Miami History

10,000 BC... Tequesta Indians live in peace in South Florida. Little of their existance is known, but in 1998 the "Miami Circle" was discovered which includes 24 holes inscribed - and can be found at their original site in Downtown Miami.

1513... Ponce de Leon became the first European in Florida! An historic road in Coral Gables remains named after him.

1783... The British leave Florida and give it back to the Spanish.

1821... The U.S. buys Florida from Spain.

1845... Florida becomes the 27th state in the Union.

1895... Henry Flagler along with founding families Tuttle and Brickell... formed a business relationship at the mouth of the Miami River. The Brickell family operated a trading post and post office.

1896... Henry Flagler finishes construction of his railroad, Miami incorporates - and becomes accessible to the rest of the country.

1912... Great Miami Fire of 1912 devestated much of what was then called "Colored Town" (now Overtown).

1912... Flagler's Overseas Railroad was completed... the extention of the existing Flagler railroad linking the mainland to Key West.

1914... Miami Beach's first hotel, the WJ Brown Hotel, opens for business.

1915... Carl Fisher dredges Biscayne Bay to build Miami. To this day the bay divides the islands of Miami Beach and Key Biscayne. Famed "Fisher Island" is named after him. Carl Fisher History

1926... Hurricane demolishes much of Miami (September 18th). Often referred to as the "Great Miami Hurricane" it hit Miami as a Category 4 with winds as high as 150 mph.

1926... the University of Miami opened its doors for the first time just days after the Great Miami Hurricane passed (was founded in 1925). Without money to finish construction and repairs, they dredged what is now Lake Osceola (in the middle of campus) for coral - to sell or use as landfill. As a result of the devastation, the athletic teams of UM were named "Hurricanes". The Ibis became the school's mascot, because it is known as the last bird to leave before a great storm. University of Miami History

1935... Overseas Railroad / Florida East Coast Railway extension was destroyed by the "Labor Day Hurricane of 1935" which hit as a devastating Category 5. Labor Day Hurricane of 1935

1966... Miami Dolphins played their first game (September 2nd) at the historic Orange Bowl stadium. The team was owned by Joe Robbie and TV actor Danny Thomas. Miami Dolphins History


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