Casey Piket @ Miami History
@miamihistory.bsky.social
Founder of the Miami History project at www.miami-history.com
Remembering Miami founding pioneer Mary Brickell on the anniversary of her passing. On January 13, 1922, Mary Brickell died, leaving a great legacy for all of Miami, but particularly the area just south of the Miami River.
Remembering Miami Pioneer Mary Brickell
Remembering founding pioneer Mary Brickell on the anniversary of her passing on January 13, 1922.
www.miami-history.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Remembering Miami founding pioneer Mary Brickell on the anniversary of her passing. On January 13, 1922, Mary Brickell died, leaving a great legacy for all of Miami, but particularly the area just south of the Miami River.
On January 12, 1874, Miami Beach pioneer Carl Fisher was born in Greensburg, Indiana.
January 12, 2026 at 2:04 PM
On January 12, 1874, Miami Beach pioneer Carl Fisher was born in Greensburg, Indiana.
On January 11, 1931, James G. Ray, the vice president of the Pitcairn Aircraft Company, flew an exhibition of his company's autogiro from Bayfront Park, around Miami's downtown skyline, and then landed back on Bayfront Park.
Autogiro Takes Flight in Miami (1931)
Autogiro exhibit in Bayfront Park on January 11, 1931.
www.miami-history.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:44 PM
On January 11, 1931, James G. Ray, the vice president of the Pitcairn Aircraft Company, flew an exhibition of his company's autogiro from Bayfront Park, around Miami's downtown skyline, and then landed back on Bayfront Park.
On January 10, 1871, William Brickell, Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Sturtevant (Julia Tuttle's parents), and several others arrived at property along the Miami River that Brickell purchased from Harriet English. Attached is a photo of Brickell Point in 1874.
January 10, 2026 at 11:33 PM
On January 10, 1871, William Brickell, Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Sturtevant (Julia Tuttle's parents), and several others arrived at property along the Miami River that Brickell purchased from Harriet English. Attached is a photo of Brickell Point in 1874.
On January 10, 1926, the Prins Valdemar capsized at the mouth of the turning basin in the Miami Harbor. Given the impact to shipment of goods and materials into Miami, this event is considered the beginning of the end of the real estate boom of the 1920s.
Prins Valdemar – A Miami Landmark
The beginning of the end of the 1920s building boom started with the capsize of a schooner at the turning basin for the Port of Miami on January 10, 1926. This is the story of the Prins Valdemar.
www.miami-history.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:14 PM
On January 10, 1926, the Prins Valdemar capsized at the mouth of the turning basin in the Miami Harbor. Given the impact to shipment of goods and materials into Miami, this event is considered the beginning of the end of the real estate boom of the 1920s.
On January 7, 1922, the electric trolley service was reinstituted. The trolley provided service to Miami, Coral Gables and Miami Beach. It lasted until 1940, when it was shut down for good. The attached photo is of trolley service on Flagler Street in the 1920s. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.
January 7, 2026 at 1:21 PM
On January 7, 1922, the electric trolley service was reinstituted. The trolley provided service to Miami, Coral Gables and Miami Beach. It lasted until 1940, when it was shut down for good. The attached photo is of trolley service on Flagler Street in the 1920s. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.
On January 6, 1873, Dr. Horace Porter applied for and was granted a post office at Coconut Grove. At the time, the name of the post office and the reference to the area was spelled as Cocoanut Grove.
January 6, 2026 at 12:43 PM
On January 6, 1873, Dr. Horace Porter applied for and was granted a post office at Coconut Grove. At the time, the name of the post office and the reference to the area was spelled as Cocoanut Grove.
On January 3, 1928, Biscayne Boulevard was officially dedicated. Prior to the renaming of this thoroughfare in 1928, it was called North Bayshore Drive but often referred to as 'The Boulevard'. Here is a photo of Biscayne Boulevard in 1926, courtesy of Miami-Dade Public Library, Romer Collection.
January 3, 2026 at 1:05 PM
On January 3, 1928, Biscayne Boulevard was officially dedicated. Prior to the renaming of this thoroughfare in 1928, it was called North Bayshore Drive but often referred to as 'The Boulevard'. Here is a photo of Biscayne Boulevard in 1926, courtesy of Miami-Dade Public Library, Romer Collection.
The latest Miami History Podcast episode shares the history of the development and evolution of the Edgewater neighborhood in Miami, Florida. Click on the attached link, or download from your favorite podcast platform (iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify), to listen to this episode.
Miami’s Edgewater Neighborhood
Podcast episode on the development and history of Miami's Edgewater neighborhood.
www.miami-history.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:30 PM
The latest Miami History Podcast episode shares the history of the development and evolution of the Edgewater neighborhood in Miami, Florida. Click on the attached link, or download from your favorite podcast platform (iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify), to listen to this episode.
On January 2, 1830, Henry Morrison Flagler was born in Hopewell, New York. He is considered the "Father of Miami" and was responsible for financing a lot of the development of the east coast of Florida in the latter part of the nineteenth century.
January 2, 2026 at 1:07 PM
On January 2, 1830, Henry Morrison Flagler was born in Hopewell, New York. He is considered the "Father of Miami" and was responsible for financing a lot of the development of the east coast of Florida in the latter part of the nineteenth century.
On January 1, 1921, James Allison opened the Aquarium on Miami Beach. It was one of Miami Beach's earliest tourist attractions and research centers on marine life in South Florida.
The Aquarium – An Early Miami Beach Tourist Attraction
On January 1, 1920, Miami Beach pioneer James Allison opened the city's first tourist attraction and research center on Biscayne Bay, just north of the terminus of the County Causeway.
www.miami-history.com
January 1, 2026 at 3:56 PM
On January 1, 1921, James Allison opened the Aquarium on Miami Beach. It was one of Miami Beach's earliest tourist attractions and research centers on marine life in South Florida.
The McAllister Hotel officially opened on New Years Eve in 1919 (12/31/1919), hosting a dinner and an elaborate gala in the ballroom on the top floor of the hotel to welcome in what would become a very eventful decade of the 1920s. The attached photo is an aerial of the hotel in 1919.
January 1, 2026 at 2:15 AM
The McAllister Hotel officially opened on New Years Eve in 1919 (12/31/1919), hosting a dinner and an elaborate gala in the ballroom on the top floor of the hotel to welcome in what would become a very eventful decade of the 1920s. The attached photo is an aerial of the hotel in 1919.
On December 31, 1912, James Deering purchased 60-acres of land from Mary Brickell for the sum of $180,000. This agreement would be the first of several transactions for land that Deering would use to construct Villa Vizcaya. The change in deed was officially recorded on January 2, 1913.
December 31, 2025 at 8:26 PM
On December 31, 1912, James Deering purchased 60-acres of land from Mary Brickell for the sum of $180,000. This agreement would be the first of several transactions for land that Deering would use to construct Villa Vizcaya. The change in deed was officially recorded on January 2, 1913.
In an article dated December 30, 1843, The News in St. Augustine provided a prophecy that there would be a vibrant town established on the banks of the Miami River. It stated that this location was the most suitable for a town in all of southeast Florida.
December 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM
In an article dated December 30, 1843, The News in St. Augustine provided a prophecy that there would be a vibrant town established on the banks of the Miami River. It stated that this location was the most suitable for a town in all of southeast Florida.
On December 27, 1915, Dade County received approval from the Federal government to construct a causeway from Miami to Miami Beach. What was named the County Causeway when it opened in 1920, was renamed to MacArthur Causeway in 1942.
History of the MacArthur Causeway
The story of the County Causeway which began construction in 1915, but did not get completed until after World War I. It opened on February 17, 1920, and was renamed to the MacArthur Causeway in 1942.
www.miami-history.com
December 27, 2025 at 3:52 PM
On December 27, 1915, Dade County received approval from the Federal government to construct a causeway from Miami to Miami Beach. What was named the County Causeway when it opened in 1920, was renamed to MacArthur Causeway in 1942.
On Christmas night, December 25, 1896, the young city of Miami experienced a devastating fire that gutted the city's first business district along Avenue D, today's South Miami Avenue, which was entirely comprised of wood-framed buildings.
Miami’s Christmastime Fire of 1896
The story of Miami's first big fire which occurred a few months after the city incorporated in July of 1896. The events which led to the fire and the steps taken to rebuild following the disaster.
www.miami-history.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
On Christmas night, December 25, 1896, the young city of Miami experienced a devastating fire that gutted the city's first business district along Avenue D, today's South Miami Avenue, which was entirely comprised of wood-framed buildings.
On Christmas day, December 25, 1916, James Deering arrived for the official opening of his grand Vizcaya Estate. The arrival was met with pomp and circumstance that included canon fire and a grand party that followed his arrival.
Vizcaya on Christmas Day in 1916
The story of the day that James Deering, Paul Chalfin, and guests celebrated the grand opening of Villa Vizcaya on December 25, 1916.
www.miami-history.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:29 AM
On Christmas day, December 25, 1916, James Deering arrived for the official opening of his grand Vizcaya Estate. The arrival was met with pomp and circumstance that included canon fire and a grand party that followed his arrival.
The story of the Alhambra Hotel which stood at 119 SE Second Street in downtown Miami from 1924 until 1973. Click on the link to read more.
Alhambra Hotel in Downtown Miami
The story of the Alhambra Hotel in downtown Miami constructed by one of Miami's leading dentists during the real estate boom of the 1920s.
www.miami-history.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The story of the Alhambra Hotel which stood at 119 SE Second Street in downtown Miami from 1924 until 1973. Click on the link to read more.
On December 19, 1882, the property known as Baker's Haulover was purchased from the State of Florida by Ezra T. Field and Frank Osborn. The photo is an aerial of Baker’s Haulover on December 1, 1927, courtesy of Florida State Archives.
December 19, 2025 at 5:28 PM
On December 19, 1882, the property known as Baker's Haulover was purchased from the State of Florida by Ezra T. Field and Frank Osborn. The photo is an aerial of Baker’s Haulover on December 1, 1927, courtesy of Florida State Archives.
Today marks the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. On December 17, 1825, the Cape Florida Lighthouse was completed on the southern tip of Key Biscayne.
December 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Today marks the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Cape Florida Lighthouse. On December 17, 1825, the Cape Florida Lighthouse was completed on the southern tip of Key Biscayne.
On December 14, 1926, the Woman's Club and Flagler Memorial Library on 1737 NE Bayshore Drive in Miami was dedicated. The first photo is coverage of the dedication in the Miami Herald, the second of the Woman’s Club building in 1927.
December 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM
On December 14, 1926, the Woman's Club and Flagler Memorial Library on 1737 NE Bayshore Drive in Miami was dedicated. The first photo is coverage of the dedication in the Miami Herald, the second of the Woman’s Club building in 1927.
On December 13, 1920, the Miami Beach Electric Company turned on their big electric turbine for the first time. Within a week, the company would furnish light and power to Miami Beach. This was the first incarnation of electricity provided by a Miami Beach company.
Miami Beach Electric Company Began Service in 1920
Miami Beach Electric Company launches service in 1920 to power America's winter playground as Miami Beach was known a century ago.
www.miami-history.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
On December 13, 1920, the Miami Beach Electric Company turned on their big electric turbine for the first time. Within a week, the company would furnish light and power to Miami Beach. This was the first incarnation of electricity provided by a Miami Beach company.
The latest article on the Miami History Substack shares the story of the infamous territory referred to as 'North Miami'. It was just outside of the City of Miami's original northern border and devolved into the region's red-light district.
Original & Infamous North Miami
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.
www.miami-history.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:18 AM
The latest article on the Miami History Substack shares the story of the infamous territory referred to as 'North Miami'. It was just outside of the City of Miami's original northern border and devolved into the region's red-light district.
Happy Birthday to the Chairman. On December 12, 1915, Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. Sinatra was a frequent visitor and entertainer in South Florida during his life where he often stayed and performed at both the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc Hotels on Miami Beach.
Frank Sinatra in Miami Beach
On the anniversary of the Chairman of the Board's birthday, December 12, 1915, we reflect on Frank Sinatra's fondness for South Florida and his activities during his visits to the area.
www.miami-history.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Happy Birthday to the Chairman. On December 12, 1915, Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. Sinatra was a frequent visitor and entertainer in South Florida during his life where he often stayed and performed at both the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc Hotels on Miami Beach.
On December 10, 1955, city workers remove a Banyan tree from a parking lot in downtown Miami which was planted on the grounds of the Royal Palm Hotel within a few years after Henry Flagler's grand hotel opened.
Last Remnant of the Royal Palm Gardens
The story of a Banyan tree that was planted in the Royal Palm Gardens in 1896 that lasted more than 20-years after the demolition of the Royal Palm Hotel.
www.miami-history.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
On December 10, 1955, city workers remove a Banyan tree from a parking lot in downtown Miami which was planted on the grounds of the Royal Palm Hotel within a few years after Henry Flagler's grand hotel opened.