Week in History: July 25 - 31
Events that occurred during the week of July 25th through the 31st in South Florida's history.
OTD: July 25, 1906 - Miami Street Railway Began Operations
On July 25, 1906, the Miami Street Railway began operation. Given the availability of electric power around this time, Miami's first streetcar system, initially ran east on Twelfth Street from the railroad tracks to Avenue B, then north to Sixth Street where the depot was located. Twelfth Street is today's Flagler Street, Avenue B is East Second Avenue, and Sixth Street is today's North Fifth Street. The address scheme changed as part of the Chaille Plan in 1920 - 21.
OTD: July 26, 1896 - First Baptist Church Organized
On July 26, 1896, First Baptist Church of Miami was organized just two days just two days before the City of Miami was incorporated, making it the municipality’s oldest Baptist congregation. Its first permanent chapel was constructed in 1901 at Northeast First Avenue and Northeast Fifth Street, where the church grew alongside the young city.
In 1926, the congregation completed its present four-story sanctuary, an impressive Neoclassical building designed by the architectural firm of Dougherty and Gardner. During the economic hardships of the Great Depression, First Baptist merged with Temple Baptist Church and became known as Central Baptist Church, and then, more recently, merged with Christ Fellowship in 2007.
OTD: July 26, 1925 - Miami Daily News Dedicated New Building
On July 26, 1925, the Miami Daily News dedicated and moved into their new building at NE Sixth Street and Biscayne Blvd in downtown Miami. The building was called the Miami Daily News Tower. This building was later renamed the Freedom Tower after becoming the metaphorical ‘Ellis Island’ for Cuban refugees fleeing the communist regime of the Castro government.
Read more about the Miami Daily News / Freedom Tower by clicking on the button below.
OTD: July 26, 1925 - Remembering William Jennings Bryan
On July 26, 1925, William Jennings Bryan, nicknamed the Great Commoner, died in Dayton, Tennessee. Bryan was a frequent visitor to South Florida during the early 1900s. In addition to running for President of the United States on the Democratic ticket as the populace candidate in three elections (1896, 1900, 1908), where he lost all three elections, he also served as Secretary of State during the Woodrow Wilson administration. Bryan’s Villa Serena residence still stands in the Brickell neighborhood as an homage to the Great Commoner’s time in Miami.
OTD: July 27, 1933 - Remembering Miami Pioneer E.A. Waddell
On July 27, 1933, Colonial EA Waddell, an early pioneer to Miami from Key West, passed away in New York City while seeking help for a lingering illness. Waddell died the day before Miami's 37th birthday. The Waddell Building on Miami Avenue carries the name of EA and his brother who had many business interests in early Miami.
Read more about E.A Waddell and his time in South Florida by clicking the button below.
OTD: July 28, 1896 - Happy 130th Birthday to the City of Miami
On July 28, 1896, the city of Miami was born when 368 registered voters gathered to incorporate Miami. There had to be no less than 300 registered voters in order to incorporate as a city. Any fewer, Miami would have been organized as a town. Of the 368 voters, 162 of them were black workers who helped clear the land and construct many of Miami’s early structures.
Read more about the location and proceedings that led to the incorporation of the City of Miami on July 28, 1896, by clicking on the button below.
OTD: July 28, 1985 - Miami River Cop Scandal
During the early morning of July 28, 1985, a group of corrupt City of Miami police officers raided the Mary C at the Jones Boat Yard on the Miami River and stole approximately 350 kilograms of cocaine. Three men unloading the vessel jumped into the river while fleeing and drowned. Their bodies were discovered shortly afterward, triggering a major investigation.
Four Miami officers were arrested on December 27, 1985, including three charged with first-degree murder. The investigation subsequently exposed a broader network of officers involved in stealing drugs and money, protecting traffickers, and reselling cocaine. Trials, convictions and disciplinary proceedings continued through the late 1980s.
OTD: July 29, 1956 - WSVN First Broadcast
On July 29, 1956, local Channel 7 news station WSVN started broadcasting. It was then known under the call letters WCKT. The station began operating on a man-made island alongside the 79th street causeway and shared an antenna with WIOD when it first launched.
OTD: July 30, 1936 - Burdines Purchases Hotel Biscayne
On July 30, 1936, Burdines purchased the Biscayne Hotel, which was the only thing keeping the Burdines Miami store from expanding west to Miami Avenue. It would allow the store to cover a large section of the block from Flagler Street south to SE First Street.
The Bryan Memorial Methodist Church was in the Grove on Main Hwy, across the street from the Plymouth Congregational Church.
A momentous week! Happy 130th Birthday to Miami!
With regard to E.A. Waddell, I have a fond connection with the Waddell Building. From 1970-2015, there were 2 clothing stores run by family friends - Scheiner's Children's Fashions and then Sassy Fashions, a clothing store for women. More than anyone else, they clothed me during that time period. And I had a chance to go upstairs into the storage level. :)