Miami, location of the hit TV series “Burn Notice”. And why shouldn’t it be? Since the 1980’s when “Miami Vice” stormed our living rooms, the city has been known for its exciting and exotic jet-setting locales. But beyond the bikinis and fast boats lies a city with a unique history all its own. All one need do is look and they will find a multitude of historic sites and buildings. From race tracks, to mansions worthy of “Scarface”, to even a 900 year old monastery, Miami is a city that has something for everybody.
Cape Florida Light
There are few buildings as immediately iconic as a lighthouse. This one, located at the south of Key Biscayne has a very colorful history, the most exciting being the attack it endured during the Seminole wars. On July 23, 1836 the lighthouse was attacked by a band of Seminole Indians. Guarding the lighthouse were only two men. John W. B. Thompson, the assistant keeper, and Aaron Carter, an African-American assistant. The two barely made it inside the lighthouse at the beginning of the attack. A firefight ensured, the light house was burned, and only John W. B. Thompson made it out alive. Today, the lighthouse still functions and is part of the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Freedom Tower
photo credit:?leoncillo sabino
An icon of the Miami skyline, Freedom tower was completed in 1925 as the original headquarters of the Miami News & Metropolis newspaper. When the newspaper moved to a new facility in 1957, the tower would pass through a number of hands. In the 1960’s, the government would use the building to house the facilities necessary for processing the multitude of refugees fleeing from communist Cuba. Afterwards, the buildings would ultimately be restored and is now utilized as a museum and memorial to the refugees. Today, it is owned by Miami-Dade College, who continue to maintain the beautiful tower and host exhibits within its museum.
Fort Dallas
This fort, named after Commodore Alexander James Dallas, was established in 1836 as a United States military post. During this period, Florida was in the midst of the Seminole Wars, a conflict against the native Indian population. After the American Civil War, the fort was officially abandoned. The new owner, William H. English, established a small village at the site, called Miami. The property exchanged hands several times, finally ending up in the hands of Julia Tuttle who brought her family to live there in 1891. Julia Tuttle would play a key role in attracting a railroad to the area, which would ultimately result in the establishment of the city of Miami. Today, there is little left of the actual fort beyond a sign and a location.
Hialeah Park Race Track
Hialeah Race Track via Wikipedia
A famous Miami landmark that is now reopening. Hialeah Park was originally opened in 1922 as a track for greyhounds, but within a few short years it would be expanded to host horse races as well. The lake built in the infield would be stocked with Flamingos and eventually be recognized as an actual Flamingo sanctuary by the Audubon Society. The racetrack shut down in 2001, but is now undergoing a heavy restoration and will be fully reopened in 2009.
The Cloisters of the Ancient Spanish Monastery
Monastery of St. Bernard via Wikipedia
From 1133 to 1144 the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux was built in Sacramenia, in the Province of Sagovia, Spain. The monastery was then used by the monks for almost 700 years until it was finally converted into a granary and stable in the 19th century. In 1925 William Randolph Hearst purchased the cloisters and the monastery’s out-buildings, had them dismantled, packed, and then shipped to the United States in approximately 11,000 crates. Soon after their arrival, Hearst’s financial problems forced him to sell off most of his collections. The cloisters would remain boxed up in a warehouse in New York City for almost three decades. The blocks were finally purchased as a tourist attraction and reassembled in Miami at a cost of $1.5 million. Today, the cloisters can finally be found at the St. Bernard de Clairvaux Episcopal Church.
Villa Vizcaya
photo credit: leoncillo sabino
Between 1914 to 1916 the Villa Vizcaya was built on an estate of 180 acres. Throughout the early twenties a small village would also be built to support the grounds. The home was designed for James Deering, an agriculture industrialist. Deering would use the home until his death in 1925. Beginning in 1945, Deering’s heirs would donate all but 50 acres of the property to the Archdiocese of St. Augustine. Eventually the remaining 50 acres and the home itself would be conveyed to Miami-Dade county. The home was opened to the public in 1953 and today is known as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
The Barnacle
Located in Barnacle Historic State Park, The Barnacle was home to Ralph Middleton Munroe, one of the founders of Coconut Grove. He was also a founder of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. So why is his home on this list?? Because it is the oldest house that can still be found in its original location in all of Miami-Dade County. The home was given its nickname “The Barnacle” by Middleton Munroe, because of the octagonal shape of its center room. Middleton Monroe was a naturalist, and this can be seen throughout the five acre park surrounding his home. Tropical hardwood trees abound and the area is quite beautiful.
When a city is so exotic, so beautiful and feels so new, it is easy to forget that it has a history. Miami also has a strong historic tie to a much more down to earth city. Coincidentally, the three individuals most credited with creating Miami, landowners Julia Tuttle and William Brickell, along with Henry M. Flagler, were all originally from Cleveland, Ohio. Regardless of its humble origins, though, Miami has bloomed into one of the most exotic and one of a kind cities the United States has to offer.
