Week in History: November 25 - 30
Events that occurred during the week of November 25th through the 30th in South Florida's history.
OTD: November 25, 1902 - Architect Morris Lapidus was Born
On November 25, 1902, famed architect Morris Lapidus was born in Odessa, Ukraine. He is best remembered for his designs of the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc Hotels, but was responsible for designing many other iconic Miami Modern (MIMO), structures in South Florida from the late 1940s until his retirement in the 1980s.
OTD: November 27, 1921 - George Merrick Sold First Lot in Coral Gables
On November 27, 1921, George E. Merrick sold the first lot in what would become Coral Gables.
OTD: November 28, 1938 - Remodeled Burdines Debuted in Downtown Miami
On November 28, 1938, Burdines newly remodeled Miami downtown store was opened to the public. It included new departments, gift wrapping service, and the Burdines tearoom, which featured the Men's Grill within the club.
OTD: November 29, 1930 - WQAM Takes Over Top Floor of Realty Board Building
On November 29, 1930, WQAM took over the top floor of the Miami Realty Board Building and began their first broadcast to thousands of listeners in the Greater Miami area from their brand new studio.
OTD: November 30, 1925 - Remembering Miami Pioneer Photographer John Chamberlain
Remembering Miami pioneer photographer John Chamberlain on the anniversary (November 30), of his passing in 1925. Chamberlain took some of the most iconic early photographs around Miami during its incorporation year of 1896 and beyond. He was known as the 'Postcard King' for creating many of the early postcards of South Florida during his time in the Magic City.
OTD: November 30, 1943 - Former Royal Palm Hotel Site Purchased
On November 30, 1943, Edward Claughton purchased the former Royal Palm Hotel site from the Florida East Coast Hotels Company, the former hotel operator for the Flagler interests, for over two million dollars. Claughton had a $7.5 million redevelopment plan for this large downtown plot of land, but ultimately, most of the parcel was converted to and remained surface parking until the 2000s.
So many memories in Burdines. My Mom worked there.
When I stayed at the Robert Clay Hotel in 1960 and 1961, waiting on the elevator I would look out the window at the bay. That was on the site of Fort Dallas, and I read that Julia Tuttle had required that the Royal Palm be built so she could see the bay from Fort Dallas. I guess that is why I got to look at the bay from there.