Weston began as Arvida's Indian Trace development, saw its first homes in 1984 and voted to incorporate on Sept. 3, 1996. A timeline from the city's own history.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the City of Weston’s city history, incorporation, City Commissions and city seal pages, and the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. Questions: City Clerk, 954-385-2000.

Weston is a planned city, and a young one. It grew out of Indian Trace, a development by Arvida on land first assembled in the 1950s, and its first residents moved in in 1984. Residents voted to become a city on Sept. 3, 1996, which made 2026 Weston’s 30th anniversary; the city’s Fourth of July theme this year was “America 250, Weston 30.”

Where to learn more

From Arvida’s land to Indian Trace

According to the city’s history page, the roughly 15,000 acres that make up Weston were first assembled in the 1950s by Arthur Vining Davis, the original owner of Arvida, which became Weston’s main developer. The area known as Bonaventure was sold off to be developed separately.

The Arvida project was first called Indian Trace. In 1978 the Indian Trace Development of Regional Impact was approved, allowing more than 25,000 homes; later amendments cut that to 17,000. In 1981 the Indian Trace Community Development District was created to build and run the water and sewer mains, lakes and canals, and main roads, governed by a five-member board appointed by the developer. The development was renamed Weston, and in 1984 the first homes were finished in Windmill Ranch and Country Isles.

Becoming a city

Date What happened
November 1991 With more than 5,000 residents, Weston elects residents to three of the district’s five board seats: Harry Rosen (chair), Kim Ballis and Mark Myers
November 1993 Residents win the other two seats, taking full control of the district
April 1994 The board starts an incorporation feasibility study
May 1995 A nine-member steering committee is appointed; Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines and Sunrise are asked whether annexation would make sense
November 1995 The board votes unanimously to seek a local bill letting residents vote on becoming a city
May 5, 1996 The Florida Legislature approves the bill
Sept. 3, 1996 Residents vote to incorporate; 90% of those voting say yes. The district board becomes the interim City Commission, with Harry Rosen as interim mayor
April 1, 1997 Bonaventure votes to join Weston instead of Sunrise, by almost two to one
June 3, 1997 First city election: Mayor Harry Rosen and Commissioners Eric Hersh, Edwin Jacobson, Steve Keller and Mark Myers
July 1997 First City Manager, John Flint, hired; the city contracts with the Broward Sheriff’s Office for police and with Broward County for fire rescue
October 1997 First City Hall opens in leased space at the Weston Corporate Center
1999 Annexation of conservation land west along U.S. 27 between State Road 84 and Griffin Road
2004 Annexation of the I-75/State Road 84 corridor to the north, bringing the city to 16,539 acres, or 25.8 square miles

Sources: the city’s history and incorporation pages.

The contract model the city chose in 1997 still runs Weston today: BSO provides police and fire rescue, and Calvin, Giordano and Associates provides planning, zoning and engineering.

Weston’s mayors

From the city’s list of City Commissions:

Mayor Commissions
Harry M. Rosen First (1997) and second (1999)
Eric M. Hersh Third (2001) through eighth (2010-2012)
Daniel J. Stermer Ninth (2012-2014) through 12th (2018-2020)
Margaret Brown 13th (2020-2022) to the current 15th (2024-2026)

Landmarks

No Weston property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 41 Broward County listings compiled from National Park Service records are in other cities, such as Fort Lauderdale, Davie and Hollywood. A city founded in 1996 on land developed from 1984 on has few buildings old enough to qualify.

What Weston does have:

  • Weston History Walk: the city’s park directory lists history walk stops at Library Park, 4255 Bonaventure Blvd., and Peace Mound Park, 1300 Three Village Road, which has a fishing dock on the water. Both are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Weston Town Center: the clock tower at Main Street and Bell Tower Lane anchors the town center, home of the city’s July 4 parade route and Town Center Park’s waterside amphitheater.
  • The city seal: an orange sun among palm trees, water, Everglades grass and herons, which the city says “suggests a bright tomorrow for Weston.” State law makes unauthorized use of a city seal a misdemeanor.

We found no public museum or historical cemetery in Weston on the city’s pages. If you know of a marker, archive or historical society collection we should list, tell us through our contact page.

Related: Weston population and growth, parks and trails and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

When was Weston, Florida, incorporated?

On Sept. 3, 1996, when residents of the Indian Trace Community Development District voted to incorporate; 90% of those voting were in favor, according to the city.

Who developed Weston?

Arvida. The land was first assembled in the 1950s by Arthur Vining Davis, Arvida’s original owner, and the development was first called Indian Trace before it was renamed Weston.

When did Bonaventure join Weston?

Bonaventure residents voted on April 1, 1997, to join Weston instead of Sunrise, by an almost two-to-one margin, the city says.

Who was the first mayor of Weston?

Harry Rosen, first as interim mayor in 1996 and then elected at the city’s first election on June 3, 1997.

Are there historic landmarks in Weston?

Weston is a young city and has no property on the National Register of Historic Places. The city’s Weston History Walk runs through Library Park and Peace Mound Park.