Week in History: October 9 - 16
Events that occurred during the week of October 9th through the 16th in South Florida's history.
OTD: October 11, 1887 - Barefoot Mailman Missing
On October 11, 1887, the clothing and mail pouch of James Hamilton was found on on his mail route without any trace of his body. James was the barefoot mailman that delivered mail on a 66 mile route from Palm Beach to Miami Beach. One theory is that Hamilton shed his clothes and mail pouch to swim to the other side of a river to retrieve his boat when he disappeared.
OTD: October 11, 1920 - Ida M. Fisher School Opens on Miami Beach
On October 11, 1920, the Ida M. Fisher School opened its doors for the first time. In 1926, it became Miami Beach Senior High School. The school was named in honor of Carl Fisher's mother.
OTD: October 12, 1905 - John E. Lummus Awarded Contract for FEC Commissaries
On October 12, 1905, John E. Lummus buys the right to operate the Florida East Coast commissaries (equipment and provisions), for the construction of the Oversea Railway. The project required that 4,000 men be fed and clothed for what was estimated to be a four year duration. The Oversea Railway was completed on January 22, 1912, nearly seven years after Lummus was awarded the contract.
OTD: October 12, 1988 - Arrest of Bank Officers in Brickell for Money Laundering
On October 12, 1988, two bank officers from the Miami branch of the Luxembourg-based Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), at 1200 Brickell Avenue, were arrested as part of a money laundering sting by Federal agents.
OTD: October 13, 1988 - Demolition of Senator Hotel on Miami Beach
On October 13, 1988, The Senator Hotel on Miami Beach was razed to make room for a surface parking lot. The fate of The Senator was hotly contested by preservationists, but ultimately was decided by a wrecking ball on this date.
OTD: October 14, 1962 - Cuban Missile Crisis Began
On October 14, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis began as a conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba.
OTD: October 15, 1926 - University of Miami Opened for Registration
On October 15, 1926, the University of Miami opened for registration for the first time. Registration took place at George Merrick's half-completed Anastasia Hotel on University Drive, about a half mile away from the campus.
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.