Week in History: July 1 - 8
Events that occurred during the week of July 1st through the 8th in South Florida's history.
OTD: July 2, 1926 - Watson Hotel Celebrates Centennial
On July 1, 1926, the Watson Hotel officially opened at 146 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. Although the inn opened as the Watson, it is best remembered as the Miami Colonial Hotel which carried the brand name from 1930 to 1989. It still stands today, with a modified facade, as the YVE Hotel.
Click on the link below to read the full history of the Watson / Miami Colonial Hotel.
OTD: July 2, 1906 - Formation of Combs Funeral Home
On July 2, 1906, Walter Combs purchased the "undertaking parlor" from W.F. Miller which led to the formation of Combs Funeral Home. The business was started by Edwin Nelson in 1896 and was not only the first funeral business in Miami, but the first undertaking service of its kind in Dade County.
OTD: July 2, 1928 - Remember Joseph P. Greaves
On July 2, 1928, Joseph P. Greaves, the prominent manager of the Royal Palm Hotel for more than 22 years, died suddenly at his home in Brooklyn, New York. Greaves was the face of the Royal Palm Hotel during his years as general manager and had established friendships with many of the prominent visitors to the hotel during his tenure. The loss of Greaves was one of several reasons the Florida East Coast company decided to shutter the Royal Palm Hotel for good prior to the winter season of 1928.
Featured Photograph - Dade County Furniture Company
OTD: July 4, 1975 - Bicentennial Park Dedicated
On July 4, 1976, Bicentennial Park was dedicated. The creation and dedication of the park was one of Miami's signature projects during the country's bicentennial celebration in 1976. The park was later renamed to honor Miami's first Hispanic mayor, Maurice Ferre, in January of 2019.
OTD: July 5, 1907 - Fort Dallas Bank Closed
On July 5, 1907, the Fort Dallas Bank was closed by a special national bank examiner made temporary receiver, Joseph K McDonald, due to inadequate cash reserves. This event led to a series of events that were referred to as the 'Panic of 1907'. The insolvency of the Fort Dallas Bank was partially caused by the cost overruns, and subsequent extension of credit by the bank for the construction of the Halcyon Hall Hotel on Twelfth (later renamed Flagler), Street.
OTD: July 5, 1896 - Salem Graham Takes Over Hotel Miami
On July 5, 1896, Salem Graham became the proprietor of the Hotel Miami, taking over title and development from the Tuttle family. Salem Graham opened the first land based hostelry in 1896 in a building leased from William Brickell on the south side of the Miami River but soon realized that there was a greater need for hotel accommodations on the opposite side of the river.
It was Julia Tuttle’s hope that she would open the first land-based hotel on the north side of the river. However, the costs and time to construct the inn exceeded her means and patience. Graham completed the construction of Hotel Miami and opened it on January 22, 1897, six days following the grand opening of Henry Flagler’s Royal Palm Hotel.
OTD: July 8, 1988 - Miami Arena is Dedicated
On July 8, 1988, the Miami Arena, located in the Overtown neighborhood of downtown Miami, celebrated its official opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The next day, on Saturday, July 9th, the Miami Heat hosted an open house and provided tours of the stadium in anticipation for their inaugural season.
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.
I miss the Miami Arena. My FIU graduation ceremony took place there.