On June 10, 1858, Fort Dallas, once located at the mouth of the Miami River, is abandoned by the US army. The Fort Dallas officer's quarters was stationed about where the downtown Miami Hyatt is located today.

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OTD: June 10, 1902 - First National Bank of Miami Chartered

On June 10, 1902, the First National Bank was chartered. The institution was founded by Edward C. Romfh along with several investors who were early Miami pioneers.

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OTD: June 11, 1924 - Groundbreaking for Miami Daily News Tower

On the morning of June 11, 1924, workman began clearing pine trees that covered the lot at NE Sixth Street and North Bay Shore Drive in downtown Miami to make room for what would become the Miami News Tower. It was completed in the summer of 1925. This building is known today as Freedom Tower.

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OTD: June 11, 1971 - Versailles Restaurant Opened

On June 11, 1971, Versailles Restaurant opened for business on SW 8th Street in Miami by Felipe Valls, who was a Cuban refugee from Santiago, Cuba. The establishment has developed a loyal patronage with South Floridians and tourists seeking Cuban cuisine.

OTD: June 12, 1913 - Collins Bridge Opened

On June 12, 1913, the Collins Bridge opened, marking a pivotal moment in the development of South Florida. Stretching 2.5 miles across Biscayne Bay, it was considered the longest wooden bridge in the world and provided the first direct connection between Miami and the barrier island that would soon become Miami Beach.

The bridge was the vision of farmer and developer John S. Collins, who sought a reliable link to his agricultural holdings on the barrier island. When construction costs exceeded the Collins family’s financial resources, entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher stepped in with the capital needed to complete the project.

In exchange, Fisher received valuable land holdings that would become the foundation of his ambitious plans to transform Miami Beach into “America’s Winter Playground.”

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OTD: June 14, 1917 - Groundbreaking for Johnson Apartments

On June 14, 1917, the ground breaking for the Johnson Apartments took place. The Miami Metropolis reported that the Johnson Hotel Apartments would become the largest apartment building in Miami upon its completion. The complex officially opened on December 28th of the same year.

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OTD: June 14, 1930 - Al Capone Arrested in Miami for Perjury

On June 14, 1930, Dade County Circuit Court Judge Paul Barns granted Vincent Giblin's dismissal motion on the "padlock" suit against Al Capone. The motion ruled that the state had not proven that Capone's Palm Island mansion represented a "nuisance" to the community. On the same day, Capone was charged with perjury by Dade County Solicitor George E. McCaskill for statements made during a law suit hearing that Capone filed for harassment and false imprisonment against several Miami officials.

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OTD: June 14, 1993 - Florida Panthers Unveil Uniform

On June 14, 1993, the Florida Panthers unveil their uniforms for their inaugural season of 1993 - 94.

OTD: June 15, 1895 - Coconut Grove Library Formed

On June 15, 1895, the Coconut Grove Library was formed as the "Pine Needle Club". It was not until 1901 when Kirk Munroe constructed a building on land donated by Ralph Munroe that the library had an official home. The facility officially opened on March 6, 1901.

OTD: June 30, 1930 - Remembering Coconut Grove Pioneer Kirk Munroe

Remembering prominent Coconut Grove pioneer, Kirk Munroe, who passed away on June 16, 1930. Munroe was a world renowned writer of adventure novels for boys and one of the founding members of the Bay Biscayne Yacht Club which was established in 1887. He and his wife, Mary Barr Munroe, who was also a writer and early South Florida environmentalist, moved to The Grove in 1886 and lived at a property they called the ‘Scrububs’ off of Main Highway. The couple formed the Coconut Grove Library, which was referred to as the Pine Needle Club when it began in 1895. The Kirk Munroe Tennis Club in Coconut Grove is named for him. He was 79 years-old when he passed.

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Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

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On June 2, 1926, the first mass for Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church on Miami Beach in their first permanent home was held in a refurbished polo stable provided by Carl Fisher. Following the 1926 Hurricane, which destroyed the parish’s temporary home, led Father John O’Leary to raise money to build the church and rectory seen in the photograph at 3716 Garden Avenue in Miami Beach.

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OTD: June 3, 1886 - Coral Gables Founder George Merrick was Born

On June 3, 1886, George Edgar Merrick was born. Merrick was the founder and father of both the city of Coral Gables and the University of Miami. Click on the button below to listen to Merrick’s story of the founding of the City of Coral Gables.

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OTD: June 4, 1943 - Florida Governor Spessard Holland Signs Married Women’s Emancipation Bill

On June 4, 1943, Governor Spessard Holland signed into law the 'Married Women's Emancipation Bill' which provided rights to married women to sign contracts, sue or be sued, and hold power of attorney. Prior to this law, married women had to defer to their husbands pertaining to contractual matters and property ownership. One of the key activists that helped get this signed into law was Sheila Murrell, an attorney who lived at 1500 Brickell Avenue with her husband in a lavish residence nicknamed Petit Douy. She is seen in the photograph on the right between her husband and another gentleman taken at the Surf Club in the 1950s.

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OTD: June 6, 1897 - Church of the Holy Name Celebrates First Mass

On June 6, 1897, the Church of the Holy Name, Miami's first catholic church, celebrated its first Mass. The church was later renamed Gesu Catholic Church and is located at 118 NE Second Street in downtown Miami.

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OTD: June 6, 2001 - Dr. James Jackson’s Former Residence was Demolished

On June 6, 2001, despite an effort by the Dade Heritage Trust to preserve the historic home, Dr. James Jackson's former residence was demolished. The home was moved to the Brickell neighborhood in 1916, but was in a state of disrepair by the turn of the 21st Century, prompting the property to be redeveloped into the Solaris at Brickell Bay condominium shortly after the demolition of Jackson’s former residence.

OTD: June 8, 1911 - Glenn Curtiss Issued Pilot License #1

On June 8, 1911, aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss was issued pilot license #1 from the Aero Club of America. Because the licenses were issued in alphabetical order, Wilbur Wright received license #5 at the same time. Curtiss trained pilots in South Florida during WWI, and was a founder of the cities of Miami Springs, Opa-locka and Hialeah.

Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

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When Young F. Gray arrived in Miami in 1896, his specialized skills were immediately put to work. A trained dynamite expert from Texas, Gray had been hired by the Florida East Coast Railway to help clear obstacles as the railroad pushed south into the remote frontier of South Florida. After labor crews struggled to cut through dense scrub palmetto and tenacious coastal thicket within the new city limits, pioneer builder John Sewell relied on Gray and other blasting specialists to dynamite the most stubborn terrain and prepare the land for Miami’s early development.

Although the 26-year-old Gray had no previous law enforcement experience, that did not prevent him from seeking public office during Miami’s incorporation proceedings on July 28, 1896. Running against S.S. Puckett for the position of city marshal, Gray won decisively by a vote of 247 to 97. His victory secured his place in history as the first lawman of the newly incorporated City of Miami.

The Early Years

In addition to the city clerk, the marshal was only one of two municipal employees to receive a salary during Miami’s earliest days. Because the position carried such broad authority, including serving as the city’s tax collector, Young F. Gray earned $50 per month along with a percentage of the taxes he collected on behalf of the city.

Gray’s responsibilities extended far beyond preserving law and order. In addition to policing the fledgling community and collecting taxes, the marshal also acted as building inspector, sanitary inspector, street cleaner, and superintendent of sidewalks and roads. For the first two years as lawman, Gray essentially operated as a one-man municipal department tasked with overseeing many of the basic functions necessary to keep the young City of Miami operating.

The ordinance establishing the powers of the marshal also placed important limits and oversight on the position. The mayor held the authority to suspend the marshal for incompetence or malfeasance, while the city council’s Committee on Police and Charities was empowered to supervise many of his day-to-day duties. Even in its infancy, Miami’s municipal government sought to create checks and balances over its first law enforcement officer.

By October 1896, the city council had adopted thirty-five ordinances carrying fines or jail sentences for violators. Some of the regulations reflected the practical concerns, and occasional peculiarities, of life in the frontier town. Among the prohibited acts were “bathing in any public place in a state of nudity” and operating vehicles on Miami’s streets without “a bell, gong or whistle” to warn pedestrians and other drivers at crossings.

More serious offenses requiring detention posed a challenge during Miami’s first year because the fledgling city did not have a jail until December 1896. That winter, municipal officials added a jail above the city council chamber in a makeshift municipal building. The city would not construct its first city hall or police station until 1910. Prior to its completion, writers for the Metropolis would frequently complain that Marshal Young F. Gray was unable to properly arrest “nude bathers, sanitary violators, and other lawbreakers” because there was nowhere to confine them. Once the facility opened, Gray added yet another responsibility to his growing list of duties by serving as the city’s first jailer.

During his first two terms as Miami’s lawman, Gray developed a reputation for enforcing the law with rigor and enthusiasm. He regularly patrolled the young city by bicycle and, according to historian Helen Muir in her book Miami U.S.A., would race toward disturbances “brandishing his pistol” while shouting, “Stop in the name of law!” The image of Gray speeding through the dusty streets on a bicycle reflected both the improvisational nature of policing in early Miami and the larger-than-life character of the city’s first marshal.

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On May 25, 1912, several prominent Miami pioneers formed the Ocean Beach Realty Company for the purpose of buying and selling real estate on the island that would become Miami Beach. Some of the people listed as principals of the company included Joseph A. McDonald, James E. Lummus, John N. Lummus, Avery Smith and Dan Hardie, to name a few.

OTD: May 28, 1899 - Miami’s First Lawman Fired

On May 28, 1899, Marshal Young F. Gray, Miami’s first lawman, was suspended from office by Mayor John B. Reilly. In his last year on duty, Gray had been remiss in fulfilling his duties and had a reputation for drinking on the job. He later resigned from his position as marshal and tax collector and was replaced by his assistant John Girtman.

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OTD: May 31, 1941 - Memorial Day Remembrance

Above is a composite of a Miami Herald headline on Memorial Day in 1941. The article was published on May 31st, more than six months prior to the United States entry into World War II. The headline provided a reminder of the war that raged overseas with an ominous appreciation for the slumber of peacetime for America during the Memorial Day holiday of 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Memorial Day would take on a more contemporary observance as those back home remembered the men and women who lost their lives during the great war.

OTD: May 31, 1983 - Historical Designation of Petit Douy in Brickell

On May 31, 1983, the Miami City Commission voted in favor of providing local historic designation protection to Petit Douy located at 1500 Brickell Avenue. It was one of the first structures in the city to be given this designation.

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Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

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On May 17, 1980, five Dade County policemen were acquitted of beating a black man, Arthur McDuffie, to death, sparking a three-day riot in Liberty City leaving 18 dead and $100 million in property damage. McDuffie was a marine veteran who was eluding police by motorcycle when he was stopped and beaten to death by the arresting officers. The controversial acquittal was a surprise to many observing the trial and sparked outrage throughout the black communities in Dade County.

OTD: May 18, 1870 - Miami’s First Mayor was Born

On May 18, 1870, John B. Reilly, the first Mayor of Miami, was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Reilly served four one-year terms as the mayor from 1896 to 1900. He was son-in-law to Joseph A. McDonald, the man who Henry Flagler put in charge to oversee the development of the City of Miami in 1896.

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OTD: May 18, 1968 - Miami Pop Festival at Gulfstream Park

On May 18, 1968, the two-day Miami Pop Festival began at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Florida. The festival attracted an estimate 25,000 people to the event. The headline act was The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Although the second day of the event was rained out, it did inspire Hendrix to write the song “Rainy Day, Dream Away.” The promotors of the concert were Richard O’Barry and Michael Lang who would go on to organize Woodstock in 1969. There would be a second concert at Gulfstream Park in December 1968, called the “Miami Pop and Underground Festival,” which was organized by a different set of promotors and unrelated to the first.

OTD: May 19, 1946 - First Presbyterian Church Leases Downtown Parcel

On May 19, 1946, the First Presbyterian Church leased the northern parcel of their downtown property to the Roper Corporation for a term of 99-years and an annual amount of $46,600. This is the parcel that the downtown church edifice was located.

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OTD: May 20, 1843 - William English Buys Land in South Florida

On May 20, 1843, William English purchased land from his Uncle Richard Fitzpatrick, which included 2,660 acres, over four square miles, on the north and south side of the Miami River, along with another 640 acres, one square mile, along the New River in today's downtown Fort Lauderdale, $16,000. This land included the acreage used for Fort Dallas from 1838 until 1842 (north side of the Miami River), and much of today's downtown Miami and Brickell neighborhood.

OTD: May 20, 1913 - Remembering Pioneer Founder Henry Flagler

Remembering Miami founding pioneer Henry M. Flagler on the anniversary of his passing on May 20, 1913, at his Whitehall residence in Palm Beach, Florida. Flagler became one of the richest men in America as part of Standard Oil during the peak of the Gilded Era of the mid to late 1800s. After retiring to Florida, Flagler invested in the development of the east coast of Florida from Saint Augustine through the Florida Keys. As part of that initiative, Flagler was incentivized by fellow Miami founding pioneers Julia Tuttle, as well as William and Mary Brickell, to extend his railway and invest in the development of the City of Miami in the mid-1890s.

Click on the button below to listen to the Miami History Podcast episode about Henry Flagler’s role in developing South Florida.

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OTD: May 21, 1878 - Pioneer Aviator Glenn Curtiss was Born

On May 21, 1878, Glenn Curtiss, motorcycle and aviation pioneer, who was issued pilot license #1 in the United States, and founder of Miami Springs, Hialeah, Opalocka in South Florida, was born in Hammondsport, New York.

OTD: May 21, 1917 - Miami Beach Incorporates as a City

On May 21, 1917, a little over two years after becoming a town and with a population of several hundred, the town of Miami Beach became the City of Miami Beach.

OTD: May 22, 1825 - Founding Pioneer William Brickell was Born

Miami Pioneer William Brickell was born on May 22, 1825, in Steubenville, Ohio. Brickell moved his family to the banks of the Miami River in 1871 after acquiring the acreage on the southside of the river to where Vizcaya is located today. Upon arriving, William opened a trading post at Brickell Point at the mouth of the Miami River. The Brickell neighborhood is named for this family.

Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

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This podcast episode explores the history of the Opa-locka, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of its incorporation on May 14, 1926. Founded by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, the distinctive North Miami-Dade community was envisioned around an “Arabian Nights” theme. Opa-locka became renowned for its remarkable collection of Moorish Revival architecture, the largest concentration of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, featuring onion domes, minarets, courtyards, and whimsical street names inspired by tales such as Ali Baba and Aladdin.

The city also developed into an important aviation hub through the growth of Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, which at one time ranked among the busiest commercial airports in the United States. In 1982, Opa-locka established a Historic Environment Preservation Board to help protect its architectural heritage, and many of the city’s signature buildings from its formative years have since been carefully restored and preserved, ensuring that its unique character continues into its second century.

Tune into this week’s podcast episode to hear more about the City of Opa-Locka. You can download this episode on your favorite podcast platform (iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Spotify) or listen directly on the Miami-History website. Please remember to click on the subscribe button and to provide a rating and comment on any of the platforms where this podcast episode is available.

On May 10, 1865, federal troops marched into the Florida capital of Tallahassee, formally ending Confederate control of the state government and symbolizing the collapse of the Confederacy in Florida. The occupation came nearly a month after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox and only days after Confederate forces throughout the South began laying down their arms. Tallahassee was the only Confederate Capitol, east of the Mississippi, that had not been captured by the end of the Civil War, which officially ended on April 9, 1865.

OTD: May 10, 1961 - The Playboy Club in Miami Opens

On May 10, 1961, the Playboy Club opened at 7701 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. The club operated at this location for more than twenty years before it closed in 1983. It briefly moved to the Miami Airport Inn but closed permanently in 1985. It’s former location is now an Advanced Auto Parts store.

OTD: May 14, 1979 - Art Deco District Placed on National Register

On May 14, 1979, the Art Deco District on Miami Beach was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places for a historic district means official recognition of its historical and architectural significance. The biggest advantage to this distinction is that it provides a public record of the district's importance and can open doors to preservation incentives and federal grants.

OTD: May 14, 1998 - Remembering Marjory Stoneman Douglas

On May 14, 1998, Marjory Stoneman Douglas died at the age of 108. Marjory was a journalist, writer, feminist and environmentalist that spent most of her adult life in Miami. She was a staunch defender of the everglades by opposing drainage in the interest of land development.

OTD: May 15, 1896 - The Miami Metropolis Published First Issue

The Miami Metropolis, forerunner of the Miami News, published it's first issue on May 15, 1896. It was the first newspaper in Miami and the first issue was published two months prior to the incorporation of the city.

OTD: May 16, 1918 - Downtown YMCA Dedicated

On May 16, 1918, the YMCA in downtown Miami was formally dedicated at 40 NE Third Avenue, aka Short Street.

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Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

Get Your Signed Copy

When Mitchell Wolfson and Sidney Meyer established the Wolfson-Meyer Theatre Company in 1925, they envisioned a modern, cutting-edge venue for downtown Miami. They chose a prominent site along one of the city’s main thoroughfares to construct The Capitol Theatre at 310 North Miami Avenue which would be the centerpiece of the organization’s entertainment district for decades to follow.

Designed as an upscale “first-run” house, the theater was meant to showcase the finest films available at the time. It would also introduce a feature that few Miami residents would experience in their own homes until decades later, air conditioning, which underscored the venue’s emphasis on comfort and innovation.

Built During the Boom

The Capitol Theatre was designed by architect E. T. Wells in a Spanish-influenced style. Construction was awarded to the S. S. Jacobs Company of Omaha, a choice likely influenced by Sidney Meyer, who was raised in Omaha and educated at the University of Nebraska.

Although the mid-1920s building boom fueled unbridled growth across Miami, it also created intense competition for materials and labor. Construction began in 1925 but quickly fell behind schedule as shortages slowed progress. By late that year, both supplies and skilled workers were scarce, forcing the contractor to bring in additional labor from outside the region. Despite these challenges, the theater was completed by the summer of 1926 at a cost of $300,000.

Inside, the Capitol Theatre was a richly decorated interior, featuring an intricate mosaic floor and an impressive chandelier. Its color palette of orange, ivory, gold, and green, evoked the hues of a tropical sunset. The spacious interior included a main floor, balcony, and orchestra seating, blending the grandeur of the Gilded Age with a distinctly South Florida flair.

One of the building’s most innovative features was its early form of air conditioning. Large fans circulated air that had been cooled by passing through a fine spray of ice water, maintaining a steady temperature of 70 degrees. On opening night, which occurred during the peak of the summer, this system provided a welcome relief from Miami’s heat, offering patrons a level of comfort few had ever experienced.

Opening Night of the Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre officially opened on the evening of June 25, 1926, welcoming 1,500 invited guests on a typical warm June night in Miami. The newly installed ventilation system proved immediately popular, providing welcome relief from the heat. According to the following day’s Miami Herald, several hundred additional people were turned away from the sold-out grand opening.

In contrast to modern premieres, theater openings in this era were major social events, often structured as full evening programs of entertainment. The Capitol’s debut reflected that tradition. The audience was first greeted by Mr. James Donn, followed by Seigbert Asher, who performed a rendition of “The Volga Boatman.” Miss Evelyn Brown, billed as a “danseuse,” then took the stage before a newsreel was shown to the audience.

The evening concluded with the feature presentation, a Universal Pictures production titled The Midnight Sun, a drama set in Russia during the time of the Czars.

Many years later, Mitchell Wolfson recalled that the true highlight of the night was the performance by the Capitol Theatre Orchestra. Under the direction of Mario Armellini, former musical director of the Roney Plaza, Royal Poinciana, and Breakers hotels, the orchestra earned a standing ovation from the audience. From that opening night forward, the Capitol Theatre Orchestra became a beloved fixture among Miami theatergoers.

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OTD: May 1, 1917 - Miami Beach Re-Charters as a City

After incorporating as a town in 1915, Miami Beach grew rapidly and decided to reincorporate as a city just two years later. On May 1, 1917, the town of Miami Beach filed to re-incorporate as the City of Miami Beach. This process required the Florida State Legislature to approve the change of status, which was finalized prior to the end of the month of May.

OTD: May 1, 1918 - D.A. Dorsey Buys Terminal Island

On May 1, 1918, Dana A. Dorsey purchased what would later become Fisher Island from Herman B. Walker for $25,000. Dorsey's plan was to build a resort for African Americans on the island, but the plan never materialized and the island was sold to Carl Fisher in 1919, who in turn, traded the island in 1925 for a yacht owned by William K. Vanderbilt II.

OTD: May 1, 1987 - Aquila Sculpture Dedicated

On May 1, 1987, the largest bronze sculpture in North America, located behind the Bank of America tower at 701 Brickell Avenue and designed by sculptor John Raimondi, was dedicated.

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OTD: May 2, 1927 - Ingraham Building Opened

On Monday, May 2, 1927, the Ingraham Building, at 25 SE Second Avenue in downtown Miami, celebrated its formal opening.

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OTD: May 6, 1919 - Lot Purchased for Hotel Martinique

On May 6, 1919, CJ Martin acquired a lot in downtown Miami for $16,000 to construct Hotel Martinique at 226 NE First Street.

OTD: May 8, 1930 - Capone Arrested in Route to the Olympia Theater

On May 8, 1930, Al Capone and his entourage were stopped and arrested in route from his Palm Island home to the Olympia Theater to watch the movie "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu".

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Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

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The cover photograph captures a sweeping aerial view of downtown Miami just two weeks after the devastating hurricane of September 17–18, 1926. Taken by Richard B. Hoit from an airplane, the image documents the widespread destruction left in the storm’s wake, a catastrophe that effectively brought an end to South Florida’s real estate boom of the 1920s.

The storm’s impact across the region was profound, and this photograph offers a panoramic view of the damage inflicted on Miami’s central business district. Though not fully visible in the frame, the Royal Palm Hotel, Miami’s first grand resort, developed by the Flagler organization, suffered irreparable damage during the Category 4 hurricane. Its circular entrance can be seen on the left side of the image. The once iconic hotel never reopened after the storm and was ultimately dismantled and demolished beginning in 1928.

In the foreground, the open expanses that were once Royal Palm Park tell another dramatic story of the storm’s force. These grounds became an unlikely resting place for schooners and pleasure boats that had been anchored in Biscayne Bay, some carried more than 1,000 feet inland. The park’s palm trees were heavily battered, with many either damaged beyond recovery or completely destroyed, underscoring the sheer intensity of the hurricane.

At the center of the photograph stands the partially completed Ingraham Building, its upper steel framework still exposed when the hurricane struck. The unfinished top floors endured sustained winds of 128 miles per hour, with gusts reaching as high as 150. Although the structure sustained damage, construction resumed soon after the storm, and the building officially opened on May 1, 1927, as the headquarters for the Model Land Company.

The most severe structural damage in downtown Miami occurred in the building visible to the right, or north of the Ingraham Building, identified as the Meyer-Keyser Building at 139 NE First Street. This 18-story structure, which had opened on March 3, 1926, was twisted during the storm, bending between the fourth and ninth floors. Many feared it would need to be condemned and demolished. Instead, engineers chose to salvage the building, ultimately reducing its height to seven stories as part of a major reconstruction effort rather than tearing it down completely.

The storm’s destruction was driven first by relentless, sustained winds, but it was the surge of water that proved most devastating. As the hurricane pushed a powerful storm surge into the city, downtown buildings were battered, windows were blown out, and floodwaters poured inside, leaving significant damage to lower floors and interior spaces.

While the storm effectively ended any momentum left of the building boom, it did not discourage local leaders from believing the city will build back quickly. When Miami City Mayor Edward C. Romfh spoke, he spoke confidently in not only Miami’s long term outlook, but even the prospects of having a successful upcoming tourist season during the winter of 1926 – 27.

The mayor released a statement, six days after the storm, reassuring those planning on traveling to Miami in the months that followed the great storm:

“I want to give positive assurance that our friends will find Miami this winter the same enjoyable, hospitable, comfortable vacation city it has always been. I predict that Miami will make a world record comeback. The people here have the enthusiasm, the will to do, an unshaken faith in the future of this great city. It is the same people who have created the fastest growing city in America who are now turning their energies and enthusiasm to the work of reconstruction in Miami.”

While those who remained to rebuild Miami were optimistic and persistent, the storm ushered in an economic malaise three years prior to the stock market crash of 1929. While Miami experienced the lows of the Great Depression several years earlier than the rest of the country, by the mid-1930s, through creative promotion and a looming war in Europe, the city began its ascent out of the depression.

A century later, the 1926 hurricane is still regarded as one of South Florida’s most devastating natural disasters. Cutting a path roughly sixty miles along Florida’s coastline, the storm claimed 220 lives, injured more than 6,300 people, and caused an estimated $30 to $100 million in damage, equivalent to roughly $560 million to $1.8 billion today.

On April 26, 1928, Miami and Tampa were joined when the 284-mile Tamiami Trail (US 41), officially opened. Built between 1915 and 1928, it was a major engineering achievement that carved a path through the wetlands of the Everglades. The road opened the region to travel, tourism, and development, playing a key role in the growth of South Florida.

Today, the Trail runs through Everglades National Park and offers a unique window into the area’s ecosystem, with stops like Shark Valley providing access to wildlife and scenic landscapes. While it remains an important transportation route, the Trail has also impacted natural water flow in the Everglades, prompting ongoing restoration efforts to better balance infrastructure with environmental preservation.

OTD: April 26, 1983 - Miami Dolphins Draft Quarterback Dan Marino

On Tuesday, April 26, 1983, the Miami Dolphins selected Dan Marino in the NFL Draft. The Dolphins were coming off a Super Bowl loss against the Washington Redskins the prior season which meant that they were selecting second to last in the first round of the 1983 draft. Don Shula was pleasantly surprised that Dan Marino was there for the taking allowing Dolphin Fans to watch Dan the Man "pick a guy and let it fly" for 17 seasons.

OTD: April 29, 1925 - The City of Coral Gables Incorporated

On April 29, 1925, Coral Gables incorporated as a city. As it was nicknamed, The City Beautiful, was guided by the vision of developer and poet George Merrick.

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OTD: April 30, 1920 - First Non-Stop Flight from Miami to New York City

On April 30, 1920, the first "non-stop" flight from Miami to New York City took place. The airplane, named Miss Miami, was a Aero Limited hydro airplane and made the 1,539 mile flight in 15 hours and 35 minutes flying time.

OTD: April 30, 1936 - Merger Forms Central Baptist Church

On April 30, 1936, the First and Temple Baptist Churches merged to organize as the Central Baptist Church. The new entity has conducted service out of the downtown location at 500 NE First Avenue since this consolidation.

Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

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This episode tells the story of two brothers who arrived on the shores of Biscayne Bay and the Miami River the very year the City of Miami was incorporated. John and Everest Sewell were not only early pioneers, but also among the city’s first retailers. As Miami grew, both men would go on to serve multiple terms as mayor, helping shape the direction of the young community.

John Sewell’s enduring legacy includes the home he built in 1912 just outside the city, constructed from native rock and still remembered today. John’s Halissee Hall is still standing and part of the Jackson Health Complex. His younger brother, Everest, became one of Miami’s most influential promoters, leading the Chamber of Commerce and working alongside local business leaders to launch the first Orange Bowl game, an effort designed to draw visitors during the depths of the Great Depression. Together, the Sewell brothers played a central role in Miami’s formative years.

Tune into this week’s podcast episode to hear more about the Sewell Brothers. You can download this episode on your favorite podcast platform (iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Spotify) or listen directly on the Miami-History website. Please remember to click on the subscribe button and to provide a rating and comment on any of the platforms where this podcast episode is available.

On April 17, 1961, a group of CIA-backed Cuban exiles launched an invasion at the Bay of Pigs, a remote area along the southern coast of Cuba, to overthrow Fidel Castro's government. This failed invasion occurred during the height of the Cold War with Russia and the failure of the operation resulted in a closer relationship between Cuba and the Soviet Union, which led to the subsequent Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962.

The invading Cuban dissidents, known as Brigade 2506, were met with stiff resistance which led to the death of 119 and the capture of over 1200 brigade soldiers during the invasion. There is a Bay of Pigs Museum & Library at 1338 SW 8th Street in Miami, and the Assault Brigade 2506 Museum at 13651 NW 107th Avenue in Hialeah Gardens, documenting the effort and losses of the Cuban exiles that participated in the invasion.

OTD: April 18, 1923 - James Cox Buys the Miami Metropolis

On June 4, 1923, former Ohio governor, and Democrat nominee for president in 1920, James Middleton Cox bought the Miami Metropolis newspaper and renamed it the Miami Daily News-Metropolis. Attached is a photo of James Cox next to the Miami Metropolis building of 1923 located on Flagler Street. The newspaper constructed the Miami Daily News Tower in 1924, and moved into it when it officially opened on July 26, 1925.

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OTD: April 19, 1926 - Model Land Company Breaks Ground for Ingraham Building

On April 19, 1926, the Model Land Company broke ground to construct the Ingraham Building. The building was designed by Schultz & Weaver and is located at 25 SE Second Avenue in downtown Miami. The building was named for James Ingraham, Flagler’s right-hand man and president of the Model Land Company who died on October 25, 1924. Click on the button below to listen to the podcast episode on the history of the edifice.

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OTD: April 20, 1980 - Mariel Boatlift

On April 20, 1980, the Mariel Boatlift begins after the Castro government declares that all Cubans wanting to leave the country can report to the Port of Mariel, to the southwest of Havana, and leave as part of a boatlift to the United States that took place between April and October of 1980.

In total, the immigration from the Port of Mariel led to more than 125,000 refugees fleeing Cuba who mostly settled in South Florida. Refugees were housed initially in and around the Orange Bowl, but relocated to a camp established under the I-95 overpass near today's Jose Marti Park along the Miami River once football season began in August of 1980.

OTD: April 22, 1896 - First Passenger Service to Miami

On April 22, 1896, the Florida East Coast Railway began regular passenger service to the not yet named City of Miami. The city would get its name on July 28, 1896 as part of the incorporation proceedings.

OTD: April 22, 1987 - NBA Miami Heat Awarded

On April 22, 1987, the Miami Heat was named one of four new NBA franchises. The Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, and Minnesota Timberwolves were the other three franchises awarded as part of the 1987 expansion. Let’s Go Heat!

Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

Purchase Signed Copy

The cover image captures the Morris Apartments at 1309 Brickell Avenue on August 24, 1948. Originally constructed in 1921, the building opened the following year as the Royal Apartments. After a sale in 1924, the property was rebranded as the Royal Palm Apartments, reflecting a subtle shift in identity during Miami’s early growth years.

Marketed as spacious four-room residences, the apartments were described in advertisements as “very elaborately furnished.” Promotional materials emphasized the building’s prime location near Biscayne Bay, highlighting the cooling bay breezes and the convenience of a short walk to downtown. When the property debuted in 1922, units rented for $30 per month. By 1933, rents had increased to $60 under lease, or $70 for month-to-month occupancy.

In the mid-1940s, the building was acquired by Harry Morris, who renamed it the Morris Apartments. It continued to operate as a residential property until 1967, when it was converted into commercial office space for the Dodd Realty Corporation. The firm remained in the building until its sale and eventual vacancy in 1981.

One of the more colorful tenants of the Morris Apartments was Roger Steadman, a pilot who resided in the building in 1958. That year, he was arrested on charges of conspiracy to launch a military expedition against a friendly nation and to unlawfully export arms and ammunition. Steadman had agreed to assist a group of twenty-two Cuban rebel sympathizers in transporting weapons to Cuba during a volatile moment in the island’s history.

The plan centered on an aging B-18 bomber, which the group intended to fly from Prospect Field in Fort Lauderdale to Cuba. The aircraft was to be loaded with rifles, submachine guns, ammunition, and field equipment. Prospect Field, originally known as West Prospect Satellite Field, had been constructed in 1941 as a training base for Naval aviators during World War II. After the war, the federal government transferred the site to the City of Fort Lauderdale in 1947, where it evolved into today’s Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE).

The operation unraveled when nearby residents reported suspicious activity at the airfield. Members of the group had driven ten cars onto the property and begun unloading crates of weapons onto the plane. Law enforcement quickly intervened, triggering a chaotic series of events that included machine gun fire and multiple car chases. By the end of the night on November 11, 1958, authorities had arrested twenty Cuban men, two Cuban women, and one American, Steadman.

In the aftermath, Steadman acknowledged that the overloaded B-18, which pre-dated World War II, likely would never have made it off the ground due to the cumulative weight of the cargo. Each crate loaded onto the aircraft bore a single, telling label: “Fidel.”

Sources:

• Miami Herald: “Arms-Laden Bomber, 22 Cubans Captured In Broward Gunfire”, November 11, 1958.

This is a video of the preparation and implosion of the Mandarin Oriental in Brickell Key on Claughton Island on April 12, 2026. The first photo in the video is of the island a decade ago in 2016, and the second photo is of the five-star hotel in May 2024.

The filming of the implosion was taken from the 35th Floor in the north tower of the Plaza on Brickell condominium building directly across from the former hotel building. Parts of the video are time-lapsed, but the implosion was filmed live.

The video was shot by me, Casey Piket, and special thanks goes to Miami History Substack subscriber Stephen Macchiaverna for providing his balcony for this event.

On April 9, 1924, the second SW Second Avenue bridge opened across the Miami River. This was the second bridge at the overpass of SW Second Avenue, formerly called Avenue G, with the first being a wooden bridge with a sliding draw that opened in December of 1896, and was removed after the construction of the Avenue D, now named South Miami Avenue, steel bridge in 1903.

OTD: April 9, 1930 - Watson Renamed Miami Colonial Hotel

On April 9, 1930, the Watson Hotel at 146 Biscayne Boulevard was acquired and renamed to the Miami Colonial Hotel. This building still stands today and operates as the YVE Hotel.

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OTD: April 10, 1941 - Carl G. Fisher Memorial Dedicated

On April 10, 1941, Miami Beach citizens dedicated a memorial that commemorates the accomplishments of Carl G. Fisher. The statue features a bronze bust of Fisher, wearing his floppy hat and smiling. The inscription reads: "Carl Graham Fisher - he carved a great city out of a jungle". The memorial is located at the corner of Alton Road and Lakeview Drive.

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OTD: April 10, 1985 - Ralph Renick Leaves WTVJ

On April 10, 1985, marked the end of an era when Ralph Renick stepped down as vice president and news director of WTVJ. Within six weeks of this decision, Renick announced his candidacy for Governor of Florida. Although he spent $100,000 of his own money on the campaign, he ended his bid to become governor six months after his announced candidacy.

OTD: April 11, 1986 - Deadly FBI Shootout in South Dade

On April 11, 1986, a confrontation with two suspected bank robbers resulted in the deadliest shootout in FBI history. Two FBI agents were killed and five other agents were injured when they stopped the suspects in Kendall triggering a shootout on a residential street. Both suspects were killed in the gun battle. Many of the witnesses thought the confrontation was either the filming of an episode of Miami Vice or a battle between two rival drug cartels, which was common during this era.

OTD: April 12, 1897 - Frances Tuttle Gets Married

On April 12, 1897, Frances, daughter of Julia Tuttle, married Charles Conrad Saunders in the old Fort Dallas Barracks building next to the Tuttle residence in today's downtown Miami. The ceremony was officiated by the Reverend E.V. Blackman.

OTD: April 12, 1915 - Tree Planted by World-Renowned Poet James Whitcomb Riley

On April 12, 1915, world-renowned Indiana Poet James Whitcomb Riley planted a Ficus Benghalensis tree in a median on Lincoln Road, just west of Collins Avenue, to commemorate the completion of the road. The tree was dedicated on this day when Riley read a brief poem called "The Planting of a Tree" and the ceremony was attended by a large audience of local and national reporters, photographers, and even a News Reel’s videographer. When the tree was toppled in 1926, the city did its best to replant and save the tree. However, by 1928, the Ficus had to be replaced, and then another replanted shortly after the first replacement tree died. The second replacement tree stood in the median for another decade until it was moved in November of 1939 from Lincoln Road to the Carl G. Fisher Memorial Park on Alton Road and Lakeview Drive.

OTD: April 12, 1968 - Sunshine State Parkway Renamed to Florida Turnpike

On April 12, 1968, the Sunshine State Parkway was renamed to the Florida Turnpike.

OTD: April 13, 1896 - First Train Arrives in Miami

On April 13, 1896, the first FEC locomotive arrived at the terminus of Avenue D in downtown Miami. This represented the completion of the FEC extension to Miami and provided Henry Flagler, as well as other FEC dignitaries the opportunity to travel by train to what would become the City of Miami on July 28, 1896. The train mostly carried supplies and was followed by the first passenger train a little more than a week later.

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Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

Purchase Your Signed Copy

A modest two-story building tucked within the ever-evolving Brickell neighborhood has long sparked curiosity: what was it, and how has it endured as the area transformed into what many now call the “Manhattan of the South”? Constructed when Brickell was still primarily residential, the structure has occupied the corner of SE Tenth Street and South Miami Avenue for more than ninety years, quietly bearing witness to the neighborhood’s dramatic evolution.

Over the course of its lifetime, the building has housed a variety of tenants, though it has consistently served a few core roles within the community. During its first half-century, the structure operated as a neighborhood meat market and grocery store, with the proprietors living above the shop on the second floor, a classic “mom-and-pop” arrangement. In the past thirty years, it transitioned into a series of restaurant concepts before ultimately returning to its retail roots, most recently serving as a liquor store catering to Brickell’s growing population.

The Gillespie Building stands on land once owned by the developers of the Martina Apartments, located directly across the street. After the apartment building fell into bankruptcy in 1924, C. F. Turner of Dixie Development acquired both the apartment complex and the parcel across the street. Several years later, in 1932, a modest two-story building rose on the site, designed with retail space on the ground floor and residential units above. The property was originally addressed as 1044 South Miami Avenue.

The building’s first tenant was Martina Pressing and Cleaning, though the business lasted only a few years. In 1934, Jack Gillespie opened a neighborhood grocery store at the location, operating it until 1941. Following his tenure, the market continued under a succession of owners and names, including Ungar’s Food Market (1941–1949) and Southside Market (1950 through the early 1980s). After 1982, the historical record grows less clearly, with no mentions in local newspapers until a restaurant occupied the ground floor in 1996. At was at this time the building’s address was also changed from 1044 to 1040 South Miami Avenue.

In March 1996, the Gillespie Building welcomed Piccolo Paradiso, an Italian restaurant that opened to strong reviews. Kendall Hamersly, dining critic for the Miami Herald, praised it as “upscale Italian without primo prices.” At a time when Brickell offered few dining options compared to today, the modest establishment provided a welcome addition to the neighborhood’s limited culinary scene. Despite the favorable press, however, Piccolo Paradiso closed after just two years.

In 1998, the space was taken over by another Italian concept, Rosinella Italian Trattoria. Already established on Lincoln Road in South Beach, the owners expanded into Brickell, recognizing the area’s growing residential base and untapped potential. Over the next fifteen years, Rosinella maintained a steady presence in the building, gradually evolving from a traditional restaurant into more of a market-style operation during its tenure.

In January 2012, the Gillespie Building and the adjacent parcel to its west were sold to FX S MIA LLC (Miami Ave Holding Company) for $5 million, a significant increase from the $800,000 paid by the previous owners in 2000.

After Rosinella vacated the space in 2013, the building entered a period of transition, with several restaurant concepts coming and going with limited success. That same year, Sumi Yakitori opened, offering authentic Japanese cuisine. It was a sister concept to the successful Momi Ramen, which had opened next door earlier and remains in operation today. Despite that connection, Sumi Yakitori closed its doors in 2017.

In 2018, another Italian concept, Empanazzio, took over the space but shuttered by the time the COVID-19 pandemic forced widespread business closures in early 2020. Since 2021, A5 Liquors has operated out of the Gillespie Building. However, the site, at the prominent corner of South Miami Avenue and SW 10th Street, is now slated for redevelopment, with plans calling for an eighty-story mixed-use tower that will dramatically transform this long-standing corner of Brickell.

A recent notice announced a preliminary zoning hearing before Miami-Dade County to consider transferring oversight of a proposed development by FX South Miami LLC from the city to the county. The shift is under consideration because the property qualifies for special exceptions under the county’s Metromover Subzone of the Rapid Transit Zone (Section 33C-15). If approved, county oversight would allow the project to bypass certain municipal zoning regulations, including height limits and parking requirements.

The proposed development, currently known as the 1040 South Miami building, would occupy approximately 0.57 acres and rise to 80 stories, reaching about 945 feet. Plans call for a mixed-use tower incorporating residential, hotel, and retail components. The site, previously slated for a Virgin Hotel, lies within a block of a Metromover station, making it eligible for county jurisdiction under the transit-oriented zoning provisions.

A more detailed description of the proposed building was provided by Oscar Nunez published on the Florida Yimby website on May 6, 2026:

“The development is set to include 250 condominium units, 48 condo-hotel units, 100 hotel rooms, approximately 1,900 square feet of restaurant space, and 322 parking spaces. The total gross floor area is estimated at 1,084,278 square feet. ODP Architecture & Design is listed as the architect for the project. Prosper Group, led by Jay Roberts, and Forte Development, led by Marius Fortelni, are co-developing the project under the entity 1040 S Miami Development LLC.”

Residents of Brickell who regularly rely on the Metromover may reasonably question whether the existing system can accommodate the influx of people an 80-story tower would bring. It is hoped that Miami-Dade County will commit to significant upgrades to the area’s rapid transit infrastructure before projects under its jurisdiction begin adding new residents to the neighborhood.

On April 1, 1896, the First Presbyterian Church had its first service in a tent near the Miami River at the terminus of Avenue D in what would become downtown Miami.

OTD: April 1, 1931 - Simpson Park Dedicated

On April 1, 1931, Jungle Park on South Miami Avenue in the Brickell neighborhood was renamed and dedicated to Simpson Park in honor of naturalist and conservationist Charles Torrey Simpson.

OTD: April 1, 1933 - Art Deco Texaco Opens on Biscayne Boulevard

On April 1, 1933, the Texaco station opened on the corner of Biscayne Boulevard and N.E. Sixth Street in downtown Miami. The station featured a Spanish style of architecture and was a mainstay on what was once referred to as "Gasoline Alley" on Biscayne Boulevard during the middle decades of the Twentieth Century.

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OTD: April 1, 1940 - Remembering Miami Pioneer Everest G. Sewell

On April 1, 1940, Miami was stunned by the news that the city's mayor, pioneer Everest Sewell, had suffered a heart attack. He would die at Jackson Memorial Hospital on April 2nd. Everest was the brother of John Sewell, early pioneer merchant and three-time Mayor of Miami: 1927 - 29, 1933 - 35, and 1939 until his passing in 1940 (as part of a recall election).

OTD: April 2, 1924 - Remembering Miami Pioneer Physician Dr. James Jackson

On April 2, 1924, residents of the City of Miami mourned the passing of its pioneer physician, Dr. James Jackson who died at his residence at 1627 Brickell Avenue after battling a lengthy illness.

OTD: April 5, 1925 - Holleman Park Methodist Church Conducts First Service

On April 5, 1925, the Holleman Park Methodist Church, located at Fifteenth Road and SW Twelfth Street in the Brickell neighborhood, opened to the public and conducted its first Sunday service. The congregation would later construct a permanent chapel at 349 SW Twelfth Street in 1925.

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OTD: April 5, 1925 - Tornado Touchdown at White Belt Dairy in Lemon City

On April 5, 1925, a tornado touchdown near the intersection of NW 32nd Avenue and NW 60th Street causing more than $1 million worth of damage to the White Belt Dairy. The twister killed five people along with injuring 35 others, while destroying multiple buildings including milking stations, dormitories for workers, and office buildings.

OTD: April 5, 1993 - Florida Marlins Play First Game

On April 5, 1993, the Florida (now Miami), Marlins played their first regular season game. The Marlins beat the LA Dodgers 6 - 3 in front of a sold out ballpark at Joe Robbie Stadium.

OTD: April 6, 1927 - Remembering the James Luznar

Remembering James Luznar, the person behind "Jimbos" on Virginia Key, on the anniversary of his birthday on April 6, 1927.

OTD: April 7, 1890 - Marjory Stoneman Douglas was Born

On April 7, 1890, Marjory Stoneman Douglas was born. She was a journalist, writer, feminist and environmentalist that spent most of her adult life in Miami. She was a staunch defender of the Everglades opposing drainage in the interest of land development. One of her most popular books was entitled ‘The River of Grass’ which detailed the importance of preserving the Everglades.

OTD: April 7, 1894 - Lemon City Public Library Opened

On April 7, 1894, the Lemon City Public Library opened, which was the first library to open in Dade County. The Coconut Grove Library opened a few years later in 1901. The earliest libraries in the county were established as reading rooms by local women's clubs in their respective communities.

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OTD: April 8, 1924 - City Hospital Renamed to Honor Dr. James Jackson

On April 8, 1924, a resolution was passed to change the name of the Miami City Hospital to The James M. Jackson Memorial Hospital. Jackson arrived in Miami in April of 1896 and was the FEC's official physician. Doctor James Jackson passed away six days earlier on April 2, 1924.

OTD: April 8, 1925 - University of Miami was Founded

On April 8, 1925, the University of Miami was born when the institution was granted its charter by Judge H.F. Atkinson. The university was made possible by the very generous donation of land and money by Coral Gables founder George Merrick. In addition to a large monetary donation to facilitate the construction of a campus, Merrick donated a 160-acre site in the heart of The City Beautiful.

The charter provided for a university focused on scientific and classical courses and authorized the institution to own up to $10,000,000 worth of property. The university began classes in 1926, following the great hurricane of that year, in the Anastasia Hotel.

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Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

Purchase Your Signed Copy

On March 26, 1896, the first store on the north side of the Miami River, site of present day downtown Miami, was opened by John and E.G. Sewell. The store was a shoe and men's furnishing store. Within eight hours of the opening of John Sewell & Brother store, J.E. Lummus opened a shoe and merchandise store in a shed as the second retail establishment in what would become downtown Miami.

OTD: March 26, 1915 - Town of Miami Beach was Incorporated

On March 26, 1915, the town of Miami Beach was incorporated when 33 registered voters gathered and cast their votes in the Lummus Building on the northeast corner of Ocean Drive and Biscayne Street. Given the tremendous growth in just two years, the town would re-charter as the City of Miami Beach in 1917.

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OTD: March 26, 1942 - Remembering Coral Gables Founder George Merrick

On March 26 in 1942, George Merrick, planner and developer of Coral Gables, passed away from a heart attack at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Merrick was the visionary and developer of Coral Gables during the building boom of the 1920s.

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OTD: March 29, 1926 - The Miami Realty Board Building Celebrates Grand Opening

On March 29, 1926, the Miami Realty Board Building, at 329 NE First Avenue in downtown Miami, opened and was officially dedicated. More than 3,000 people showed up for the formal opening ceremonies and to tour the building. The building was renamed to the Postal Building in the 1930s, and then renamed again to the Pacific Building in 1945.

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OTD: March 29, 1938 - Oversea Highway Officially Opens

On March 29, 1938, the Oversea Highway, stretching 127.5 miles and carrying US 1 through the keys, opened and was officially dedicated. It was mostly built over the former right-of-way of the Oversea Railway.

Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book

Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

Purchase Your Signed Copy

The trailer park once located at 6005 NE Second Avenue in Lemon City traces its origins to the height of South Florida’s great building boom of the 1920s. The site, originally intended for a dairy farm, was repurposed by Dr. John G. Dupuis, who recognized the growing demand for affordable accommodations as waves of newcomers poured into the region.

Known at its opening as a “tourist camp,” the property operated from the mid-1920s until 2015. At its inception, it helped ease the housing shortage brought on by the boom. In later decades, the site, eventually referred to as a trailer park, continued to serve as an important housing alternative for residents on low or fixed incomes. For nearly ninety years, the Magic City Tourist Camp remained a fixture in Lemon City, later known as Little Haiti, reflecting the evolving story of Miami itself.

Origins of the Nickname ‘Magic City’

The nickname ‘Magic City’ is as old as the city it describes. Ironically, the man who gave Miami its timeless moniker had never visited Miami before he described it as magical. As the story goes, E.V. Blackman was working as a freelance writer in Daytona Beach when he was hired by Henry Flagler to write an article about a new city for a new magazine. The magazine was called “The Home Seeker” and Blackman’s article was published in one of the first issues of the magazine.

After he was hired, Flagler sent Blackman a letter with the blueprint for the city and pictures of the area to acquaint him with what he was chartered to illuminate in his report. The article was to describe the beauty and potential of Flagler’s latest stop along the east coast of Florida.

Blackman was already captivated by Flagler’s enthusiasm, but after he reviewed the blueprint and pictures, he immediately saw the possibilities for the city. He told the Miami News in 1925 the following: “In looking over the material, I got so enthusiastic over the possibilities of the city that bordered on the Gulf stream and faced the broad waters of Biscayne Bay, that I referred to it as the ‘Magic City’.” Blackman included the description in his article.

After completing the article for The Home Seeker, he sent a copy to the Jacksonville Times-Union as a form of early syndication. Within weeks after the article was published, other newspapers in the state were reporting on Miami’s progress and adding “The Magic City” to the name of the municipality in their news stories. It didn’t take long for the nickname to stick.

Ownership of Land by Dupuis Family

The land that would later become the tourist camp was part of a 2,000-acre tract purchased by Dr. John G. Dupuis in 1898 for use as a dairy farm. In 1925, a portion of that property was subdivided to establish the Magic City Tourist Camp, later known in official records as Magic City Park.

The boundaries of the carved out portion for the tourist camp were described as follows in the public records of Dade County.

“Beginning 25’ east and 304’6” south of northwest corner of the southwest quarter northeasterly parallel with Lemon Avenue 1266’6” to Railroad Avenue south 210’ southwesterly along Brown Street 1266’6” north to the point of beginning, of the plat of PIERCE’S SUBDIVISION OF LEMON CITY, as recorded in Plat Book B at Page 43 and Plat Book 2 at Page 21.”

The camp remained under the ownership of the Dupuis family until its sale to Magic City Properties, LLC in 2014. While the property was operated by a series of lessees over the years, ownership of the land itself stayed within the family for nearly nine decades.

Following the death of Dr. John G. Dupuis on September 17, 1952, control of the property passed to his wife, Katherine E. Dupuis. On August 1, 1959, the land was placed into the Katherine E. Dupuis Trust. After Katherine’s death on August 20, 1975, trusteeship transferred first to John G. Dupuis Jr., and, after his passing in 1980, to Susan Dupuis. It was ultimately this family trust that finalized the sale of the property to Magic City Properties, LLC.

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