Week in History: February 01 - 07
Events that occurred during the week of February 1st through the 7th in South Florida's history.
OTD: February 1, 1911 - Remembering Miami Merchant Pioneer William M. Burdine
On February 1, 1911, William M Burdine passed away. He was the founder of W.M. Burdine & Son dry goods store. The store would best be remembered in Miami as Burdines Department Store before it was renamed to Macys.
Webinar on February 17, 2026: Churchill Visit to South Florida in 1946
As a benefit for paid subscribers, the Miami History Substack will begin offering Free webinars bi-monthly on a variety of different South Florida history topics. The first one will share the details of Winston Churchill’s six week holiday in South Florida in 1946 including stories, old photos, and videos of his visit.
If you are a free subscriber and would like to attend, simply upgrade to a paid subscription for $5 per month and you will get access to the registration information. If you are unable to join on Tuesday, February 17, the webinar will be recorded and shared with all paid subscribers. Click on the button below for more details.
OTD: February 3, 1921 - Jungle Inn on Miami Beach Raided
On February 3, 1921, the famous Jungle Inn was raided by a newly elected sheriff. The Jungle Inn was the first "speakeasy" and gambling joint on Miami Beach in the 1920s.
OTD: February 3, 1929 - Saint Patrick’s Church Dedicated
On February 3, 1929, Saint Patrick's Church was dedicated. The land for the church was an assemblage of a combination of six lots donated by Carl Fisher, and another six lots that were purchased from Fisher.
OTD: February 4, 1926 - Cornerstone Ceremony for University of Miami
On February 4, 1926, George Merrick spoke at the cornerstone laying of the University of Miami. There was a copper box that was embedded in the cornerstone that included the following items: the university charter, a copy of the contract between Merrick and the university, a current newspaper, copies of the architectural plans and pictures of George Merrick and his father. George dedicated the first building at the university to his deceased father.
OTD: February 5, 1926 - The Town of Miami Shores Incorporates
On February 5, 1926, a meeting was held where thirty-eight votes were cast to incorporate Miami Shores as a town. The voters elected D.F. Baker, a resident of the Biscayne Park subdivision, as the first mayor. Due to confusion with the Miami subdivision named Miami Shores, which was developed by the Shoreland Company in the mid-1920s, the Florida legislature got involved and passed an act to rename the municipality to the Town of North Miami in 1931. In 1952, the town voted to re-charter as the City of North Miami.
OTD: February 6, 1896 - Isidor Cohen Arrives in Miami
On February 6, 1896, Isidor Cohen, Miami's first permanent Jewish settler, arrived on the shores of Biscayne Bay in Miami. Isidor became a prominent pioneer merchant in early Miami, and provided an historical account of the pioneer days of early Miami in his book "Early Sketches and Sidelights of Miami, Florida", which was published in 1925.
OTD: February 7, 1895 - Florida Experienced Second Major Freeze During 1894 / 1895 Winter
On February 7, 1895, The State of Florida experienced a second freeze that winter which wiped out the citrus crops everywhere north of Fort Lauderdale.
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 ‘Learn More’ button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.
With the current cold weather, approaching the anniversary of another freeze that transformed the state in many ways.