Miami History

06/22/2026

The latest Miami History Podcast explores the history and lasting impact of the Interstate Highway System on South Florida.

From the opening of the Dixie Highway in 1915 to the construction of the North-South Expressway, today's I-95, the episode examines how highways transformed transportation, fueled economic growth, and reshaped the region's landscape.

The story also highlights the human cost of progress. Learn how the construction of I-95 dramatically altered Miami's urban fabric and displaced large portions of Overtown, one of the city's most historic Black communities.

Listen to this episode on your favorite podcast platform or access it directly through the Miami History Substack page linked with this post.

This podcast episode explores the history and impact of the interstate highway system on Miami which was constructed beginning the in the late 1950s.

06/21/2026

On June 21, 1916, the Florida Internal Improvement Fund (IIF), accepted the bid of Margaret Burlingame to purchase what became Burlingame Island.

Mary Brickell filed a law suit in July 1916 to block the sale of the land mass. Ultimately, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of the legality of the transaction leaving the island in the possession of the Burlingame family.

The first photo is an aerial view of the spoil island in 1916, courtesy of Florida State Archives. The second is of a headline story in December 1922 in the Miami Daily Metropolis when the Burlingames proposed enlarging the island.

The Claughton family purchased the land mass in November 1943 leading to the 44-acre isle being renamed for the family in 1966. The third photo is of the island in 1940, a few years before it was purchased by Ed Claughton, Sr.

The island is known today as Brickell Key on Claughton Island. The last photo is of the beginning of development of the isle in 1982. The first building constructed was Brickell Key One, which is seen in the last photograph. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.

Go to the comments for an article that shares a more detailed history of Brickell Key on Claughton Island.

06/21/2026

On June 21, 1910, the Miami City Council met in the newly dedicated first city hall building.

The structure was constructed on the southeast corner of Twelfth Street and Avenue E, which is today's Flagler Street and NW First Avenue, across from the Dade County Courthouse.

The building later became the police station when city hall moved into the new Dade County Courthouse in 1928.

Attached is a photograph of the city hall building in June 1923. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.

06/21/2026

On June 20, 2013, the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in game 7 to win their third NBA Championship.

The series may best be remembered for Ray Allen's three-point shot with 6.7 seconds to play which forced overtime in game 6.

The Heat won that game 103 - 100 to force a game 7, which was won on this day in 2013. Lebron James earned his second finals MVP.

06/20/2026

On June 20, 2006, the Miami Heat beat the Dallas Mavericks in game 6 to win their first NBA Championship.

After losing the first two games in Dallas, the Miami Heat were down by 13-points with slightly more than 6 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of game 3, Dwayne Wade took the team on his shoulders and led the Heat to victory. He ended the game with 42-points and 13 rebounds.

After this improbable comeback, the Heat went on to win the next three games, culminating with the victory on the road in game 6 to clinch the championship.

Dwayne Wade finished averaging 34.7 points in the series and was named the finals MVP.

06/20/2026

On June 17, 1917, Dade County Sheriff D.W. Moran shut down the red light district known as Hardieville, which was located in a segregated area in the northwest section of Overtown.

Read more about Hardieville in the article on South Florida’s original and infamous North Miami. Click on the link to read the article.

Once referred to as the red-light district, the northern suburb of Miami incorporated as the City of North Miami in 1912. It was a short lived municipality that was annexed into Miami in June 1913.

06/19/2026

Who remembers the Miami Serpentarium at 12651 South Dixie Highway?

Founded in 1947 by Bill Haast, the Serpentarium served as both a popular tourist attraction and a research facility. Haast believed that snake venom could be harnessed for medical breakthroughs and devoted his life to studying its potential benefits.

The attraction operated for nearly four decades before closing its South Dixie Highway location in 1984.

Following its closure, South Miami High School, whose mascot was the Cobras, acquired the giant cobra statue that once stood prominently at the entrance and relocated it to the school’s campus.

The iconic landmark remained there until it was toppled and destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Perhaps a testament to his extraordinary exposure to snake venom over the course of his career, Bill Haast lived to the remarkable age of 100. He passed away in 2011, leaving behind a lifetime of remarkable insights for future snake handlers and venom researchers.

06/18/2026

If you have not gotten the opportunity to listen to the recently published Miami History podcast episode, Dr. Paul S. George and myself discuss the life and legacy of Miami founding pioneers Isidor and Ida Cohen.

Click on the link below to listen to this episode.

Podcast episode featuring the story and impact of Miami founding pioneers Isidor and Ida Cohen.

06/18/2026

On June 18, 1947, the official groundbreaking for an expansion of the Orange Bowl took place.

The groundbreaking ceremonies, which began at 11am, were officiated by Miami Mayor Perrine Palmer and featured Hollywood actress Esther Williams.

This renovation expanded the seating capacity of the stadium by 24,548 seats by adding a second level of seats to the stadium.

Attached is the front page of the sports section of the Miami Daily News on that date in 1947.

06/17/2026

Digitally enhanced and colorized photographs of the residence of Dr. John Turner at 1449 Brickell Avenue. Photos of the residence were taken in the 1940s.

The second and fourth photographs depict the same location shown in the preceding image as it appears in 2026. The site was redeveloped in 2017 with the construction of the Echo Brickell condominium tower at 1451 Brickell Avenue.

Dr. Turner purchased the residence in 1940, and it remained the family home until the mid-to-late 1960s. Afterward, the property was sold and later adapted for commercial use as the offices of the Reiff-Fellman Architectural Firm.

The residence was razed in the 1980s. Photos courtesy of Laura Hemphill, granddaughter of Dr. Turner, and Casey M. Piket.