Week in History: November 9 - 16
Events that occurred during the week of November 9th through the 16th in South Florida's history.
OTD: November 9, 1947 - Causeway & Park Dedicated
On November 9, 1947, the Rickenbacker Causeway and Crandon Park were dedicated.
OTD: November 11, 1918 - Armistice Day
After negotiations between the Allies of World War I and Germany, a cease fire was ordered to take place on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 (November 11, 1918). The cease fire, or armistice, was initially set to expire after thirty-six days, but it was extended long enough until a formal treaty could be reached the following year. This remembrance day is now celebrated as Veterans Day in the United States.
OTD: November 12, 1899 - Hotel Miami Burns Down
On November 12, 1899, Hotel Miami burned to the ground, along with several other businesses including the Miami Metropolis. This was the second major fire in Miami's brief history. Hotel Miami was only opened for a little more than two years before the fire. Read more about the hotel that was constructed by the Tuttle family in 1896.
OTD: November 12, 1920 - James Ingraham Gives Speech at Miami Woman’s Club
On November 12, 1920, Miami pioneer James Ingraham, president of the Model Land Company, gave a talk to the Miami Woman's Club in their clubhouse on Flagler Street where he articulated his recollection of Miami's origin story.
OTD: November 13, 1997 - Dade Officially Renamed to Miami-Dade County
On November 13, 1997, Dade County was officially renamed to Miami-Dade County by a ballot measure approved by the county voters. This was done in order to convey an association of the county name with the more recognizable City of Miami.
OTD: November 14, 1942 - Eddie Rickenbacker Rescued in South Pacific
On November 14, 1942, Eddie Rickenbacker, who was lost over the South Pacific for 24 days after his plane crashed during a mission, was rescued.
OTD: November 14, 1913 - Senator George Smathers was Born
On November 14, 1913, George A. Smathers was born. He was a 1932 graduate of Miami High and represented the State of Florida for eighteen years, from 1951 to 1969, in the US Senate. Senator Smathers was a very close ally and friend to President John F. Kennedy.
OTD: November 14, 1922 - New First National Bank Building is Dedicated
On November 14, 1922, First National Bank opened for business in their new 10-story bank building at the corner of NE First Avenue and Flagler Street. The building still stands in downtown Miami as the First Flagler Condominiums.
OTD: November 15, 1928 - Remembering Miami’s First Mayor
On November 15, 1928, John B. Reilly, the first mayor of Miami died at the age of 58 from complications of liver failure. Reilly served the first four one-year terms as mayor from 1896 until 1900.
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 never realized George Smathers was that much younger than brother, Frank!
I was good friends with Frank when he had the house across from the Montgomery Foundation in the corner of Red Road and Old Cutler. George had a unique way of word phrasing, practically a whole language to itself full of double meanings. I have a great photo of my Aunt with her high school class on the US capitol steps, with George sitting by them.