Week in History: December 1 - 7
Events that occurred during the week of December 1st through the 7th in South Florida's history.
OTD: December 1, 1902 - First National Bank of Miami Opened
On December 1, 1902, the First National Bank of Miami opened for business. First National was the second bank in the new city of Miami. The bank changed its name to SouthEast Bank in 1969 but was liquidated by the FDIC in 1991. The First National Bank building on Flagler Street is now the Flagler First Condominiums.
OTD: December 1, 1938 - Remembering Miami Pioneer John Sewell
On December 1, 1938, the City of Miami lost one of its most notable founders. John Sewell was the foreman of the FEC Railway when it was extended to Miami. Considered one of the early Miami pioneers, Sewell was also mayor of Miami from 1903 to 1907. His home, Halissee Hall, still stands near Jackson Hospital in Miami. Read more about Sewell and his famous residence by clicking on the button below.
OTD: December 2, 1919 - Dorsey Sells Island to Carl Fisher
On December 2, 1919, Dana A. Dorsey sold his ownership interest in an unnamed island near Miami Beach to the Alton Beach Realty Company, which was owned by Carl Fisher, for $40,000. The island was later named Fisher Island.
OTD: December 4, 1929 - Burdines Opens Biscayne Boulevard Store
On December 4, 1929, just a month and a half after the stock market crash, Burdines opened their second Miami store on the north end of an art deco building located on Biscayne Boulevard, between 13th and 14th streets. The Adrienne Arsht Center now resides on this property.
OTD: December 4, 1920 - Joe’s Stone Crab Opens
On December 4, 1920, Joe Weiss opened his own restaurant that he called Joe’s Restaurant. He was formerly the chef at the Sunshine Inn, but left that position because of a change in ownership of the restaurant. Joe’s Diner was later renamed to Joe’s Stone Crab.
OTD: December 4, 1920 - Miami Beach Post Office Opens
On December 4, 1920, Miami Beach's first post office was opened.
OTD: December 4, 1954 - First Burger King Franchise in Miami Opens
On December 4, 1954, James McLamore and David Edgarton opened the first Burger King franchise in Miami at 3090 NW 36th Street. The original name of the restaurant was Insta Burger King. The two men bought the parent operation in 1959 after the original owners ran into financial difficulties.
OTD: December 6, 1947 - Everglades National Park Dedicated
On December 6 in 1947, President Harry S Truman went to Everglades City, Florida, to dedicate Everglades National Park.
OTD: December 7, 1903 - Mail Service Began in Miami
On December 7, 1903, following the implementation of numbering all residences and business addresses, mail collection and delivery began in the seven year old City of Miami.
OTD: December 7, 1941 - Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7, 1941, Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii at 1:48pm EST. This act led to a declaration of war by congress and formally entered the United States in WWII.
Casey, eventful weeks. How have we managed to have some of these buildings still standing. The tower of Burdines downtown which then became Sears.. Lots of history here. —-
Judith Antinarella
Wow, that newspaper is a great revelation about the mentality of those times: "Jap," and "Woman Votes No." Glad to be living in these times.