Casey Piket @ Miami History
@miamihistory.bsky.social
Founder of the Miami History project at www.miami-history.com
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.
On December 10, 1992, the NHL awarded the South Florida ownership group, headed by Wayne Huizinga, an expansion franchise that became the Florida Panthers.
December 10, 2025 at 12:32 PM
On December 10, 1992, the NHL awarded the South Florida ownership group, headed by Wayne Huizinga, an expansion franchise that became the Florida Panthers.
On December 7, 1922, the cornerstone was laid for the Scottish Rites temple at 471 NW Third Street near Lummus Park in downtown Miami. Attached is the front page of the Miami Herald on December 7, 1922.
December 7, 2025 at 9:55 PM
On December 7, 1922, the cornerstone was laid for the Scottish Rites temple at 471 NW Third Street near Lummus Park in downtown Miami. Attached is the front page of the Miami Herald on December 7, 1922.
A day that will forever live in infamy. On December 7, 1941, Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii at 1:48pm EST. This act led to a declaration of war by congress and formally entered the United States into WWII. Attached is the cover of the Miami Daily News on Monday, December 8, 1941.
December 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A day that will forever live in infamy. On December 7, 1941, Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii at 1:48pm EST. This act led to a declaration of war by congress and formally entered the United States into WWII. Attached is the cover of the Miami Daily News on Monday, December 8, 1941.
On December 6 , 1947, President Harry S Truman went to Everglades City, Florida, to dedicate Everglades National Park. Attached is a photo of Truman speaking at the dedication ceremony.
December 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM
On December 6 , 1947, President Harry S Truman went to Everglades City, Florida, to dedicate Everglades National Park. Attached is a photo of Truman speaking at the dedication ceremony.
On December 4, 1920, Miami Beach's first post office was opened. Read more about this building by clicking on the attached link.
First Miami Beach Post Office
The story of Miami Beach's first post office, which opened on December 1, 1920, and served the city's postal needs until 1933. The building was razed on November 5, 1997.
www.miami-history.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
On December 4, 1920, Miami Beach's first post office was opened. Read more about this building by clicking on the attached link.
On December 4, 1920, Joe Weiss opened his own restaurant that he called Joe’s Restaurant. He was formerly the chef at the Sunshine Inn, but left that position because of a change in ownership of the restaurant. Joe’s Diner was later renamed to Joe’s Stone Crab.
Joe’s Restaurant on Miami Beach, 1920 - 1931
The story of Joe's Stone Crab restaurant's first decade in business. Joe Weiss opened his namesake restaurant on December 4, 1920, an establishment that has been a landmark for more than a century.
www.miami-history.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
On December 4, 1920, Joe Weiss opened his own restaurant that he called Joe’s Restaurant. He was formerly the chef at the Sunshine Inn, but left that position because of a change in ownership of the restaurant. Joe’s Diner was later renamed to Joe’s Stone Crab.
Remembering Miami pioneer photographer John Chamberlain on the anniversary (November 30), of his passing in 1925. Chamberlain took some of the most iconic early photographs around Miami during its incorporation year of 1896 and beyond.
Chamberlain Apartments on Flagler Street
The story of Miami's pioneer photographer, John Chamberlain, who was referred to as the 'postcard king', and his small apartment building built on Flagler Street in 1916.
www.miami-history.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Remembering Miami pioneer photographer John Chamberlain on the anniversary (November 30), of his passing in 1925. Chamberlain took some of the most iconic early photographs around Miami during its incorporation year of 1896 and beyond.
On November 27, 1921, George E. Merrick sold the first lot in what would become Coral Gables. Attached is a photo of a land auction in Coral Gables in the early 1920s, courtesy of Florida State Archives.
November 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
On November 27, 1921, George E. Merrick sold the first lot in what would become Coral Gables. Attached is a photo of a land auction in Coral Gables in the early 1920s, courtesy of Florida State Archives.
Today (November 22) marks the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, in 1963. Did you know that the president was in Miami, Florida, four days earlier delivering a speech at the Americana Hotel in Bal Harbour?
JFK Visit to Miami in November of 1963
The story of President John F. Kennedy's last visit to Florida in November 1963.
www.miami-history.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Today (November 22) marks the anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, in 1963. Did you know that the president was in Miami, Florida, four days earlier delivering a speech at the Americana Hotel in Bal Harbour?
Remembering Miami pioneer and first mayor of Miami, John B. Reilly, who passed away on this day (November 15), in 1928, at the age of 58. Reilly served four one-year terms from 1896 to 1900.
November 15, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Remembering Miami pioneer and first mayor of Miami, John B. Reilly, who passed away on this day (November 15), in 1928, at the age of 58. Reilly served four one-year terms from 1896 to 1900.
On November 14, 1922, First National Bank opened for business in their new 10-story bank building at the corner of NE First Avenue and Flagler Street. The building still stands in downtown Miami as the First Flagler Condominiums. Attached is a photo of the building when it opened in 1922.
November 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
On November 14, 1922, First National Bank opened for business in their new 10-story bank building at the corner of NE First Avenue and Flagler Street. The building still stands in downtown Miami as the First Flagler Condominiums. Attached is a photo of the building when it opened in 1922.
On November 13, 1997, Dade County was officially renamed to Miami-Dade County by a ballot measure approved by the county voters. This was done to convey an association of the county name with the more recognizable City of Miami.
November 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On November 13, 1997, Dade County was officially renamed to Miami-Dade County by a ballot measure approved by the county voters. This was done to convey an association of the county name with the more recognizable City of Miami.
On November 12, 1899, Hotel Miami burned to the ground, along with several other businesses including the Miami Metropolis. This was the second major fire in Miami's brief history. Hotel Miami was only opened for two and a half years before the fire.
Hotel Miami Burned Down in 1899
The fire that ravaged Avenue D on November 12, 1899, represented the end of Hotel Miami which was constructed by Julia and Harry Tuttle in 1896 in the hopes of opening the first land-based inn.
www.miami-history.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:36 PM
On November 12, 1899, Hotel Miami burned to the ground, along with several other businesses including the Miami Metropolis. This was the second major fire in Miami's brief history. Hotel Miami was only opened for two and a half years before the fire.
Thank you for your service to all who are members and veterans of the armed forces. Did you know that Veterans Day was referred to as Armistice Day until 1954 when President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of this day of thanks to those who have sacrificed to serve this country?
Armistice Day in Miami (1918)
The story of how the end of World War I, referred to as Armistice Day, was received and celebrated in Miami on November 11, 1918. The remembrance of this day is now Veteran's Day in the United States.
www.miami-history.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Thank you for your service to all who are members and veterans of the armed forces. Did you know that Veterans Day was referred to as Armistice Day until 1954 when President Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name of this day of thanks to those who have sacrificed to serve this country?
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin wall was taken down opening up the German city for the first time since it was erected in August 1961. A 12-foot portion of that wall was donated by Germany to Miami-Dade College in November of 2014 commemorating the 25th anniversary of the removal of the barrier.
Segment of Berlin Wall in Downtown Miami
The story of how a piece of world history found its way on the downtown campus of Miami-Dade College in 2014.
www.miami-history.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin wall was taken down opening up the German city for the first time since it was erected in August 1961. A 12-foot portion of that wall was donated by Germany to Miami-Dade College in November of 2014 commemorating the 25th anniversary of the removal of the barrier.