Broward considers name change to Fort Lauderdale

Broward County considers changing name to Fort Lauderdale to attract tourists

Published On: Jan 10 2013 09:53:26 AM EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -

Some tourism officials are suggesting that Broward County change its name to Fort Lauderdale County to capitalize on the international fame of its largest city.

The one-time Spring Break mecca is a popular beachside haven for tourists year-round. A handful of other counties around the country are also pondering name changes as experts say it's better to market the most recognizable name in a region to tourists. The state's largest county changed its name from Dade to Miami-Dade about 15 years ago.

A panel is set to discuss the topic Thursday morning.

Broward County was named after a popular early 20th century governor, Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, who tried to drain the Everglades and died suddenly as he ran for the U.S. Senate.