Week in History: October 1 - 8

Events that occurred during the week of October 1st through the 8th in South Florida's history.

OTD: October 1, 1938 - John S. Knight Acquires Miami Herald

Frank B. Shutts (left) and John S. Knight (right) signing the agreement for the sale of the Miami Herald in October of 1938. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.

Frank B Shutts and James . Knight closing on the sale of the Miami Herald in October of 1938. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.

On October 1, 1939, James L. Knight acquired the Miami Herald from Frank B. Shutts. The Miami Herald was founded by Shutts in 1910 with the merger of the Miami Evening Record, which was started by Frank Stoneman in 1903, and the Miami Morning News-Record, which started publishing in 1907.

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OTD: October 2, 1937 - Walgreens Opens in Downtown Miami

Rendering of the Walgreens on Flagler Street in 1937. Courtesy of Phillip Pessar.

On October 2, 1937, the Walgreens store at 200 East Flagler Street in downtown Miami opened for business.

Headline in the Miami Herald the day after the opening of the downtown Miami Walgreens. Courtesy of the Miami Herald.

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OTD: October 2, 1982- James L Knight Center was Dedicated

James L Knight Convention Center and Hyatt being constructed in January of 1982. Courtesy of Miami Department of Tourism.

On October 2, 1982, the $110 million James L. Knight Center was dedicated in a ceremony hosted by Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre. The convention center is located at the Miami River on the west side of SE Second Avenue.

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OTD: October 5, 1986- Remembering Restaurant Pioneer Wolfie Cohen

Postcard of Wolfies on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.

Remembering Wolfie Cohen who died on this day (October 5), in 1986 at the age of 74. Cohen was the flamboyant founder of three of South Florida's most famous eating establishments: Wolfies, The Rascal House and Pumperniks. All three eateries were fixtures in Miami Beach beginning in the 1930s.

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OTD: October 6, 1920- Miami Street Naming Scheme Approved

Intersection of Flagler Street and Miami Avenue in 1920. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.

On October 6, 1920, the Miami City Council approved the Chaille Plan to rename all the streets in the City of Miami. The plan called for the center of the new naming system to be the intersection of Miami Avenue and Flagler Street.

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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 ‘Learn More’ button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.

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