Miami Through the Ages – Then and Now
Sep 27, 2016Miami is known for its zeal in historic preservation. From art deco to MiMo, we’ve always wanted our city to be a thriving expression of who we are. Despite our dedication to preserving the past, Miami looks a lot different now than it did a few generations ago.
Let’s look back in time at the heart of Miami and see how far we’ve come.
Historic Miami and the Present Day
The Washington Avenue Trolley in 1930. Via The Miami Beach City Archives. Image courtesy of http://stayfit305.com/ciclovia-rides-into-miami-beach-on-june-12th/
Washington Avenue has long been a central hub of our community. In the 20’s, the street was a part of the Miami Beach land boom, proving to be a convenient transit way and a great place for commerce in the early days.
Image courtesy of Alvin Lederer https://goo.gl/maps/mqYSv3op2FG2
Miami has tried to put a trolley system in place multiple times over the last 100 years, as it would serve to help with congestion problems in the area.
Photo courtesy of Alvin Lederer https://goo.gl/maps/ZYCmaxHiKcG2
While most of the locations we are looking at have changed quite a bit over time, this intersection looks the same as it did decades ago. It features the North Miami High School Senior Arch, partially obscured by the tree.
Image courtesy of http://viewlinerltd.blogspot.com/2011/01/pan-am-terminal.html By Dtobias (Own work) CC BY-SA 3.0
Pan American Airways was founded in 1927, providing mail and passenger service between Florida and Cuba. While Pan Am is no more, the terminal has been returned to service as the Miami City Hall.
Image from http://www.miamitodaynews.com/2015/04/28/historic-site-could-get-36-story-tower/ https://goo.gl/maps/UZqaQyDLwW52
The Hotel Beverly Terrace (built in 1920) was torn down to expand operations for a wider Biscayne Boulevard. The location remains could soon get a resident. While any new structures will have to fit the historical feel of the neighborhood, current zoning would allow a building to go as high as 36 stories.
gas station / pizzeria https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/crust-miami?select=BLubNIbM6GDosxBRfc6UHg
Staying consistent with Miami’s theme, the Atlantic Gas Station, built in 1940, was designated as a historic place in 1988. While you won’t be getting gas or auto body work from there any longer, you can find a pretty darn good pizza at that location now.
Image courtesy of Pat Barrett https://goo.gl/maps/kfFahzXxYBr
Victoria is the longest running private hospital in the area, beginning operations in 1924. As you might be able to tell from the photo, they have made a few changes and upgrades over the years, but they are right where they were when they opened up 92 years ago.
Image of Coral Gables Theater - 1926 https://goo.gl/maps/ymJkm13txv62
In 1926, the Coral Gables Theater would have featured the new hit films like, The General (Buster Keaton) and The Scarlet Letter (Lillian Gish) — silent films displayed in a stunning 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The site now features newer businesses, such as the Wells Fargo Center, currently the fifth highest building in Florida.
Image of Morrison's Pharmacy - 1920s https://goo.gl/maps/HoaML5R37T32
While the building that began as Morrison’s Pharmacy in the 1920’s is still there, this particular block of North Miami Avenue doesn’t have quite the same character anymore.
Welcome to Miami
When Miami was first incorporated in 1896, officially there was only a few hundred people here. The Magic City grew rapidly, reaching nearly 30,000 by 1920, and then booming to more than half a million by the end of the second World War.
As a whole, Miami not only survived, but thrived to become a major international, cultural, and architectural marvel. The only question is, what are we building now that will be worth remembering 100 years from now?
Integrity, Trust, Pride, and Peace of Mind,
~Frank Istueta
