The Stranahan House, also known as the Pioneer House, is an historic Fort Lauderdale building that is in the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in 1902 as a trading post by Frank Stranahan, the founder of Fort Lauderdale. His wife, Ivy, was the first teacher in the area and used it as a school house. After her death it was under the ownership of a church, which sold it to the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society in 1979. After restorations were completed in 1981, the Stranahan House became a museum complete with turn-of-the-century furnishings and historical photos of the Fort Lauderdale area. The building has also served as the town hall and post office and is considered to be a Fort Lauderdale institution.

Dating back to 1901 and built by the “Father of Fort Lauderdale,” Stranahan House is also referred to as the Pioneer House. In 1984, this mansion was opened for public viewing as a house museum and almost 10,000 tourists visit this landmark annually. Now a historic riverside museum, the elegantly restored house contains antiques, turn-of-the-century furnishings and old photographs of the area. It is also an example of classic Florida Frontier architecture. The house has previously been used as a post office, town hall and general store. The events hosted here includes tours, the Pineapple Jam, the Peter Pan Pirate Party and more. This lovely museum can also be hired for private events and special celebrations.

Constructed from Dade County pine, grand Stranahan House is a fine example of Florida vernacular design, and one of the state's oldest homes. It served as both home and store for Ohio transplant Frank Stranahan, who built a small empire trading with the Seminoles before committing suicide by jumping into the New River after real-estate and stock-market losses in the late 1920s. The house, with many original furnishings, is open daily for three hour-long tours.

Stranahan House is a must-see for all visitors to Fort Lauderdale who want to immerse themselves in the history of this city. Stranahan House is the oldest surviving structure in the city, build in 1901. The house was originally not a home at all but a trading post. Frank and Ivy Stranahan constructed the building to be used as a community center as well as a center for trade. It also soon held a general store and bank. Eventually, in 1906, the Stranahans constructed a new building closer to the railroad for their business ventures and transformed this one into a home. After Frank's suicide, Ivy chose to remain in the house while renting rooms to Fort Lauderdale visitors. She also leased the lower portion of the house to restaurants, which remained in place even after Ivy's death in 1971. She left the house to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which sold the property to the Historical Society of Fort Lauderdale. Visitors can now tour the Stranahan House Museum where they can learn more about the history of the home and the Stranahans themselves. They will also learn about horticulture and agriculture of the region, Native American history and culture, literature and geography. Stranahan House is located at the east end of the Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk. The home, once at the forefront of development in the area, is now nestled between condominiums, restaurants and a large parking garage. However, it still looks out over the New River as it did when it was first constructed over 100 years ago. Why You Should Visit - To learn about the earliest European settlers in Fort Lauderdale - To see the oldest surviving structure in the city Tips Visitors should plan their trip to Stranahan House in advance. Tickets are sold online and all tours of the home's interior are guided. There are only three tours each day. They are available from 1 to 3 PM. Each guided tour lasts one hour.