Week in History: December 15 - 22
Events that occurred during the week of December 15th through the 22nd in South Florida's history.
OTD: December 17, 1825 - Cape Florida Lighthouse was Completed
On December 17, 1825, the Cape Florida Lighthouse was completed on the southern tip of Key Biscayne. The original construction of the tower was suppose to include a 65-foot-tall tower of solid block, five foot thick at the bottom and two feet thick at the top. However, the contractor who constructed the structure scrimped on materials and built a structure of hollow walls.
The lighthouse was attacked by Seminole Indians in 1836 when an explosion ended the attack and left the assistant keeper, John Thompson, injured, and his assistant, Aaron Carter, dead. The attack rendered the lighthouse abandoned from 1836 through 1846 when it was repaired and rebuilt. The new lighthouse was lit in April of 1847.
OTD: December 19, 1882 - Baker’s Haulover Purchased
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. Field and Osborn also owned land on today’s Miami Beach and Key Biscayne in addition to Baker’s Haulover.
OTD: December 20, 1924 - Alhambra Hotel in Downtown Miami Opens
On December 20, 1924, the Alhambra Hotel at 119 SE Second Street celebrated its formal opening. The hotel was constructed in the middle of what was known as Palm Cottage row for the residential building stock constructed by the FEC organization in the late-1890s to provide housing for FEC employees during the early years of the City of Miami.
Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book
Get your signed copy of the Brickell Avenue Neighborhood Book by ordering online on the Miami History Blog website. The book shares a pictorial history of the Brickell neighborhood from 1870 through the 1980s. Read more about the contents of this book and purchase your copy by clicking on the ‘Learn More’ button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.