Week in History: July 9 - 16
Events that occurred during the week of July 9th through the 16th in South Florida's history.
OTD: July 9, 1912 - First Plat Filed on Miami Beach
On July 9, 1912, the Lummus brothers filed the first plat to develop land on Miami Beach. The brothers founded the Ocean Beach Realty Company which was the entity that filed that first plat on the future Miami Beach. The Town of Miami beach was incorporated on March 26, 1915, and James N. Lummus was elected the town’s first mayor (1915 - 1918). Two years later, on May 1, 1917, the town reincorporated as the City of Miami Beach.
OTD: July 10, 1896 - Call for Assembly to Incorporate Miami
On July 10, 1896, the Miami Metropolis published a notice on page two of their weekly edition to call all eligible parties to an assembly scheduled for July 28 to select officers and organize a municipal government. This was the beginning of the process to incorporate of the City of Miami. The notice informed readers that the vote would take place at "the room over the 'The Lobby' which is situated on Avenue D.
OTD: July 10, 1896 - Miami Metropolis Reports Change of Management for Hotel Miami
On July 10, 1896, it was reported in the Miami Metropolis that 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 house leased from William Brickell.
OTD: July 10, 1972 - Democratic National Convention Began on Miami Beach
On July 10, 1972, the Democratic National Convention began at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Miami Beach. The convention took place over four days where George McGovern became the nominee for the party.
OTD: July 11, 1979 - Shooting at the Dadeland Mall
On July 11, 1979, a mid-day shooting at Crown Liquors in the Dadeland Mall between Colombian drug traffickers sent shockwaves throughout the nation. This event has been largely remembered as the beginning of the Cocaine Cowboy era in Miami, a time period that was dubbed ‘Paradise Lost’ on the cover of Time Magazine a couple years after this incident.
OTD: July 11, 1991 - Remembering WTVJ Legend Ralph Renick
Remembering television pioneer Ralph Renick on the anniversary of his death. Renick was the face of WTVJ from 1949 until he left the station in 1985.
OTD: July 12, 1921 - City of Miami Held a Special Election to Re-charter
On July 12, 1921, the City of Miami held a special election following the ratification of a new city charter which was organized to be governed by a mayor with limited powers and five commissioners. The results of the polling led to Miami's first city commission which was known as the 'bankers commission' given that all five commissioners were banking executives in addition to their role as city commissioner. Prior to this vote, the City of Miami was governed by a city council, consisting of 13 councilmen and a strong mayor, from 1896 until 1921.
OTD: July 13, 1927 - Illegal Contraband Seized
On July 13, 1927, a Miami Daily News headline reported that a combination of federal, city, and county law enforcement officials disposed of $250,000 of seized alcohol that had been stored by prohibition agents in and around Miami.