Week in History: July 22 - 28
Events that occurred during the week of July 22nd through the 28th in South Florida's history.
OTD: July 22, 1912 - Work Begins on Collin’s Bridge
On July 22, 1912, work began on the Collins bridge to connect Miami to the future Miami Beach. Collins secured a loan from the Bank of Bay Biscayne to begin work on what would become one of the, if not the, longest wooden bridges constructed. However, he underestimated the cost to build the bridge and ran out of money before its completion. Carl Fisher provided the necessary capital to complete the bridge in exchange for land on the future Miami Beach. The bridge was completed and officially opened on June 12, 1913.
Read more about John Collins effort to finance and construct the Collins Bridge by clicking on the button below.
OTD: July 23, 1836 - Cape Florida Lighthouse Attacked
On July 23, 1836, the Cape Florida Lighthouse was attacked and set a flame by Seminole Indians. It was restored and now is the oldest standing structure in South Florida.
OTD: July 24, 1964 - Florida Turnpike Completed
On July 24, 1964, the Florida Turnpike, originally known as the Sunshine State Parkway, was completed with the extension from Orlando to Miami.
OTD: July 25, 1906 - Miami Street Railway Began Operations
On July 25, 1906, the Miami Street Railway began operation. Given the availability of electric power around this time, Miami's first streetcar system, initially ran east on Twelfth Street from the railroad tracks to Avenue B, then north to Sixth Street where the depot was located. Twelfth Street is today's Flagler Street, Avenue B is East Second Avenue, and Sixth Street is today's North Fifth Street. The address scheme changed as part of the Chaille Plan in 1920 - 21.
OTD: July 26, 1896 - First Baptist Church Organized
On July 26, 1896, First Baptist Church, now known as Central Baptist Church, was organized.
OTD: July 26, 1925 - Miami Daily News Dedicated New Building
On July 26, 1925, the Miami Daily News dedicated and moved into their new building at NE Sixth Street and Biscayne Blvd in downtown Miami. The building was called the Miami Daily News Tower. This building was later renamed the Freedom Tower after becoming the metaphorical ‘Ellis Island’ for Cuban refugees fleeing the communist regime of the Castro government.
Read more about the Miami Daily News / Freedom Tower by clicking on the button below.
OTD: July 26, 1925 - Remembering William Jennings Bryan
On July 26, 1925, William Jennings Bryan, nicknamed the Great Commoner, died in Dayton, Tennessee. Bryan was a frequent visitor to South Florida during the early 1900s. In addition to running for President of the United States on the Democratic ticket as the populace candidate in three elections (1896, 1900, 1908), where he lost all three elections, he also served as Secretary of State during the Woodrow Wilson administration. Bryan’s Villa Serena residence still stands in the Brickell neighborhood as an homage to the Great Commoner’s time in Miami.
OTD: July 27, 1933 - Remembering Miami Pioneer E.A. Waddell
On July 27, 1933, Colonial EA Waddell, an early pioneer to Miami from Key West, passed away in New York City while seeking help for a lingering illness. Waddell died the day before Miami's 37th birthday. The Waddell Building on Miami Avenue carries the name of EA and his brother who had many business interests in early Miami.
Read more about E.A Waddell and his time in South Florida by clicking the button below.
OTD: July 28, 1896 - Happy 128th Birthday to the City of Miami
On July 28, 1896, the city of Miami was born when 368 registered voters gathered to incorporate Miami. There had to be no less than 300 registered voters in order to incorporate as a city. Any fewer, Miami would have been organized as a town. Of the 368 voters, 162 of them were black workers who helped clear the land and construct many of Miami’s early structures.
Read more about the location and proceedings that led to the incorporation of the City of Miami on July 28, 1896, by clicking on the button below.