Week in History: February 22 - 28
Events that occurred during the week of February 22nd through the 28th in South Florida's history.
OTD: February 22, 1819 - Treaty to Cede Florida to the United States
On February 22, 1819, Spain’s Minister to the United States, Don Luis de Onis, and Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams, signed a treaty of cession of Florida to the United States. Florida became a territory until March 3, 1845, when it became the country’s twenty-seventh state.
OTD: February 22, 1917 - Remembering the Duke of Dade
Remembering Miami Pioneer, James Ewan, aka the Duke of Dade, on the anniversary of his passing on February 22, 1917. He was hired as the onsite manager of the Biscayne Bay Company’s real estate interest in South Florida, including the former Fort Dallas property. Learn more by clicking on the button below.
OTD: February 22, 1926 - Fulford Speedway Only Race
On February 22, 1926, the first and only race took place at the recently completed Fulford-Miami Speedway in Fulford-on-the-Sea in North Dade County. The racetrack was financed by Carl Fisher, Miami Beach developer and co-founder of the Indianapolis 500, and managed by Ray Harroun, who was a retired race car driver who won the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. The racetrack hosted one race because the track was badly damaged by the 1926 Hurricane forcing the facility into foreclosure. Although the speedway cost $100,000 to construct, the grounds and remaining structure were sold for $10,000 in March 1927.
OTD: February 23, 1900 - Miami Board of Trade Founded
On February 23, 1900, the Miami Board of Trade was organized to help promote the young City of Miami. It later merged into the Miami Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Trade met on the second floor of the Miami Bank and Trust building on the corner of NE First Avenue and NE First Street in downtown Miami.
OTD: February 24, 1899 - Miami Telephone Company Began Service
On February 24, 1899, the Miami Telephone Company began service to the three year old City of Miami. The first switchboard operated out of the Red Cross Drugstore, located in the Townley Building, which was in downtown Miami at the corner of today’s Miami Avenue and SW First Street. Learn more by clicking on the button below.
OTD: February 26, 1946 - Winston Churchill Receives Honorary Juris Doctorate from University of Miami
On February 26, 1946, Winston Churchill received an honorary juris doctorate degree from the University of Miami in a ceremony conducted at Roddy Burdine Stadium, which would later be renamed to the Orange Bowl. Read more about Churchill’s visit to South Florida in 1946 by clicking the button below.
OTD: February 28, 1926 - Venetian Causeway Opens
On February 28, 1926, the Venetian Causeway formally opened in the afternoon. This causeway replaced the Collins Bridge, which was considered the longest wooden bridge in the USA at the time of its opening in 1913.
OTD: February 28, 1927 - Booker T. Washington High School Opened
On February 28, 1927, Booker T. Washington high school opened and became the first black high school in Dade County. The original school building was located at NW Sixth Court and NW Sixth Avenue until it was replaced in 1989 with a new edifice that was constructed next to the original structure. Click on the button below to read about the school’s founding.
OTD: February 28, 1985 - Jose Marti Park was Dedicated
On January 28, 1985, Jose Marti Park, at 351 SW Fourth Avenue in Little Havana, was formally dedicated.
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.