Week in History: March 26 - 31
Events that occurred during the week of March 26th through March 31st in South Florida's history.
OTD: March 26, 1896 - First Store on North Side of Miami River Opened
On March 26, 1896, the first store on the north side of the Miami River, site of present day downtown Miami, was opened by John and E.G. Sewell. The store was a shoe and men's furnishing store. Within eight hours of the opening of John Sewell & Brother store, J.E. Lummus opened a shoe and merchandise store in a shed as the second retail establishment in what would become downtown Miami.
OTD: March 26, 1915 - Town of Miami Beach was Incorporated
On March 26, 1915, the town of Miami Beach was incorporated when 33 registered voters gathered and cast their votes in the Lummus Building on the northeast corner of Ocean Drive and Biscayne Street. Given the tremendous growth in just two years, the town would re-charter as the City of Miami Beach in 1917.
OTD: March 26, 1942 - Remembering Coral Gables Founder George Merrick
On March 26 in 1942, George Merrick, planner and developer of Coral Gables, passed away from a heart attack at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Merrick was the visionary and developer of Coral Gables during the building boom of the 1920s.
OTD: March 29, 1926 - The Miami Realty Board Building Celebrates Grand Opening
On March 29, 1926, the Miami Realty Board Building, at 329 NE First Avenue in downtown Miami, opened and was officially dedicated. More than 3,000 people showed up for the formal opening ceremonies and to tour the building. The building was renamed to the Postal Building in the 1930s, and then renamed again to the Pacific Building in 1945.
OTD: March 29, 1938 - Oversea Highway Officially Opens
On March 29, 1938, the Oversea Highway, stretching 127.5 miles and carrying US 1 through the keys, opened and was officially dedicated. It was mostly built over the former right-of-way of the Oversea Railway.
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 button below. Scroll to the bottom of the page to purchase your signed copy online.