Week in History: January 5 - 11
Events that occurred during the week of January 5th through the 11th in South Florida's history.
OTD: January 5, 1942 - Remembering Miami pioneer Walter Combs
Remembering Miami pioneer businessman and funeral directory Walter Combs on the anniversary of his passing. On January 5, 1942, Miami pioneer Walter Combs Sr. passed away in his home at 348 NE 20th Terrace at the age of 65. Combs owned and operated the city's oldest funeral home beginning in 1906. He purchased the funeral service from Edwin Nelson who began offering memorial services beginning in 1896. Click on the link below to read more about Walter and his pioneer funeral business.
OTD: January 6, 1873 - Post Office at Cocoanut Grove
On January 6, 1873, Dr. Horace Porter applied for and was granted a post office at Coconut Grove. At the time, the name of the post office and the reference to the area was spelled as Cocoanut Grove. At the urging of Dr. David Fairchild, the spelling was changed when the Town of Coconut Grove was established as a municipality in 1919.
OTD: January 7, 1922 - Electric Trolley Reinstituted
On January 7, 1922, the electric trolley service was reinstituted. The trolley provided service to Miami, Coral Gables and Miami Beach. It lasted until 1940, when it was shut down for good.
OTD: January 7, 1969 - New Florida State Constitution
On January 7, 1969, Florida's new state constitution, ratified on November 5, 1968, became law. Among other things, the new constitution remedied the provisions in the 1885 state constitution that required segregation of black and white students in schools, and outlawed interracial marriage.
OTD: January 10, 1870 - Formation of Standard Oil
On January 10, 1870, John D. Rockefeller and Henry Flagler formed Standard Oil Company. With the wealth built from his ownership interest in Standard Oil, Henry Flagler helped develop the east coast of Florida by extending his railway and developing cities from Saint Augustine to Miami. He is considered the ‘Father of Miami’ for his role in the founding of the Magic City.
OTD: January 10, 1871 - William Brickell Party Arrives to the Banks of the Miami River
On January 10, 1871, William Brickell, Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Sturtevant (Julia Tuttle's parents), and several others arrived at property along the Miami River that Brickell purchased from Harriet English. The crew constructed several structures on the south side of the river including the Brickell Trading Post and the Brickell family residence.
OTD: January 10, 1861 - Florida Seceded from the American Union
On January 10, 1861, Florida formally seceded from the American Union forming the independent "nation of Florida". Less than a month later, Florida would join as one of the founding members of the Confederate States.
OTD: January 10, 1926 - Prins Valdemar Capsized in Biscayne Bay
On January 10, 1926, the Prins Valdemar capsized at the mouth of the turning basin in the Miami Harbor. Given the impact to shipment of goods and materials into Miami, this event is considered the beginning of the end of the real estate boom of the 1920s.
OTD: January 11, 1931 - Autogiro Flight over Bayfront Park
On January 11, 1931, James G. Ray, the vice president of the Pitcairn Aircraft Company, flew an exhibition of his company's autogiro from Bayfront Park, around Miami's downtown skyline, and then landed back on Bayfront Park.
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.