Casey Piket @ Miami History
@miamihistory.bsky.social
Founder of the Miami History project at www.miami-history.com
On February 6, 1896, Isidor Cohen, Miami's first permanent Jewish settler, arrived on the shores of Biscayne Bay in Miami. Isidor became a prominent pioneer merchant in early Miami, and provided an historical account of the pioneer days of early Miami.
February 6, 2026 at 2:23 PM
On February 6, 1896, Isidor Cohen, Miami's first permanent Jewish settler, arrived on the shores of Biscayne Bay in Miami. Isidor became a prominent pioneer merchant in early Miami, and provided an historical account of the pioneer days of early Miami.
On February 4, 1926, George Merrick spoke at the cornerstone laying of the University of Miami. George dedicated the first building at the university to his deceased father.
University of Miami Cornerstone Dedication in 1926
On February 4, 1926, George Merrick spoke at the cornerstone laying of the University of Miami. This is the story of the dedication and the beginning of the university in Coral Gables.
www.miami-history.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:27 PM
On February 4, 1926, George Merrick spoke at the cornerstone laying of the University of Miami. George dedicated the first building at the university to his deceased father.
On January 30, 1946, Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine, visit Hialeah Racetrack with General Hap Arnold as their guest. The party joined John C. Clark, owner of the venue, in his box as they watched several races that afternoon.
Webinar: Winston Churchill Visits Hialeah Race Track
A webinar to detail Winston Churchill's six-week holiday in South Florida from January 16 through March 2, 1946.
www.miami-history.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:45 PM
On January 30, 1946, Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine, visit Hialeah Racetrack with General Hap Arnold as their guest. The party joined John C. Clark, owner of the venue, in his box as they watched several races that afternoon.
Read about the early Avenue D business district in Miami during its founding year of 1896. Avenue D was later renamed to Miami Avenue, and the view in the cover photo is of today's South Miami Avenue from SE Third Street looking north.
Avenue D Business District in 1896
Photo of the early Miami business district on Avenue D, today's South Miami Avenue, prior to the Christmastime fire in December 1896.
www.miami-history.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Read about the early Avenue D business district in Miami during its founding year of 1896. Avenue D was later renamed to Miami Avenue, and the view in the cover photo is of today's South Miami Avenue from SE Third Street looking north.
The latest article published on the Miami History Substack page shares the story of the grand opening weekend for the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. A couple of elegant dinner banquets and an event filled three days of celebration occurred beginning on Friday, January 15, 1926.
Grand Opening of Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables
The details of the grand opening weekend for the Miami-Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables which began on the evening of Friday, January 15, 1926.
www.miami-history.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:31 PM
The latest article published on the Miami History Substack page shares the story of the grand opening weekend for the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. A couple of elegant dinner banquets and an event filled three days of celebration occurred beginning on Friday, January 15, 1926.
On January 23, 1921, the Christian Hospital was dedicated at 1218 NW First Place in Overtown. It was the first hospital for the black community in segregated Miami. Attached is a photograph of the Christian Hospital dedication on that day.
January 23, 2026 at 11:22 PM
On January 23, 1921, the Christian Hospital was dedicated at 1218 NW First Place in Overtown. It was the first hospital for the black community in segregated Miami. Attached is a photograph of the Christian Hospital dedication on that day.
On January 22, 1941, the Mayflower Restaurant held its grand opening for their location on the corner of Biscayne Boulevard and SE First Street in downtown Miami. Click on the link to read more.
Mayflower Restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard
The story of the Mayflower Restaurant at 80 South Biscayne Boulevard in Miami, Florida, was known best for its coffee and donuts. It opened on January 22, 1941, and operated until the mid-1960s.
www.miami-history.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:49 AM
On January 22, 1941, the Mayflower Restaurant held its grand opening for their location on the corner of Biscayne Boulevard and SE First Street in downtown Miami. Click on the link to read more.
On January 22, 1912, Henry Flagler arrived in Key West on the FEC Oversea Railway. The Oversea Extension was the culmination of 8 years of work and connected the railway from Miami all the way to Key West.
January 23, 2026 at 12:47 AM
On January 22, 1912, Henry Flagler arrived in Key West on the FEC Oversea Railway. The Oversea Extension was the culmination of 8 years of work and connected the railway from Miami all the way to Key West.
On January 22, 1897, Hotel Miami officially opened its doors on South Miami Avenue just north of the Miami River. Julia Tuttle was hoping that this would be Miami's first land based hostelry. However, due to delays, several other hotels opened prior to Hotel Miami's opening.
Hotel Miami on Avenue D
The short history of Hotel Miami, which was constructed in 1897 by Julia and Harry Tuttle along today's South Miami Avenue near the north bank of the Miami River. It opened on January 22, 1897.
www.miami-history.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:45 AM
On January 22, 1897, Hotel Miami officially opened its doors on South Miami Avenue just north of the Miami River. Julia Tuttle was hoping that this would be Miami's first land based hostelry. However, due to delays, several other hotels opened prior to Hotel Miami's opening.
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Attached is an article of his time in South Florida and in particular his role as the keynote speaker for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which was hosted at the Four Ambassadors hotel in the Brickell neighborhood beginning on February 19, 1968.
MLK Leads Conference in Brickell in 1968
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, hosted at the newly opened Four Ambassadors Sheraton in the Brickell neighborhood, featured Martin Luther King Jr. as the keynote speaker.
www.miami-history.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Attached is an article of his time in South Florida and in particular his role as the keynote speaker for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which was hosted at the Four Ambassadors hotel in the Brickell neighborhood beginning on February 19, 1968.
January 19, 1977 represented a unique weather day in South Florida when it snowed. Although just a light dusting, it was a very rare occurrence.
January 19, 2026 at 1:47 PM
January 19, 1977 represented a unique weather day in South Florida when it snowed. Although just a light dusting, it was a very rare occurrence.
On January 16, 1897, Miami's original luxury hotel, The Royal Palm, officially opened for Miami's first official tourist season. The next evening, on Sunday, January 17th, the hotel opened in grand style with a banquet and dance to celebrate the opening of Miami's grand hostelry.
Opening of Miami's Royal Palm Hotel
The story of the conception, construction, and opening of Henry Flagler's Royal Palm Hotel in Miami, Florida. The hostelry celebrated its grand opening on January 17, 1897.
www.miami-history.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:05 PM
On January 16, 1897, Miami's original luxury hotel, The Royal Palm, officially opened for Miami's first official tourist season. The next evening, on Sunday, January 17th, the hotel opened in grand style with a banquet and dance to celebrate the opening of Miami's grand hostelry.
Happy Centennial for the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, which celebrated its grand opening on January 15, 1926. This institution was opened as grand Mediterranean-designed luxury hotel, but became an Army hospital during WWII, than a VA hospital and finally restored back to a luxury hotel
Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables
On the 100-year anniversary the Biltmore Hotel, which celebrated its grand opening on January 15, 1926, this is the story of an iconic institution in the heart of Coral Gables.
www.miami-history.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Happy Centennial for the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, which celebrated its grand opening on January 15, 1926. This institution was opened as grand Mediterranean-designed luxury hotel, but became an Army hospital during WWII, than a VA hospital and finally restored back to a luxury hotel
Remembering founding pioneer William Brickell on the anniversary of his passing. On January 14, 1908, William B. Brickell died at the age of 84. Attached is a photo of William (seated in the back), with his two sons and friends within two years of his death. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.
January 14, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Remembering founding pioneer William Brickell on the anniversary of his passing. On January 14, 1908, William B. Brickell died at the age of 84. Attached is a photo of William (seated in the back), with his two sons and friends within two years of his death. Courtesy of Florida State Archives.
The latest episode of the Miami History Podcast shares the history of the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne, Florida. Click on the link to listen to this episode, or download on your favorite podcast platform (iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify).
Cape Florida Lighthouse
The history of the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County that recently celebrated its Bicentennial on December 17, 2025.
www.miami-history.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:33 PM
The latest episode of the Miami History Podcast shares the history of the Cape Florida Lighthouse on Key Biscayne, Florida. Click on the link to listen to this episode, or download on your favorite podcast platform (iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify).
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.