Shows
Miami History PodcastBiltmore Hotel in Coral Gables This episode explores the remarkable story of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, one of the crown jewels of George Merrick's visionary City Beautiful. Developed through a partnership between Merrick and John McEntee Bowman of the Biltmore Corporation, the hotel opened as a symbol of Mediterranean Revival grandeur, designed to draw visitors from around the world and define South Florida luxury in the 1920s. The Biltmore Hotel's story is one of resilience. The institution was challenged by its inland location, and although it opened on January 15, 1926, during the peak of the building boom, it experienced economic...
2026-01-1526 min
Miami History PodcastCape Florida Lighthouse This podcast episode tells the story of an enduring South Florida landmark. On December 17, 2025, the Cape Florida Lighthouse marked its 200th anniversary, standing today as the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County still in its original location. Built on Key Biscayne, the lighthouse was designed to guide ships safely past the treacherous Great Florida Reef. Over two centuries, it survived a battle during the Second Seminole War, sabotage in the Civil War, periods of abandonment and restoration, and the destructive force of Hurricane Andrew. Thanks to the dedication of Miami News editor Bill Baggs and the advocacy of...
2026-01-1328 min
Miami History PodcastMiami's Edgewater Neighborhood This podcast episode features the story of development of the Edgewater neighborhood in Miami, Florida. What was part of an area referred to as 'North Miami', best known as Miami's first saloon and red-light district, Edgewater evolved out of the city's first suburbs that were developed after the saloon district was cleared out in 1908. When a Miami attorney turned developer began creating residential communities north of the city, one of those suburbs was called 'Edgewater' given its proximity to Biscayne Bay. After the annexation of North Miami in 1913, the neighborhood reference for the former northern suburbs was...
2026-01-0223 min
Miami History PodcastHistoryMiami Museum This podcast episode explores the origins of the HistoryMiami Museum. Established in 1940 by George Merrick and several of Miami's early pioneers as the Historical Association of Southern Florida, the institution initially operated without a permanent home and relied on conducting talks and events at different locations around the Greater Miami area. Conceived as a collection-based museum, some of its earliest acquisitions were the personal recollections of the city's founding residents. Many of these stories were published in Tequesta magazine, authored by Merrick, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and other notable Miami figures. The museum reached an important milestone with...
2025-11-1329 min
Miami History PodcastMiami Pioneer Architect August Geiger This podcast episode explores the life and legacy of Miami pioneer architect August Geiger. Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Geiger first visited Miami with his family in 1899, when the city was just three years old. Captivated by the area's potential, he returned in 1905 to begin his architectural career under the mentorship of fellow pioneer Walter DeGarmo. Geiger went on to design some of Miami's most iconic landmarks, including the Dade County Courthouse, the original city hospital known as the Alamo, the Miami Beach Municipal Golf Course clubhouse, the Miami Woman's Club, and the First Church...
2025-10-1325 min
Miami History PodcastTheme Villages of Coral Gables This podcast episode explores the story of Coral Gables' theme villages, conceived at the height of the 1920s building boom. In the spring of 1925, George Merrick hired the American Building Corporation to construct 1,000 residences over ten years. The plan called for as many as 16 theme villages, each reflecting different cultural and architectural traditions. Led by Myers Cooper of the American Building Corporation, the project got off to a strong start. Construction moved ahead of schedule, and several villages were already underway within the first year. But the South Florida land boom collapsed in the fall of 1926, bringing...
2025-09-2228 min
Miami History PodcastCity of Hialeah CentennialThis podcast episode features the history of the City of Hialeah during its centennial. What was once swamp land became a thriving municipality during the boom years of the 1920s. Owned and then developed by a Missouri cattleman and an aviation pioneer, Hialeah quickly developed when James Bright and Glenn Curtiss established an area they named 'Hialeah' which was a native American term for high prairie. The two men began platting subdivisions for residential housing, as well as infrastructure and establishments of entertainment to attract buyers to the western suburbs of South Florida. A dog and horse...
2025-09-1022 min
Miami History PodcastArchitect Lawrence Murray Dixon This podcast episode features South Florida architect Lawrence Murray Dixon. Born in Live Oak, Florida, in 1901, and a graduate of Georgia School of Technology, aka Georgia Tech, in 1919, Dixon established his reputation in South Florida as one of the most prominent architects during the 1920s through 1940s. He was hired by Schultze and Weaver's New York office after he graduated from college but eventually moved to Miami in the mid-1920s. By the late 1920s, Dixon changed firms and went to work for Paist and Steward where he was the associate architect for the Federal Court House...
2025-09-0322 min
Miami History PodcastVillage of Key Biscayne This podcast episode features the story of the Village of Key Biscayne. What was once an important island for the Tequesta tribe more than 2000 years ago, Key Biscayne has become an important island in the Greater Miami area. It hosts Crandon Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, as well as years of rich history. The village was once the home of South Florida's Crandon Park Zoo. Ownership of the island held various stakeholders beginning with the first land grants by the King of Spain in 1760, to the Davis family from 1821 – 1885, to Field and Osborne for a co...
2025-07-1536 min
Miami History PodcastSouth Florida Centennials This podcast episode features South Florida institutions and places that are celebrating their 100th birthday over the course of the next year (2025 -26). The great building boom of the 1920s peaked 100 years ago in 1925, and many of Dade County's prominent cities were founded during this time. Coral Gables, Miami Springs, Opa-locka, and Hialeah are several of these municipalities that are celebrating their centennial. One of Miami's most prominent education institutions, University of Miami, was founded in 1925. The Venetian Pool, Biltmore, Miami News / Freedom Tower, as well as many other building boom edifices that are still standing will...
2025-07-1028 min
Miami History PodcastMiami-Dade College Wolfson Campus This podcast episode tells the story of the Wolfson Campus at Miami Dade College. Originally established as Dade Junior College in 1960, the institution held classes wherever space was available including a local high school and other borrowed buildings. A decade later, the college began planning for its first permanent facility in downtown Miami. The site for this new building was made possible by Mitchell Wolfson, the campus's namesake, who donated a block of land that once housed aging apartment buildings, the former Realty Board building, and the White Temple Church. With funding primarily secured through loans from...
2025-05-0934 min
Miami History PodcastThe Deering Family in South Florida This podcast episode shares the story of the Deering family's impact on South Florida during the first half of the Twentieth Century. The family first arrived in South Florida in 1900 when the patriarch, William Deering, purchased a home in Coconut Grove. His sons, Charles and James, would follow him to the region and each of the Deerings would make a tremendous impact and contribute to the community. James Deering purchased property in the Brickell neighborhood from Mary Brickell in 1912 and built his Vizcaya Estate. Charles Deering acquired land in today's Buena Vista and South Dade, where he...
2025-03-1630 min
Miami History PodcastMiami Aviation Pioneer Eddie Rickenbacker This podcast episode features the life and legend of aviator Eddie Rickenbacker, nicknamed the 'Aces of Aces', based on his heroics while leading the 94th Squadron during World War I. Even as a young man, Eddie had a strong sense of adventure and even was a relief driver in the first ever Indianapolis 500, which took place in 1911. A car man, pilot, entrepreneur and born leader are just some of the terms that best describe Eddie Rickenbacker. He went out to found a car company, that was acquired by General Motors, an airline, which later merged with Pitcairn...
2025-02-1032 min
Miami History PodcastSouth Florida Aviation History This podcast episode shares Miami's history of being an aviation hub in America. What was deemed as an ideal location for flight exhibitions and training due to the region's ideal climate and flat surface, Miami became an early test ground for aviation. The city celebrated its 15th birthday with a bi-plane show piloted by stunt pilot Howard Gill. The following decades of flight history were influenced by aviation pioneers Glenn Curtis, Juan Trippe, and Eddie Rickenbacker, just to name a few. Based in South Florida, Pan American Airlines, founded by Trippe, and Eastern Airlines, headed by Rickenbacker...
2025-01-0830 min
Miami History PodcastSouth Florida During World War I This podcast episode features the story of South Florida during World War I. The story begins just prior to the United States entry into World War I on April 6, 1919, and shares how South Florida and Miami were transformed as a training center during the war. South Florida began its journey as an aviation training ground preparing flyers for the war. Local residents in Dade County welcomed the soldiers and cadets as they prepared for war in places such as Coconut Grove, Allapattah, and Hialeah. Like so many other parts of the country, bond drives were an important...
2024-10-1026 min
Miami History PodcastMiami Pioneer Locke T. Highleyman This podcast episode features the story of Miami Pioneer Locke T. Highleyman and his family. Highleyman was the developer of the Point View subdivision in Brickell, Palm and Hibiscus Islands, the Meyer-Keyser building, and helped judge the selection of the name for the Wynwood neighborhood. He also held the lease to manage the Elser Pier and served as a four-term councilman for the City of Miami. While Locke did not spend his entire adult life in Miami, his contributions were extensive. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear more about Locke and the Highleyman family. You...
2024-08-2916 min
Miami History PodcastHistoric Ingraham Building in Downtown Miami This podcast episode features the history of the Ingraham Building at 25 SE Second Avenue in downtown Miami. This building is named for Miami pioneer James Ingraham and was constructed from 1926 – 27, near and during the end of the building boom of the 1920s. James Ingraham played an important role for Henry Flagler as a vice president of the Florida East Coast (FEC) Company, and as president of the Model Land Company, the organization responsible for marketing and selling land acquired by the FEC. Ingraham was an icon in early Miami. When he died unexpectedly on October 25, 1924, the city an...
2024-06-2821 min
Miami History PodcastHistory Dade County Seats This podcast episode features the inception and the history of Dade County and its many different county seats. Originally slated to be named Pinckney County, the municipality was named for Major Francis Dade who lost his life in a battle with the Seminole Indians in December of 1835. The county was formed in January of 1836 and was named to honor the fallen West Point graduate. The original county seat was placed in Indian Key and was there from 1836 until 1844. It was moved to the banks of the Miami River, then referred to as Biscayne Bay Country, when William...
2024-03-2633 min
Miami History PodcastFederal Buildings in Downtown Miami This podcast episode features the buildings that served as the federal courthouse and post office in Miami from 1915 through the present day. The first courthouse was designed by Oscar Wenderoth in the early 1910s and opened at 100 NE First Avenue in downtown Miami. This building provided for all federal agencies including the courthouse, post office, and weather bureau from its opening until the peak of the Great Depression in 1933. When the city's federal business outgrew the original building, a new federal courthouse and post office building was constructed beginning in 1932 on the site of Miami's first school...
2023-11-2827 min
Miami History PodcastHistory of Port of Miami This podcast episode discusses the early history of the Port of Miami. From the first channel dredged by Henry Flagler in 1897 to the move of the port to the Dodge Islands, the overriding theme throughout the history of this most important institution was "Watch the Port of Miami". What began with the start of steamship service from Royal Palm Docks to transport tourists from Miami to Key West, grew into one of the largest port operations in the nation by the 1930s. When the port moved from the mouth of the Miami River to today's Maurice Ferre...
2023-07-1940 min
Miami History PodcastStatesman Tourists in Miami (1920 - 1946) This podcast episode features the stories of presidents and world leaders who visited Miami from 1920 – 1946. By the start of the second decade of the Twentieth Century, newly elected presidents began traveling to Miami as part of their pre-inauguration vacation to relax, fish and prepare for their presidential term. This was the case for Warren G. Harding in 1921, Herbert Hoover in 1929, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1933. In addition, as Miami grew over the course of the first few decades of the last century, visiting the metropolitan area became politically advantageous for sitting presidents. In January of 1928, Calvin Coolidge ma...
2023-02-261h 01
This Day in Miami History PodcastFebruary 26, 1946: Winston Churchill receives an honorary degree from the University of Miami (with Casey Piket)In today's episode of This Day in Miami History, we enjoy a very special collaboration with Casey Piket of Miami History Podcast. Casey and Matthew explore the history of statesmen tourists in Miami, with a particular focus on Winston Churchill's visit to Miami in 1946.Miami History - https://www.miami-history.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/this-day-in-miami-history-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2023-02-261h 04
Miami History PodcastHistory of Dade County Courthouses in MiamiThis podcast episode features the different Dade County courthouses that were located in the City of Miami from the formation of the county. Dade County was created in 1836 and the county seat resided in Indian Key, along the banks of the Miami River, and in Juno, until a county-wide vote placed it in the City of Miami in 1899. The first county courthouse in Miami was located in a two-story building on the east side of Avenue D, the future South Miami Avenue, from 1899 until 1904. The first courthouse located on Twelfth Street, the future Flagler Street, opened in 1904...
2023-01-3029 min
Miami History Podcast50th Anniversary of Perfection in 1972The year 1972 was a special year for the Miami metropolitan area. It was an election year when South Florida hosted the political conventions of both major parties, when the sitting president made Key Biscayne famous as the winter White House, and when Dade County approved a $553 million "Decade of Progress" bond issue to fund projects that would upgrade the county's infrastructure and cultural institutions. It was also the year of the "perfect season" for the Miami Dolphins. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear about the early history of the Miami Dolphins and that magical season...
2022-12-281h 24
Miami History PodcastHistory of the Village of Miami ShoresThis podcast episode features the story of one of South Florida's prominent municipalities on the northeastern section of Dade County. What was once part of an area referred to generically as 'Biscayne Country', it became America's Mediterranean when the Shoreland Company purchased and platted the future Village of Miami Shores. The development of Miami Shores began to market property during the peak of the 1920s building boom and set records for lot sales in a single day. However, the Shoreland company took on too much debt and had to file for bankruptcy after the boom abruptly ended...
2022-11-2321 min
Miami History PodcastMiami - Civil War to Incorporation (1861 – 1896)This podcast episode features Miami from the onset of the Civil War to the dawn of incorporation in 1896. While it was a sparsely populated wilderness, the former Fort Dallas, or future City of Miami, was subject to a Union blockade during the Civil War years. During the reconstruction period, the Freedman's Bureau dispatched William Gleason to assess the viability of the region for a place to settle freed slaves. This began a period of chaos between the established settlers and Gleason's ambitions from 1866 through 1877. During the decades of the 1870s and 1880s, many of Miami's earliest pioneers...
2022-08-2330 min
Miami History PodcastHistory of Fort DallasThis podcast episode features the story of the Fort Dallas era of Miami. While there were several fortifications during the conflicts with the Seminole tribe during the mid-1800s, the area took on the name Fort Dallas for years following the army's abandonment of the fort that once resided in today's downtown Miami. Fort Dallas was originally built on Richard Fitzpatrick's homesite during the Second Seminole War, and then later was refortified on the same property, then owned by Fitzpatrick's nephew William English, during the Third Seminole War. Once the Seminole Wars had concluded, the remaining buildings...
2022-08-1436 min
Miami History PodcastDade Heritage Trust Turns 50On the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Dade Heritage Trust (DHT), the Miami History Podcast welcomes Christine Rupp, director of the organization to discuss the institution's mission, accomplishments, and future. DHT was founded to provide advocacy for historic preservation around Miami-Dade County. It was organized in 1972 by a group of women who saw the need for a county-wide organization to protect historic buildings and resources throughout the municipality. Website: www.miamihistory.com Sponsor: https://miami-history.com/sponsors/bbq-and-craft-company-brickell
2022-06-2141 min
Miami History PodcastDowntown Miami Railroad StationsThis podcast episode discusses the locations, stories, and impact of the FEC downtown railroad stations over the course of the City of Miami's first 125 years of history. From the first temporary train station constructed in 1896, lasting only one year, to the long-time wood frame station near the county courthouse, the FEC railroad stations have always been important institutions during downtown Miami's storied history. www.miami-history.com
2022-06-1534 min
Miami History PodcastHistory of the Allapattah NeighborhoodAt the time the city of Miami decided on its original borders during incorporation in 1896, Allapattah was located on the city's outskirts consisting of pristine piney woods and farmland along the edge of the everglades. While it was primarily agricultural, Flagler's FEC organization chose the quarter as the location of their nine-hole golf course for the Royal Palm Hotel. It also became the homesite for John Sewell, the self-proclaimed "Daddy of Miami". Over time, Allapattah became one of many neighborhoods within the city limits of Miami. Today, it is a diverse area that is rapidly becoming the...
2022-01-0544 min
Miami History PodcastMain Library in Bayfront ParkThe main branch of the downtown Miami library began as a collection of books and reading circles by the Married Ladies Afternoon Club at the turn of the last century. The roving de-facto library met in many different places during its first decade, but the lack of a facility did not deter the women who began the city's collection of books. With the creation of the Miami's Women's Club on Flagler Street, the library had an address. The club would move to the Edgewater neighborhood in the late 1920s where the Flagler Memorial Library was created. The...
2021-07-2147 min
Miami History PodcastPuerto Ricans in MiamiFor more than seventy-five years, Puerto Ricans have relocated to Miami in phases. Places like Brickell, Wynwood and the Redlands saw significant settlements of Puerto Rican families as part of several waves of migration. In the mid-1940s, some of the wealthier families purchased mansions along Brickell Avenue to form the first "Little San Juan". A decade later, a migration of working-class Boricuas settled in Wynwood, shifting the designation of "Little San Juan" to that quarter. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear more about Puerto Rican migration to and settlements in Miami. Author Dr. Victor...
2021-06-2227 min
NFT Rumors: The Podcast - NFT News & Interviews#4- NFT News Updates and Miami Historian Casey PiketOn today's episode of NFT 305, Alec and Lucas give you the biggest news updates in the NFT and crypto space. We also sat down with local Miami Historian, Casey Piket, to discuss previous economic booms in South Florida and his take on the Miami tech scene moving forward. **Special Thanks to synapse and switch me on- Silverman sounds**
2021-06-1524 min
Miami History PodcastBuilding Boom of the 1920sThis podcast episode discusses Miami's great building boom of the 1920s. The state of Florida attracted a lot of capital for real estate speculation during the roaring twenties and South Florida was the epicenter of this investment activity. While the boom peaked in the mid-1920s, the progression toward this crescendo began in latter part of the 1910s and early 1920s. It was decade when Miami evolved from a quiescent small southern city into one of the fastest growing metropolises in the country. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear more about the stories and milestones...
2021-06-0458 min
Miami History PodcastBrickells in AustraliaThe name Brickell has become synonymous with the upscale financial district located on the southside of the Miami River. However, long before the name became a brand for an important quarter near downtown Miami, it was the surname of a prominent family that settled southside when the area was a sparsely populated outpost and long before it became what it is today. Those who are familiar with the story of the Brickell family may know their role in the formation of the city of Miami but may not be familiar with their story prior to arriving in...
2021-03-1255 min
Miami History PodcastGreater Miami During WWIIThis podcast episode describes the transformation of the greater Miami area after the United States entered World War II. The area became the training facility for the armed forces. Downtown Miami was converted into the southern command and training facility for the Navy, and Miami Beach became the training grounds for the Army Air Corp. The focus of the entire metropolitan area was the war effort. Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com
2021-02-1453 min
Miami History PodcastWynwood's Little San JuanThe conclusion of World War II marked a time period of hope and change for America. The return of soldiers from fighting in two theaters of war triggered rapid change throughout the country, but particularly in South Florida. That was especially true for the Wynwood neighborhood, located in the heart of the City of Miami. When the Martinez family relocated to Wynwood in 1945, it began a trend that transformed the neighborhood. Other Puerto Rican families began to identify Wynwood as a place to build a common bond based on similar customs and culture. In this episode of...
2020-06-2828 min
Miami History PodcastPioneer Aviator Hugh RobinsonWhen Hugh Robinson met Glenn Curtiss, it was more than just a chance meeting. It was the beginning of a friendship and partnership that had a lasting impact on early aviation. Curtiss was the visionary and Robinson was the engineer who brought Curtiss' vision to life. The innovations and advancements made by these two men were consequential and lasting. In addition to their contributions to aviation, both men contributed to the development of South Florida as well. Curtiss was a very wealthy man when he arrived in South Florida and co-founded the cities of Miami Springs, Hialeah...
2020-04-2629 min
Miami History PodcastShort History of Silver BluffPlatted in 1911 and incorporated in 1921, the town of Silver Bluff was independent for a short period of time. It was one of several municipalities that was annexed by the city of Miami in 1925. Nestled between the Miami's original southern boundary and the town of Coconut Grove, Silver Bluff was named for the bluff, located along the eastern edge of the quarter, that appears silver when touched by morning sunlight. Although the community was split on the decision to become part of the city of Miami in 1925, it has maintained a character all its own since the annexation...
2020-04-0514 min
Miami History PodcastGeorge Merrick & Coral GablesCoral Gables was more than just a master planned development erected during the building boom of the 1920s, it was where its founder, George Merrick, found the perfect intersection of poetry and progress. Merrick was both a pragmatist and a dreamer. He studied the City Beautiful movement very closely to the point where he envisioned Coral Gables before the first shovel was planted in the ground of the family plantation. He even nicknamed his new municipality "The City Beautiful" after the movement he studied. George was an eternal optimist who was not deterred after the devastation of...
2020-03-1519 min
Miami History PodcastSuper Bowls Hosted in South FloridaAs Miami prepares to host Super Bowl LIV, this podcast episode will reflect on the ten prior Super Bowls played in Miami. While this year's Super Bowl will be the sixth hosted at Joe Robbie, now called Hard Rock, stadium, five of the first ten Super Bowls were played at the iconic Orange Bowl. The games featured a repeat champion, an unlikely upset, a last-minute victory and a rematch of two storied franchises. Once the Super Bowl moved to Miami Gardens for the next five games hosted in South Florida, there were plenty of intriguing story lines...
2020-01-2531 min
Miami History PodcastEl Jardin in Coconut GroveOnce part of Coconut Grove's Millionaire Row, El Jardin was originally the home of Pittsburgh industrialist John Bindley. The mansion was later used as a corporate retreat for the Cities Services Corporation, later renamed Citgo, and then finally the campus of the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart beginning in 1961. The residence was designed by renowned architect Pittsburgh-based Richard Kiehnel, principal of the firm Kiehnel and Elliott. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear more about EL Jardin and the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Below are additional resources and articles that tell the story...
2019-12-2826 min
Miami History PodcastAnnexation of 1925The annexation of towns and unincorporated areas of Dade County was a growth strategy for the City of Miami in both 1913 and 1925. The city took advantage of a Florida law in 1905 that changed how annexations would proceed in the state. The 1913 annexation extended the northern and western borders without much incidence. However, the annexation in 1925, which included the municipalities of Coconut Grove, Silver Bluff, Allapattah, Little River, Buena Vista and Lemon City, was met with reluctance from two of the listed towns. A slight majority of Silver Bluff residents voted for the annexation while most Coconut Grove...
2019-11-1116 min
Miami History PodcastPine Tree Drive on Miami BeachPine Tree Drive on Miami Beach has been the focus of both city officials and preservationists in recent months. The Australian Pines planted in the median of this thoroughfare served an agricultural purpose long before they provided shade and aesthetics for a busy street on the beach. Originally planted by John Collins, one of the founders of Miami Beach, the trees represent a public safety concern given their age and shallow root system. Australian Pines are not indigenous to Florida and typically has a lifespan much shorter than the trees that anchor the median on Pine Tree...
2019-10-2913 min
Miami History PodcastMunroes of Coconut GroveA surname very familiar to those who study Coconut Grove's early history is Munroe. There were two unrelated families with the same last name, and same spelling, that had a deep impact on the Grove from its onset. Today, Ralph may be the most well-known Munroe given that his home, The Barnacle, is a very popular tourist attraction in the heart of Coconut Grove. However, his friends, both namesake and others, were central to the early development of a community that so many admire today. Ralph's mother, her companion, and his uncle were also early movers and...
2019-10-0122 min
Miami History PodcastDowntown Theaters in Mid-Century MiamiIn the middle decades of the last century, Miami featured a vibrant downtown that served as the center of activity for daily life for residents of the growing metropolitan area. The central business district was a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. Although only a few remain, the theaters of downtown Miami were a big part of this core of activity. The theater district included Flagler Street and the adjacent area and featured theaters from three of the largest theater chains in the country. The Paramount movie studio built and operated the Olympia, Paramount and Florida theaters...
2019-09-0114 min
Miami History PodcastMiami News Freedom TowerThe latest episode of the Miami History Podcast will tell the story of the Miami Daily News and the building that it occupied from 1925 until 1957, when the newspaper relocated to a new building near the Miami River. The tower was vacant for nearly five years when it was given a second life. From 1962 until 1974 it became the Ellis Island for newly arriving Cuban refugees. During its time as the processing and welcome center for Cubans, it was renamed Freedom Tower. The building provided healthcare services and food for the immigrants that were arriving with not much more...
2019-07-0117 min
Miami History PodcastFort Dallas ParkThis podcast episode features historic Fort Dallas Park in downtown Miami. Once the core of Julia Tuttle's estate on the north bank of the Miami River, it became a fine upscale residential area following her death. Harry Tuttle, Julia's only son, platted out property that spanned from NE First Avenue to South Miami Avenue from east to west, and the river to midway between SE Third and SE Second Street from south to north. There were many one to two-story single-family homes in this downtown subdivision of downtown Miami. Miami History Blog Miami History Channel
2019-06-0219 min
Miami History PodcastHistory of Miami City CemeteryThis podcast episode features the story of the Miami City Cemetery. Aside from a city's history museum, there may not be a better way to learn about an area's past than a walk through its oldest cemetery. The city cemetery on NE Second Avenue certainly tells the story of early Miami. Miami's signature graveyard has interred many of the city's most important pioneers. From railroad men who were dispatched by Henry Flagler to the Miami River to develop the north bank, to opportunists that crafted their legacy during the early years of the city, many of Miami's...
2019-05-2620 min
Miami History PodcastHistory of the Wynwood NeighborhoodThe Wynwood neighborhood has received a lot of attention over the last couple of decades. However, its history is more than a hundred years. The neighborhood was originally named Wyndwood Park. Later the name would drop the park from the name and the 'D' from the spelling of Wynwood. The area was mostly occupied by working class residents. It featured companies such as the Coca Cola bottling plant, as well as, the American Bakeries. Northwest Fifth Avenue developed into a garment district. Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com
2019-04-2920 min
Miami History PodcastHistory of Miami River – Part 2 of 2The second part of the history of the Miami River describes the evolution of the river from the mid-1800s through modern times. Prior to the Brickells arriving to the area, the big cash crop in the area was the cultivation and processing of the cyad plant, known as Coontie. It was one of the few industries that provided trade for the area. After the Tuttles and Brickells came to an agreement with Henry Flagler, the river changed dramatically. The news of Flagler extending his railway to what would become the city of Miami attracted a lot...
2019-02-2421 min
Miami History PodcastHistory of Miami River – Part 1 of 2The Miami River is the serpentine tributary that separates downtown Miami from today's Brickell neighborhood. The history of the area has centered around this waterway as the regions earliest inhabitants found refuge, food and security along the banks of the river. Juan Ponce De Leon named the indigenous people found along the river as "Tequesta" during a voyage on Biscayne Bay in 1513. The river was also the location of several Spanish missions, a military fort, a blockade by the navy during the Civil War and a trading post run by the Brickell family along the south bank...
2019-02-0917 min
Miami History PodcastSports in the Art Deco AgeSports have been a big part of Miami's entertainment fabric from the very beginning. In the first couple of decades baseball games were played at Royal Palm Park which was adjacent to the Royal Palm Hotel. Given the access to the ocean, fishing tournaments were a big draw, particularly for conventioneers who traveled to Miami during the winter months. The Art Deco Age began in the late 1920s and lasted until the start of World War II. During this era, football became more popular and games played at Moore Park and Roddy Burdine Stadium, later renamed to...
2019-01-2713 minMiami History PodcastPerricones in BrickellAs Steve Perricone prepares to move his namesake Brickell restaurant and marketplace to a new location, he sat down for an interview with the Miami History Podcast to share his personal story and what led him to Brickell. Steve began his career as a party promoter in New York. Circumstances led him into the restaurant business and his early ventures provided valuable lessons that he now applies to his successful business in Miami. His journey to South Florida did not begin in Brickell but began with a restaurant concept called Stefanos on Washington Avenue on Miami Beach.
2019-01-0626 min
Miami History PodcastEpisode 17: Miami's First Christmas in 1896As December approached in the year of 1896, the recently incorporated city of Miami was winding down a very eventful year. The extension of the FEC Railway to the banks of the Miami River was completed, construction of Flagler's Royal Palm Hotel was nearing completion and the residents of the new city were preparing for their very first Christmas. Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com
2018-12-3116 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 16: Miami's Tallest BuildingThis podcast episode features the structures that held the distinction of being the tallest buildings in Miami from 1912 through the present. From the time that Roddy Burdine decided to build the five-story retail and office building until the recent completion of the Panorama Tower, Miami has had several buildings that have held the distinction being considered Miami's tallest edifice. Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com
2018-12-2219 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 15: Historic Short Street in Downtown MiamiThis podcast episode discusses the history of a unique street in downtown Miami that was given the nickname of Short Street by early Miami pioneers. Its formal name was originally Avenue A, but given its span of only two-blocks, it was much shorter than the other avenues that were laid out during the incorporation of the city of Miami. Short Street was the centerpiece of Miami's first upscale residential area. Many early Miami pioneers built fine homes along the avenue and adjacent streets. However, by the mid-1910s, the area around Short Street began a slow conversion...
2018-11-1219 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 14: Ball & Chain in Little HavanaThis podcast episode features Miami's Ball & Chain. Within the confines of Little Havana stands an institution that has lived a couple of lives. Within the walls of a building that was constructed in 1930 is an entertainment venue that provides libations, live music and dancing in the heart of the Tamiami Trail. In its first incarnation, the night spot provided live music and dancing beginning in the 1935. By the late 1940s, the entertainment lineup included live Jazz and burlesque shows. When Henry and Ray Miller bought the establishment in the early 1950s, they began booking well-known black entertainers...
2018-11-0317 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 13: History of Little HavanaThis podcast episode will tell the story of Little Havana. Prior to the neighborhood taking a new name in the 1960s, it was known as two different neighborhoods. The Riverside neighborhood was located north of SW Eighth Street and was created by a lot of different developers during the first half of the Twentieth Century. The Shenandoah neighborhood developed south of SW Eighth Street and was named for its resemblance to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Everything changed after Castro took over Cuba in 1959. Refugees migrated into Miami and ultimately settled into the area around the Tower...
2018-09-3023 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 12: History of Coconut GroveThis podcast episode features the history of Coconut Grove. From its inception, 'The Grove' was a place that attracted characters and developed on its own terms. Long before Henry Flagler decided to extend his railway to the banks of the Miami River, Coconut Grove was an active community that was much larger than what would become the core of downtown Miami. The community attracted counts, authors, painters and anyone who appreciated the organic and pristine beauty of South Florida before the extension of the railway. Through the Twentieth Century, it never lost its beatnik vibe. Although it...
2018-09-2326 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 11 - Carl Fisher & The Flamingo HotelThis podcast episode features the father of Miami Beach, Carl Fisher and one of his most notable hotels. Carl Fisher was a serial entrepreneur who made his fortune marketing technology to provide headlamps for early automobiles. After he and his partner, James Allison, sold Prest-O-Lite to Union Carbide, Fisher was in search for his next project. As fate would work its magic, Fisher ended up "retiring" in Miami at home he bought sight unseen in Miami's upscale Southside neighborhood. Southside is now referred to as the Brickell neighborhood. After meeting John Collins and agreeing to help him...
2018-09-0923 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 10 - Royal Palm HotelThis podcast episode features Miami's first luxury hotel. As part of his agreement with Julia Tuttle, Henry Flagler built the Royal Palm Hotel on the north bank of the Miami River in an area that became downtown a few decades later. Shortly after the signing of the agreement between Tuttle and Flagler, Joseph A. McDonald and John Sewell got to work to build the iconic hotel. The structure was a five-story, wood-frame building with an observation tower at the top and a wrap-around veranda on the first level. The hotel was painted in the customary Flagler yellow...
2018-08-2719 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 9 - Dr. James Jackson & DHTThis podcast episode focuses on Miami's pioneer physician. Dr. James Jackson was the son of a doctor who grew up in Bronson, Florida. Although his father wanted him to manage the family orange grove business, James wanted to follow in his father's footsteps as a doctor. He got his medical degree from Bellevue Hospital in New York City and joined his father to practice medicine back in Bronson. However, the freezes of 1894 completely changed his fate when he had to leave Bronson to continue practicing medicine. A chance meeting with an FEC executive led to a job...
2018-08-2019 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 8 - Burdines: The Florida StoreThe eighth episode of the Miami History Podcast discusses the Burdine family and their namesake store. Opportunity brought William Burdine and his family to Miami in 1898. Having heard about the influx of soldiers deployed to Camp Miami during the Spanish American War, William dispatched his son, John, to the two-year old Magic City. Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Provide feedback to casey@sfwebnet.com
2018-07-2919 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 7 - Bayfront ParkThe seventh episode of the Miami History Podcast discusses the history of Bayfront Park. Built with bay bottom fill in the mid-1920s, the park has been the front porch of the City of Miami since it opened in 1925. It has been a location for many of Miami's most notable events for large gatherings. While it has been considered for conversion from a park to other uses, it has remained the most important green space in downtown Miami. Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Provide feedback to casey...
2018-07-0818 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 6 - Orange BowlThe sixth episode of the Miami History Podcast features the story of the iconic Orange Bowl. Long before it was known as the "Orange Bowl" it was a baseball stadium on land provided by the Tatum Brothers. During the early 1930s, several prominent Miami pioneers came up with the idea to have the city host a New Year's Day football game. In the game's third year, the same committee of men facilitated the move to what become the Orange Bowl's permanent home. Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com ...
2018-06-2418 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 5 - The Brickells (Part 2 of 2)The fifth episode of the Miami History Podcast continues the story of the Brickell family. Part two discusses the Brickell family's impact on Miami from the turn of the twentieth century to modern day. Following the death of Bill Brickell in 1908, Mary Brickell assumed the role as leader of the family business. While she was a tough business woman, she was considerably more tactful than her late husband. During her time managing the family's real estate affairs, Mary sold tracts of land to Miami pioneers and industrial giants alike. She began a project near and...
2018-06-1711 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 4 - The Brickells (Part 1 of 2)The fourth episode of the Miami History Podcast begins the story of the Brickell family. This is a two-part series explains what brought the family to the banks of the Miami River and their impact on the development of the City of Miami. William Brickell was considered a soldier of fortune who traveled the world to find his fortune. During his travels, he met his wife Mary Bulmer. By the time the couple arrived in South Florida, they had six children and added two more after settling along the south bank of the Miami River. ...
2018-06-1009 minMiami History PodcastEpisode 3 - Julia TuttleThe third episode of the Miami History Podcast features the story of Julia Tuttle. She is considered by most the "Mother of Miami". Although she was unable to cast a vote for the incorporation of the city on July 28. 1896, there was no bigger catalyst for the founding and development of Miami. Julia was a young woman when she first visited the banks of the Miami River. From the moment that she saw the pristine beauty of the area, she began to envision what it could become. Long before she convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railway and...
2018-06-0216 min
Miami History PodcastEpisode 2 - Henry Flagler (Part 2 of 2)The second installment of the Miami History Podcast continues the story of Henry Flagler's journey through Florida. The hosts discuss Flagler's negotiation with Julia Tuttle and the Brickells. In addition, the podcast tells the story of Flagler's Oversea Railway that terminated in Key West in 1912.
2018-05-2917 min
Miami History PodcastEpisode 1 - Henry Flagler (Part 1 of 2)The first several episodes of the Miami History Podcast will feature stories of the founders of the City of Miami. The first two episodes will feature Henry Flagler, considered the "Father of Miami".
2018-05-1814 min