History of South Miami
http://www.cityofsouthmiami.net/history.htm
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
Although Native Americans had doubtlessly roamed the area for centuries, the recorded history of South Miami began at the turn of the century when the rich farmlands of South Dade lured pioneers down through Little Hunting Ground (later known as Coconut Grove) to Big Hunting Ground (now known as Cutler).
In 1897, W.A. Larkins, an early pioneer and founder of South Miami, brought his family into the lush wilderness at the southernmost end of the wagon trail that is now the Ingraham Highway. He started a small dairy and a year later established a post office near what is not Cocoplum Circle.
Upon the completion of the Miami to Homestead extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad in 1906, Larkins bought the property west of what is now Red Road and south of Sunset Drive and established the first grocery and general supply store located in the area. Additionally, the US Government moved the post office to that location, and the surrounding community was named Larkins in honor of the its Postmaster.
By 1917, the population of Larkins had swelled to 350. As with much of Florida, the real estate boom of the Roaring '20's had a large impact on Larkins. Land values reached an all-time high when a ten-acre tract sold for $100,000. The epicenter of the boom was near the original Riviera Theater, which is more commonly referred to today as the Shops at Sunset Place.
Beginning in the mid-1920's, many citizens of Larkins expressed a desire to incorporate their burgeoning community. In March of 1926, a group of qualified voters met and voted affirmatively to annex an area of approximately 6 square miles, bounded on the East by Red Road, on the South by SW 104 Street and Kendall Drive, on the West by Ludlam and the Palmetto and on the North by Bird Road.
The citizens of the newly incorporated area named the new municipality the Town of South Miami and elected Judge WA Foster as Mayor and JL Paxson, JW Barrs, John Myers, WG Stang, RL Martin, JB Janes and Harold Dorn as Aldermen.
The Town Council immediately went to work. Within weeks, it established a Town Seal; formulated a town code; rented a building to be the Town Hall; purchased a fire truck; and appointed a health officer, engineer and an attorney.
The Great Hurricane of September 1926 dealt a punishing blow to the Town of South Miami. Only the courage and determination of its citizens permitted the Town to survive the disaster. Although the Town requested federal assistance, asking Congress to "relieve the people of their income tax for the current year", none was received. To make matters worse, the Florida East Coast Railway station burned down, leaving the town without a station for many years.
Many citizens became dissatisfied with the municipality's status as a town, feeling that the "town" was being ignored by the State and Federal Governments, and began calling for a change to a "city". Therefore, the Town of South Miami prepared a new charter and presented it to the Florida Legislature during its 1927 Session. The Florida Legislature approved the charter, and on June 24, 1927, the Town of South Miami ceased to exist and the City of South Miami was born.
The early 1930's signaled the beginning of what was probably the most turbulent and uncertain period in South Miami's history. Financial problems and local dissension generated a temporarily successful movement to abolish the City in 1931. In fact, all City functions were suspended for approximately six months until the courts intervened and ordered the City to resume operations. On May 17, 1932, Judge Worth A. Trammell ordered the Mayor and Council to resume City business because no one had made any provisions to retire the City's debts! Interestingly, one of the largest debts was to the LeFrance Fire Engine Company, from which the City had purchased a fire engine six years earlier. South Miami may be the only city in the nation to be saved by a fire engine with no flames in sight!
In 1933, in an effort to lessen municipal responsibilities and to appease many concerned citizens, South Miami's total area was reduced from its original six square miles to just over three square miles. Later, in 1937, the City's size was reduced again, as many dissatisfied northern residents sued out of the City. These actions created most of the irregular boundaries that still characterize South Miami today.
During World War II, South Miami's development temporarily slowed, but the post-war period brought exponential growth. The tremendous impacts of growth soon caused the City to realize that its original charter was inadequate. Consequently, a committee was appointed to study the existing charter's shortcomings and recommend improvements. The committee recommended an entirely new charter providing for a city manager-commission form of government. The new charter and form of government were instituted on July 31, 1953, upon the approval of a citizen referendum.
Since the 1950's the City and its charter have experienced several changes, but have largely remained true to the pioneers' vision. Today, much like the post-war period, the City of South Miami is experiencing tremendous growth and redevelopment, as people have recognized the unique "small-town" atmosphere of the "City of Pleasant Living". The City stands poised to lead by example in the next millennium.
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Prior to the late 19th century, most of South Florida was sparsely populated frontier territory. Miami was a small settlement with a few plantations. Julia Tuttle (think the Julia Tuttle causeway) recognized the areas' value as a strategic seaport. In 1895 she traded land to Henry Flagler (think Flagler Street) in exchange for his extending his railroad to Miami from West Palm Beach. The city reincorporated the following year when the railroad was completed.
A Quaker farmer from New Jersey named John Collins (think Collins Avenue) purchased property on one of Miami’s barrier islands. In 1913, he and Carl Fisher (think Fisher Island) had a bridge constructed connecting the island to the mainland. Biscayne Bay was dredged, creating more waterfront property and stabilizing the island. In 1915, this area was incorporated as Miami Beach.
This became a popular winter getaway with people coming from the north to enjoy the warmth and beaches that South Florida had to offer. Big hotels and estates were constructed during the roaring 20's and through the prohibition era. Movie stars and famous people were regularly seen in the area, from politicians to Al Capone. Al Capone used his stay in Miami Beach as an airtight alibi for his participation in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
The area fell on hard times just prior to World War II, but had a resurgence when many of the large hotels were used to house soldiers while they were trained in the area. After the way, many returned to the area to settle, having enjoyed the warm weather and lush tropical environment during their stay.
Biltmore Hotel
The historic Biltmore Hotel has been a Miami landmark since 1926 reflecting the opulence and elegance of the roaring 20's with its sprawling estate-like setting and Mediterranean-inspired architecture.
The Carlton Hotel
The Carlton Hotel is proud of its location in the traditional heart of South Beach. The people visiting the area aren't just amazed by the beauty of our property and the oceanfront, but are able to bask in the rich history that the area has to offer.
Rail History
The history of railroading in Florida spans almost 170 years and is closely linked with the state’s development and growth. While the sound of a steam whistle echoing through the pine forests of north Florida evokes romantic images of a frontier past, the real impact of rail transportation has been the development of the urbanized Florida we know today.
Both freight and passenger railroads are experiencing rebirth. Today’s freight railroads set new ton-mile records yearly, Amtrak has re-established the conventional passenger train and Tri-Rail has brought commuter rail services to south Florida.
Follow us through the four periods of Florida’s rail history as the rural short lines became the major rail systems of today...
1834-1883
The dawn of railroading in Florida was a supplement to water travel. The new railroad technology had not yet found its place in the transportation picture but, by the late 1800's, railroads were the engine of growth in Florida.
1834 - The Tallahassee Railroad began construction of a 22-mile route from the new capital city of Tallahassee to Port Leon, near the Gulf of Mexico. Mules pulled carloads of cotton from the compress and warehouses in Tallahassee to the ocean-going ships at the port. Today, the route of Florida’s first railroad is the St. Marks recreational trail. By 1836, a second line was operating, The St. Joseph - Lake Wimico Railroad serving Port St. Joe.
Cotton ready for loading at Tallahassee
1850 - Senator David Yulee promoted the Florida Railroad from the port of Fernandina to the Gulf of Mexico at Cedar Key. While built to speed shipments between the Atlantic seaboard and gulf coast destinations, the line also encouraged the development of interior north Florida. Parts of this line are still in use today.
Tracks leading to Cedar Key
Prior to the Civil War, the Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad line extended from Jacksonville to Tallahassee and by 1874 was extended to River Junction near Chattahoochee. In 1883, the Louisville and Nashville line from Pensacola made the connection at River Junction.
Early railroads were also build to connect with the St. Johns river boat lines. Example were the Tocoi Railroad bringing early tourists from the St. Johns to St. Augustine, and the Orange Belt Railroad connecting the river port of Sanford to the developing city of St. Petersburg.
1883-1928
This period saw the opening of peninsular Florida and a boom in railroad construction. The "Henry’s", Henry Plant, Henry Flagler and Henry Sanford used their railroads to open previously inaccessible parts of the state.
1883 - The proceeds from the Disston Land Purchase established the Internal Improvement Fund. The fund was used to assist the construction of new rail lines.
Holiday excursion on the Orange Belt Railway
Henry Plant’s rails pushed south from Jacksonville along the St. Johns River to Sanford then southwest through Orlando to Tampa. The University of Tampa now occupies Plant’s hotel at the end of the line. Henry Sanford’s lines penetrated the interior of the state.
Henry Flagler acquired the Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Halifax River Railway, and advanced construction south along the east coast arriving in the settlement of Miami in 1896.
Henry Plant, developing the midlands and west coast regions of Florida, wired Flagler, "Friend Flagler, where is this place called Miami?" Flagler wires back, "Friend Plant, just follow the crowd!"
Henry Flagler
Henry Plant
1911 - Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway goes to sea and the first train arrives in Key West.
Florida East Coast Railway train in the Florida Keys
The 1920's - The Roaring 20's made Florida the place to be and the land boom was on! The Florida East Coast Railway, already in Miami, added a second track. The Seaboard Air Line Railroad rapidly built south, arriving in Miami in 1927.
The Florida Special arrives at Miami
Major hurricanes in 1926 and 1928 abruptly ended the land boom. Both the Florida East Coast and the Seaboard, burdened by the expense of rapid expansion in Florida, entered receivership.
Atlantic Coast Line train in Main Street, Gainesville
1928-1980
East Coast Champion, all-reserved coach train operating between New York and Miami.
The Dixie Flagler, deluxe streamliner stopped at Hollywood on its Miami-Chicago run.
With the exception of the war years, this period was generally marked by hard times and decline for the railroads. Florida’s tourist trade stayed relatively healthy during the Great Depression, aiding the passenger train business, but following the Second World War, inflexible regulation and competition from air and highway modes took its toll.