Miami's history provides a classic study in what the opportunistic American spirit can yield with a little perseverance and a bit of luck. From its entrepreneurial roots to its modern day indulgence, Miami has shown a knack for turning its balmy climate and natural environment into a viable product to entice and delight visitors and residents alike.
Miami's first inhabitants were the Tequesta Indians, who referred to the area as Mayaimi, which probably means "big water" or "sweet water". The Spaniards arrived on the scene in the 16th century and attempted to subdue the natives by building a mission there - a futile effort. Control of the area was passed back and forth between Spain and Britain until it was acquired by the United States in 1821.
There was then a series of bloody wars from 1818 to 1858 between the United States and the natives in what became known as the Seminole Wars. Villages were burned and the settlers began to exploit and displace the Seminole population.
By the time the wars ended, most of the native population had been displaced or destroyed, but Miami was still not viewed as a safe place to live and struggled to attract people to the area. The real boon came in 1895 in the form a record frost that wiped out most of Northern Florida. Miami was untouched, and the enterprising Julia Tuttle capitalized on the situation to persuade rail baron Henry Flagler to extend his railroad down to Miami.
By April 1896 the railroad reached Miami, and with it came flocks of people whose livelihood in northern Florida had been destroyed. Citrus growers were prevalent, but with them came people like doctors and merchants who anticipated the boom that Miami was about to experience.
Around the same time, another person with a vision also made a decision that had a lasting effect on the area. John Collins, with the help of Carl Fisher, bought the swamp that would eventually be transformed into Miami Beach. No doubt the mocking observers were properly chagrined later.
Growth and prosperity continued to bless Miami from that time through the early 20th century, WWI and the era of Prohibition. The first real blow came in the form of a devastating hurricane combined with a statewide repression and the national Great Depression. Miami proved impervious in the long run and began recovery in the 1930s.
WWII was a period of great change, as South Florida became a massive military base due to the sinking of an American tanker off Florida's coast by the Germans. After the war many of the soldiers returned to Miami to live there.
In 1950, the population of Miami once again boomed as the rich Miami gambling scene as well as the city's location within easy reach of Cuba drew gamblers and gangsters there. Cuba provided the next population shift as the population of Cubans in Miami began to swell. In 1965, two 'freedom flights' per day were operating between Miami and Havana resulting in 100,000 Cubans arriving in the city. Fidel Castro allowed Cubans who wanted to leave access to the Mariel docks; the result was the largest non-military flotilla in history and 150,000 more Cubans arriving in Florida.
Racial tension quickly escalated between Miami's Cuban and African American populations causing riots and violence. May 1980 saw the worst violence when three days of riots began after an all-white jury acquitted four white police officers accused of beating a black suspect to death while he was in custody.
The other boast of Miami in the 1980s was their gateway status for drug entry and the money that came and went with those drugs. The drugs brought more violence, but the money brought renovations. Ironically, it was the combination of drugs and TV that would further transform the face of Miami.
The show Miami Vice brought the city to national attention and brought an influx of a different type of people: the rich, the famous, and the trendy. Miami was suddenly a place to be, and the city prospered.
Tourism also became an increasingly vital component of the city's economy. Today it is the third most popular destination for international travelers after New York and Los Angeles. Crime has been brought sharply under the reins with an 80% decrease between 1992 and 1998.
Today, the city is a glittering tribute to its prosperity and growth over the years. Neon highlighting accents its skyscrapers by night, and its ethnic neighborhoods give it a unique flavor. The city has particularly close ties to Latin America and the influences of the population from that area. Little Havana is a thriving Cuban district. Its subtropical climate makes Miami the perfect destination for winter tourists, and people continue to find the city a thriving paradise.
HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
Coral Castle
Featured on a variety of programs including 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not,' Coral Castle is an engineering feat of epic proportions. Created by Latvian born Ed Leedskalnin, Coral Castle was a tribute to his love Agnes Scuffs who cancelled their wedding one-day before the ceremony.
The 100 pound Ed decided to make an enduring tribute to Agnes and carved and shaped an incredible number of monuments out of staggeringly heavy coral rock. It took him 28 years to complete the castle, and he only worked when completely alone so many of the secrets of how he created and moved these monuments are still unknown.
One example of his genius and ingenuity was a 9-ton slab of coral rock used as a gate. The gate was constructed as a turnstile and designed with such precision that a child could open it with the push of a finger.
Venetian Pool
Another historic site involving the famous coral rock is the Venetian Pool in the Coral Gables neighborhood. It was formed from a coral rock quarry in 1923 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Waterfalls, coral caves, and Venetian-style grottos surround the pool.
Misccosukee Indian Village
This village is one of the few living tributes to the Seminole tribe that once inhabited the entire area. During the Seminole Wars some of the Seminoles escaped and hid in the Everglades on mangrove islands. Today the village is part of the Misccosukee Indian Reservation of the Everglades. Alligators are one of the biggest draws: you can see alligator wrestling, get your picture taken with a small alligator and meet the resident 14-foot gator at the Alligator farm. (Named Tiny of course!)
Visiting the village also gives people an unequaled opportunity to observe the local environment of the Everglades as well as the adaptations made by the tribe to live in that environment. The village has traditional chickee huts that visitors can view as well as a museum and an elevated boardwalk that allows a bird's eye view of the Everglades.
Ancient Spanish Monastery
You may think that you had stumbled across a piece of Spain if you unexpectedly encountered this monastery. You would be right! Originally constructed in Segovia Spain between 1133 and 1141, the building came to the attention of William Randolph Hearst in 1925, who decided it needed to be shipped to Miami block by block.
Sadly the blocks were wrapped in straw and foot and mouth disease broke out causing the blocks to be quarantined. The monastery was finally reconstructed in 1952 and makes an impressive sight despite the fact that they didn't get it exactly right as evidenced by the leftover blocks!
Sources:
( http://www.gocitykids.com )
(Accessed July 14, 2004)
( http://www.lonelyplanet.com )
(Accessed July 14, 2004)
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http://www.ci.miami.fl.us
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(Accessed July 19, 2004)