By Aaron Reynolds
Miami beach, Florida is an island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Although the city of Miami, Florida is visible from the beach city, they are separated by the bay. Because of its hot and humid climate, the city is extremely vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms.
Early History
Native Americans were the first known settlers in the Miami region. The Tequesta lived in this area and were able to fend off the white man until the 1800s.
First Real Estate
Miami Beach began as a 165-acre plot of land intended for planting and harvesting coconuts. Henry and Charles Lum purchased the land in 1870 but eventually relinquished control to Elnathan Field and Ezra Osborne and finally to John Collins after the coconut venture proved a bust.
Bridging the Gap
In 1913, John Collins and Carl Fisher bridged the gap between Miami and Miami Beach by constructing the world's longest wooden bridge. The Town of Miami Beach was incorporated in 1915 and J.N. Lummus was elected the first mayor.
Roaring 1920s
The decade of the 1920s began and ended with a stretch of mansions being erected over a three-mile stretch of land that came to be known as "Millionaire's Row."
Depression Years
A handful of businessmen were able to build many small hotels along the beachfront. This area became the famous Art Deco District also known as South Beach.
Exodus
As Fidel Castro gained power over Cuba in 1959, the exodus of many Cuban refugees began and continued through the 1960s. In 1965, 100,000 Cubans fled Cuba in "freedom flights" between Havana and Miami.
Resources
About the Author:
Aaron Reynolds is a freelance writer out of Colorado. Reynolds has a degree in communication media and various work published in newspaper, magazine, and online print media. Reynolds has worked for SchoolSports Magazine, The Old Berthoud Recorder, ThingsPeopleHate.com, and SneakerDemon.com.
