Dania Beach Historical Society & Museum, Inc.

10/05/2026

There’s something happening at the Dania Beach Historical Society & Museum! Join us as we celebrate community, history, culture, and tradition.

📅 October 10 — Dania Beach Oktoberfest
🏠 October 11 | 1–4 PM — Open House
🎃 October 24 | 6:30–9PM — Halloween Celebration in collaboration with Comfort for Chaos
🏠 November 14 | 1–4 PM — Open House
🕯️ December 13 — St. Lucia Day Celebration

📍 Nyberg-Swanson House
102 W. Dania Beach Blvd.
Dania Beach, FL 33004

All are welcome!

09/24/2026

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
 
The Dania Redbirds, a Negro League team in the 1950s and 1960s, went undefeated in the 1965 season and continued to play long after that era. Oddibe McDowell, who played for the Redbirds in the 1970s, later played with the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Atlanta Braves.

09/18/2026

A century ago, the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926—also known as “The Big Blow”—struck South Florida head-on. Dania Beach suffered immense damage, even though the storm’s eye passed over Miami Beach. Here, we see the remnants of the Dania Beach Ice Plant after the storm had passed.

09/12/2026

08/26/2026

Ever wondered how Dania Beach got its name? 🤔

The answer dates back to 1901, when Danish immigrant Andrew Christian Frost brought his family from Wisconsin to the small settlement of Modelo, Florida. Modelo, a brand-new settlement along Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway line, occupied prime farmland, especially good for growing tomatoes. He soon encouraged dozens of fellow Danish pioneers to join him, helping transform the area into a thriving farming community.
When the town incorporated in 1904, residents chose a new name to avoid confusion with another Modelo farther south. To honor the community’s Danish roots, they named it Dania.
In 1998, the city became Dania Beach, a name that still reflects the heritage of the Danish settlers who helped build Broward County’s First City.
🇩🇰 A city’s name. A Danish legacy. A story worth remembering.
 

08/03/2026

One hundred years ago, this Bank of Dania building saw great upheaval. On July 3, 1926, the bank had to close as depositors sought mass withdrawals in Great Depression-era panic. By August 2, a new bank, Dania Bank & Trust Co., had incorporated and opened the doors again to the public. Better times were ahead!

06/30/2026

Make sure to mark your calendar and join Mary Russ-Milligan talking at July’s Hollywood Historical Society lecture series about Dania Beach’s very own infamous Jaxsons Ice-Cream Parlor and National Ice-Cream Month!
Held Sunday July 12th, 2026 at 1:00PM. At the Mary-Beth Friedman Stirling Road Library. 3151 Stirling Road, Hollywood.

05/20/2026

The Pearl Girlz of Amazing Olsen Middle School in Dania Beach, had an amazing opportunity to visit the Dania Beach Historical Society & Museum, Inc. for a special tour of the historic Nyberg-Swanson House!

During the visit, the girls learned about the rich history of the Nyberg-Swanson House itself, discovered how Dania Beach was known as the “Tomato Capital of the World,” and explored the historic journey of the city through the years. They also heard inspiring stories about the individuals whose hard work, vision, and dedication helped shape Dania Beach into the community it is today.

A special thank you to Tripp Scott Law Firm, for generously providing delicious pizza from Pronto Pizza for the girls to enjoy during this memorable experience!

The Pearl Girlz enjoyed learning about the importance of preserving local history and honoring those who paved the way for future generations! 💜🍅🏡

Special thanks to Mayor Joyce L. Davis, Pearl Girlz & Olsen Middle School