Week in History: May 01 - 08
Events that occurred during the week of May 1st through May 8th in South Florida's history.
OTD: May 1, 1917 - Miami Beach Re-Charters as a City
After incorporating as a town in 1915, Miami Beach grew rapidly and decided to reincorporate as a city just two years later. On May 1, 1917, the town of Miami Beach filed to re-incorporate as the City of Miami Beach. This process required the Florida State Legislature to approve the change of status, which was finalized prior to the end of the month of May.
OTD: May 1, 1918 - D.A. Dorsey Buys Terminal Island
On May 1, 1918, Dana A. Dorsey purchased what would later become Fisher Island from Herman B. Walker for $25,000. Dorsey's plan was to build a resort for African Americans on the island, but the plan never materialized and the island was sold to Carl Fisher in 1919, who in turn, traded the island in 1925 for a yacht owned by William K. Vanderbilt II.
OTD: May 1, 1987 - Aquila Sculpture Dedicated
On May 1, 1987, the largest bronze sculpture in North America, located behind the Bank of America tower at 701 Brickell Avenue and designed by sculptor John Raimondi, was dedicated.
OTD: May 2, 1927 - Ingraham Building Opened
On Monday, May 2, 1927, the Ingraham Building, at 25 SE Second Avenue in downtown Miami, celebrated its formal opening.
OTD: May 6, 1919 - Lot Purchased for Hotel Martinique
On May 6, 1919, CJ Martin acquired a lot in downtown Miami for $16,000 to construct Hotel Martinique at 226 NE First Street.
OTD: May 8, 1930 - Capone Arrested in Route to the Olympia Theater
On May 8, 1930, Al Capone and his entourage were stopped and arrested in route from his Palm Island home to the Olympia Theater to watch the movie "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu".
That photo of The Royal Palm from the window of the Ingraham Building shows how much those palm trees were still recovering from The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926.