Miami History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Brickells in Australia Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

The 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 Miami. It was a serendipitous journey to Australia that led William Brickell into great wealth, but also led him to find his wife. While Mary and Bill Brickell met and married in Australia, it was ultimately their journey to the wilderness along the Miami River that cast the family in a leading role in the formation of the Magic City.

Greater Miami During WWII Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

This 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

Wynwood’s Little San Juan Jun 28, 2020

Show notes

The 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 the Miami History Podcast, David Martinez shares his memories of living in Miami during his formative years. This is the story of Little San Juan in the Wynwood neighborhood from 1945 – 1957.

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Pioneer Aviator Hugh Robinson Apr 26, 2020

Show notes

When 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 and Opa Locka. Robinson joined Curtiss the in the creation and development of the city of Opa Locka.

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Short History of Silver Bluff Apr 05, 2020

Show notes

Platted 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. It is still a single-family residential community and hopes to maintain its charm from its days as a town (1921 – 1925).

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

George Merrick & Coral Gables Mar 15, 2020

Show notes

Coral 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 the 1926 Hurricane. While this great storm may have ended the dreams of many of the land speculators who converged on Miami in the 1920s, Merrick kept building. However, he wasn’t able to overcome the setback presented by the stock market crash of 1929.

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Super Bowls Hosted in South Florida Jan 25, 2020

Show notes

As 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 that surrounded the games. One of the Super Bowl LIV opponents, the San Francisco 49ers, were featured in the first two games hosted at Joe Robbie Stadium. The third championship hosted in Miami Gardens featured a story book ending to a Hall of Fame career for John Elway. The last two contests pitted Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints respectively.

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

El Jardin in Coconut Grove Dec 28, 2019

Show notes

Once 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 of El Jardin and its different uses from its construction in 1918 until present day.

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Annexation of 1925 Nov 11, 2019

Show notes

The 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 citizens were strongly opposed. To this day, a lot of the long-time Grovites still feel that they were annexed against their will.

Tune into this week’s podcast episode to hear more about the annexations of 1913 and 1925 and how the Florida state law impacted the results of both special elections. You can access the episode on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud and the Miami-History Blog site (www.miami-history.com/podcasts).

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Pine Tree Drive on Miami Beach Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Pine 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 Drive. While they served the purpose of protecting Collin’s crops in the early part of the last century and have provided much needed shade to the road that was designed to incorporate the trees, there is a lot of talk of removing the whole lot given the public safety concern.

Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com

Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

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