Week in History: February 15 - 21
Events that occurred during the week of February 15th through the 21st in South Florida's history.
OTD: February 15, 1910 - Biscayne Bay Yacht Club opened Downtown Clubhouse
On February 15, 1910, the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club opened their new clubhouse at the terminus of Eleventh Street (now NE First Street), in downtown Miami on Biscayne Bay. Click on the button below to read more about this clubhouse.
OTD: February 15, 1933 - President Elect Franklin Delano Roosevelt Nearly Assassinated in Bayfront Park
On the evening of February 15, 1933, a deranged anarchist named Giuseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate president elect, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in Bayfront Park. Click on the button below to read more about this event.
OTD: February 15, 1936 - Remembering Miami Pioneer Merchant Roddy Burdine
On February 15, 1936, Roddy Burdine, Miami's Merchant Prince and Chairman of Burdines Department Store, died at St. Francis Hospital on Miami Beach of encephalitis. He was only 49 years old. Click on the button below to hear a podcast episode on Roddy Burdine and the Florida Store.
OTD: February 16, 1964 - Beatles Appear on Ed Sullivan Show Filmed at the Deauville Hotel
On February 16, 1964, The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show for the second time. Filming of this show took place at the Hotel Deauville on Miami Beach.
OTD: February 17, 1920 - County Causeway Opened
On February 17, 1920, the new County Causeway connecting Miami to Miami Beach opened. In addition to the Collins wooden bridge, the County Causeway provided a second thoroughfare to get to Miami Beach. It was later renamed the MacArthur Causeway. Click on the button below to read more about the opening of the County Causeway.
OTD: February 18, 1926 - Olympia Theater Celebrated Grand Opening
On Thursday, February 18, 1926, the Olympia Theater at 174 East Flagler Street celebrated its grand opening.
OTD: February 18, 1926 - Columbus Hotel Celebrates Grand Opening
On Thursday, February 18, 1926, the same day that the Olympia Theater officially opened, the Columbus Hotel on Biscayne Boulevard celebrated its grand opening.
OTD: February 19, 1889 - Dade County Seat Moved to Juno
On February 19, 1889, the was a referendum vote that moved the Dade County Seat from the banks of the Miami River to Juno. Politicians residing in the Lake Country region took advantage of the population in the northern part of the county being much larger than that along what was referred to as Biscayne Bay Country to initiate a vote to move the county seat to be much closer to the more densely populated northern section of the county. A couple of years after incorporation of the City of Miami, the Dade County Seat was moved back to Miami. Click on the button below to hear more about the history of the Dade County Seat.
OTD: February 19, 1940 - Mayor of Miami Beach Appears on the Cover of Time Magazine
On February 19, 1940, the Mayor of Miami Beach, John H. Levi, appeared on the cover of Time Magazine. Read more by clicking the button below.
OTD: February 20, 1979 - Remembering Miami Pioneer Kathryn Highleyman
On February 20, 1979, Miami Pioneer Kathryn Highleyman died at the age of 97. At the time of her death, she was the oldest member of Miami Pioneers Club. Click on the button below to read more.
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.