral Springs flag design contest in 2017? 

The said flag replaces a previous flag featuring the city seal.

During the contest, the city received 80 submissions and narrowed the field to these six finalists. 

The name and theme of the flag were derived from the State of Florida's official anthem to remind everyone how much the city has grown and the future of better things to come.

A beautiful message, indeed!

The Accolades of Coral Springs

Due to its continuous development, progressive nature, and overall livability, Coral Springs has received numerous accolades through the years. 

In fact, the city was ranked as the 27th "Best City in the United States in Which to Live" by Money Magazine in 2006, named the 10th "Safest City in the US" by Morgan Quitno in 2007, and received America's Promise "100 Best Cities for Young People" award multiple times, identified by the group as a three-time winner in 2008. 

In 2007, Coral Springs became the first state or local government to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. 

And in 2010, CNNMoney.com listed Coral Springs as the 44th best place to live in the United States.