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 2, 1885 - Congresswoman and Ambassador Ruth Bryan Owen was Born

Portrait of Congresswoman Ruth Bryan Owen in 1930. Courtesy of Nebraska State Historical Society.

On October 2, 1885, Florida’s first female representative in Congress and Miami resident, Ruth Bryan Owen, daughter of William Jennings Bryan, was born in Illinois. Mrs. Owen served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1929 until 1933. In 1933 she became American’s first female envoy, serving as ambassador to Denmark until 1936. After WWII Owen worked as a delegate to the San Francisco Conference which resulted in the creation of the United Nations Charter. Owen was also an original officer of the first board of regents for the University of Miami.

Eleanor Roosevelt and Ruth Bryan Owen in 1934.

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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.