Belle Follansbee

Belle Follansbee 1882-1966: History Fort Lauderdale Photograph Collection
Belle Follansbee 1882-1966

History Fort Lauderdale Photograph Collection

Name/Title

Belle Follansbee

Entry/Object ID

003

Tags

Belle Follansbee, Women's History

Description

Belle Follansbee

Photograph Details

Subject Person or Organization

Belle Ashlyn Follansbee

Collection

Women's History, History Fort Lauderdale Photograph Collection

Cataloged By

Emeri Cejka

Category

photographs

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Print, Photographic

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Photograph

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Graphic Documents

Nomenclature Class

Documentary Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

General Notes

Note Type

Historical Note

Note

Belle Follansbee 1882-1966 Stage actress and comic, Belle Follansbee, also known as Belle Ashlyn, arrived in Fort Lauderdale in 1931. Newly married, Belle quickly fell in love with Fort Lauderdale and established a permanent residency by 1933. As an actress and comedian, Belle was best known for the ability to manipulate her face into hilarious and grotesque shapes. A talent she took from Chicago, to New York, and eventually London during WWI. A Chicago native, Belle quickly involved herself in the life and community of Fort Lauderdale. An advocate for what she believed in, Belle was devoted to causes which supported active military and veterans. Her brother, Harold Volk, served in WWI while Belle, herself, drove ambulances during the Great War. During WWII, she donated the use of her home to recovering soldiers. Belle’s support for the war effort led to her stance against a tunnel going under the New River at the Federal Bridge crossing. Opposed to the New River Tunnel, Belle instead offered a Memorial Bridge for soldiers, sailors, marines, and aviators.

Created By

eandrews@historyfortlauderdale.org

Create Date

November 15, 2023

Updated By

eandrews@historyfortlauderdale.org

Update Date

November 15, 2023