President Gerald Ford Visits Deerfield Beach

Campaign Stop To Dedicate International Fishing Pier

President Gerald Ford dedicated the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier February 28, 1976, a day that began with an immigration ceremony in Miami. It then took him to almost every town between West Palm Beach and Coral Springs.

At the time, he was running for a second term in office. The president was accompanied by congressmen, state and local elected officials and South Florida business leaders.

He arrived here at 6:25 p.m., was greeted by Mayor Oren Woodwood, City Manager David Gatchel and Pier Manager Charlie Thompson, and then walked the pier to greet local fishermen.

The highlight of his 20-minute visit was a brief speech during which he said, “After a tough recession, America is great and we should all be darned proud of it . . . Thanks for standing steady and firm.”