Broward County will hold a dedication ceremony and plaque unveiling on Thursday, October 23, at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate the Bowles-Strachan House in West Park as the county’s first residential Historic Resource Site. The designation was awarded by the Broward County Historic Preservation Board.
The Bowles-Strachan residence is the last-standing model home of the 1940s Carver Ranches community, a subdivision in unincorporated Broward County that was marketed exclusively to African Americans—a rarity for the time. Purchased in 1941 by Ethelyn Bowles, a single mother from Cat Island, Bahamas, the home has been passed down through generations and remains in its original location, retaining much of its historic character.
Constructed as a typical A-framed structure on piles, the home originally featured an open porch, a combined living/kitchen/dining area, two small bedrooms, and an outhouse. Mid-century updates included an enclosed porch, window replacements, and the addition of an indoor bathroom and kitchen. Despite these changes, the Bowles-Strachan House preserves the architectural and historical essence of the Carver Ranches model homes.
The family’s history played a key role in the designation. Ethelyn Bowles raised her son, Theodore Strachan, in the home after buying it for $945, paying $50 down and $12 monthly installments until the warranty deed was finalized in January 1944. Decades later, Cynthia Strachan Saunders, Bowles’ granddaughter, reached out to the Broward County Historical Commission in 2009 to request a historical evaluation. Archaeologists and county officials confirmed the home’s significance, making it eligible for historical designation through the Florida Master Site File.
Over the years, stories and artifacts from Carver Ranches residents transformed parts of the home into a museum-like space, preserving the legacy of one of the few original structures from the subdivision. On October 23, 2012, the Broward County Commission officially designated the Bowles-Strachan House as a Historic Resource Site, marking a first for both Broward County and the City of West Park.
The ceremony will take place at 4651 SW 19th Street, West Park, FL 33023, honoring the enduring history of the home and the community it represents.
