This guided historical walking tour begins at the Dade Heritage Trust headquarters at 190 SE Twelfth Terrace, originally the surgical office of Miami pioneer physician Dr. James Jackson. Relocated from downtown Miami to Brickell in 1916, this historic building offers a fitting starting point for our journey into the neighborhood’s past.
As we make our way north toward the Miami River, discover the story of the Brickell family, who settled along the river in 1871 and eventually owned and sold much of the land that became their namesake neighborhood. Learn about the family’s influence on Miami’s early development and the two apartment buildings constructed by the Brickell’s’ eldest sons near the eastern terminus of the historic Tamiami Trail.
Our journey continues to the Miami Circle at Brickell Point, where we will explore the legacy of the Tequesta, the Indigenous people who inhabited the mouth of the Miami River centuries before the arrival of European settlers. We will also visit the Brickell family mausoleum in Brickell Park, the historic First Presbyterian Church, and sites that illustrate the neighborhood’s remarkable transformation from an exclusive residential enclave into a bustling district of soaring condominium towers, office buildings, and luxury hotels.
Although much of old Brickell has disappeared beneath the modern skyline, it’s fascinating stories remain an essential part of Miami’s history. From ancient Indigenous settlements and nineteenth-century pioneers to twentieth-century development and today’s glittering high-rises, Brickell’s evolution reflects the extraordinary growth of the Magic City itself.
Join us for a leisurely Saturday morning stroll through one of Miami’s most historically significant neighborhoods. Discover the people, places, and events that shaped Brickell long before it earned its modern reputation as the “Manhattan of the South.”
Click on the Buy Ticket(s) button to ensure your spot for this tour. This likely will be the last tour that will begin in the Dade Heritage offices as this building will be moved to Coconut Grove soon!