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Trace the unusual roots, fun contradictions, and little-known milestones that helped carve out the unique identity and legacy of Tamarac, a diverse city in the western core of Broward County.
Take a detour from your daily route to sift through the layers of Tamarac, a rising community shaped by its evolving landscape, thriving neighborhoods, and accessible luxury.
Offering a central location in western Broward, Tamarac has slowly grown into a thriving oasis that welcomes families, professionals, and those seeking a well-rounded suburban lifestyle with everything essential just around the corner.
But Tamarac's appeal stems from not only what's on the surface.
In fact, behind its comfort, convenience, and continuous pursuit of success lies a trove of oddball history, unexpected twists, and stories that might just make anyone do a double take — even longtime residents!
And guess what? You're about to hear them all!
Here are five things you may not know about Tamarac.
A Popular Myth Busted
For years, people swore Tamarac got its name by reversing "Car-A-Mat," a car wash chain owned by the city's founder, Ken Behring.
It has to be. It just makes sense.
But there's one problem — it's a myth that's about to be BUSTED!
Behring confirmed that he had borrowed the name from the Tamarac Country Club next to his first development.
The car wash connection came from the country club's previous owners, who ran CarMat up north.
But as far as Behring was concerned, it had nothing to do with Tamarac's naming.
So no, the city isn't named after a car wash — and not after an indigenous tree or an Indian chief, as some other wild rumors have suggested.
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A Barn, a Garage, and a Government
In Tamarac's early days, the community didn't have a sleek, modern City Hall.
Instead, from 1969 to 1975, the local government ran out of a former ranch property on Rock Island Road — and the setup was as rustic as it gets!
Picture city council meetings in a barn, with the police department working out of a two-car garage.
We wouldn't be surprised if a manger or some farm animals were hanging out there, too! (Okay, we're exaggerating.)
But despite the farm-style digs, the city functioned just fine, though it did leave a quirky legacy.
One lingering joke? "No Fishing at City Hall."
Why is that, you ask?
The property also had a pond, and some residents got too comfortable casting their lines while waiting for meetings.
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Only For 55 and Up? Not Anymore!
Did you know Tamarac started as a retirement dreamland designed to give seniors the perks of condo life — without sharing walls?
Developer Ken Behring built Tamarac Lakes in 1963 with a straightforward idea: low-maintenance homes, community clubhouses, and no yard work.
The concept took off, and before long, Tamarac was filling up with retirees.
By 1974, over 61% of residents were 55 or older, making it one of the oldest communities in the U.S. at the time — literally and figuratively!
For a while, Tamarac was celebrated as an "adults-only" town.
Then, the 1970s rolled in, and change came knocking.
Neighborhoods like Sunflower, Heathgate, and parts of The Woodlands broke the mold and welcomed younger families, shifting Tamarac's identity from a retiree retreat to a mixed-age community.
Today, the median age has dropped into the 40s, proving that Tamarac is no longer just for morning mall walkers — it's for everyone.
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Counting Down to 2038
Some cities bury time capsules, but Tamarac puts theirs on display.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2013, the Tamarac Historical Society sealed a time capsule — but instead of burying it, they kept it above ground for all to see.
Why? Well, they figured it'd be nice to open the time capsule rather than hoping future generations remember to dig it up.
The countdown is on, so set your reminders for 2038, when the city cracks it open for its 75th anniversary.
Until then, it remains a little snapshot of Tamarac's past, patiently waiting to become history.
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The Course That Broke Jack Nicklaus
Tamarac's Colony West Golf Club has a wild claim to fame — it was LITERALLY too hard for the pros.
Built in 1971 to co-host the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic (now the Honda Classic), the course's design is meant to challenge even the best golfers.
And boy, did it deliver.
Even Jack Nicklaus struggled to conquer the Colony West golf course, scoring a 78 and racking up a disastrous "7" on one hole.
The PGA quickly called it too difficult for tournament play.
The solution? Strip out 52 of the original 137 sand traps, turning it into a slightly friendlier beast.
Even then, it kept a reputation as one of the country's top 50 "toughest" courses.
So, if you ever feel bad about your golf game, remember — even Nicklaus had a rough day in Tamarac.
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