James Deering

Cozy Corner on the corner of today's Flagler Street and Biscayne Boulevard in 1916

Cozy Corner in Downtown Miami

When John Sewell and his crew began preparations to clear the grounds in April of 1896 for what would become the Royal Palm Hotel, Julia Tuttle asked him to preserve as many of the best shade trees as possible. She…


Cottages on Brickell Point on July 8, 1940

Cottages of Brickell Point

The headline in the Miami Metropolis on June 3, 1910, read “An Old Landmark About to Become a Memory” which was referencing the end of the store building on Brickell Point. The structure was constructed by William Brickell and others…


Chamberlain Apartments next to McAllister Hotel in 1918

Chamberlain Apartments on Flagler Street

Nestled between the McAllister Hotel and the Elks Club at 313 East Flagler Street stood the Chamberlain Apartments from 1916 until 1925. The apartment building was constructed by one of Miami’s pioneer photographers, John Chamberlain, who knew that Miami would…


Urmey Hotel Balcony in 1934

Hotel Urmey in Downtown Miami

Hotel Urmey had a good run. It was built by a Miami pioneer in 1917.  William Urmey managed one of the early Miami establishments before building his dream hostelry. His vision was to build an elegant building that would replace…