This episode explores the remarkable story of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, one of the crown jewels of George Merrick's visionary City Beautiful. Developed through a partnership between Merrick and John McEntee Bowman of the Biltmore Corporation, the hotel opened as a symbol of Mediterranean Revival grandeur, designed to draw visitors from around the world and define South Florida luxury in the 1920s.

The Biltmore Hotel's story is one of resilience. The institution was challenged by its inland location, and although it opened on January 15, 1926, during the peak of the building boom, it experienced economic turmoil following the bust of the building boom later that year. The hotel endured cycles of decline and renewal. Over the past century, it has served many roles, from glamorous resort to World War II Army hospital, later a VA hospital and medical school, before ultimately returning to its original purpose as a grand hotel. This episode traces the Biltmore's dramatic evolution and enduring legacy as one of South Florida's most iconic landmarks.

This podcast episode tells the story of an enduring South Florida landmark. On December 17, 2025, the Cape Florida Lighthouse marked its 200th anniversary, standing today as the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County still in its original location. Built on Key Biscayne, the lighthouse was designed to guide ships safely past the treacherous Great Florida Reef.

Over two centuries, it survived a battle during the Second Seminole War, sabotage in the Civil War, periods of abandonment and restoration, and the destructive force of Hurricane Andrew. Thanks to the dedication of Miami News editor Bill Baggs and the advocacy of the Dade Heritage Trust, this historic beacon has been preserved and was fittingly honored during its bicentennial celebration.

This podcast episode features the story of development of the Edgewater neighborhood in Miami, Florida. What was part of an area referred to as 'North Miami', best known as Miami's first saloon and red-light district, Edgewater evolved out of the city's first suburbs that were developed after the saloon district was cleared out in 1908.

When a Miami attorney turned developer began creating residential communities north of the city, one of those suburbs was called 'Edgewater' given its proximity to Biscayne Bay. After the annexation of North Miami in 1913, the neighborhood reference for the former northern suburbs was Edgewater encompassing from roughly north of the Venetian Causeway to the Julia Tuttle Causeway and east of Biscayne Boulevard.

This podcast episode explores the origins of the HistoryMiami Museum. Established in 1940 by George Merrick and several of Miami's early pioneers as the Historical Association of Southern Florida, the institution initially operated without a permanent home and relied on conducting talks and events at different locations around the Greater Miami area. Conceived as a collection-based museum, some of its earliest acquisitions were the personal recollections of the city's founding residents. Many of these stories were published in Tequesta magazine, authored by Merrick, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and other notable Miami figures.

The museum reached an important milestone with the dedication of its first building, a Beaux-Arts–style structure located in the Edgewater neighborhood. Despite the building's shortcomings, it provided the museum with space to grow and to appoint its first full-time director. In the following years, the museum relocated to the Vizcaya complex alongside the Miami Science Museum, before settling in its current home at the Dade Cultural Center in 1984.

This podcast episode explores the life and legacy of Miami pioneer architect August Geiger. Born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, Geiger first visited Miami with his family in 1899, when the city was just three years old. Captivated by the area's potential, he returned in 1905 to begin his architectural career under the mentorship of fellow pioneer Walter DeGarmo.

Geiger went on to design some of Miami's most iconic landmarks, including the Dade County Courthouse, the original city hospital known as the Alamo, the Miami Beach Municipal Golf Course clubhouse, the Miami Woman's Club, and the First Church of Christ, Scientist chapel on Biscayne Boulevard in Edgewater, and the Hindu Temple in Spring Garden. His work with the Dade County School District produced enduring educational landmarks such as Southside Elementary and Coral Way Elementary, as well as the historic Davie Schoolhouse in Broward County. Many of Geiger's designs continue to stand as lasting testaments to his talent and influence on South Florida's architectural identity.

This podcast episode explores the story of Coral Gables' theme villages, conceived at the height of the 1920s building boom. In the spring of 1925, George Merrick hired the American Building Corporation to construct 1,000 residences over ten years. The plan called for as many as 16 theme villages, each reflecting different cultural and architectural traditions.

Led by Myers Cooper of the American Building Corporation, the project got off to a strong start. Construction moved ahead of schedule, and several villages were already underway within the first year. But the South Florida land boom collapsed in the fall of 1926, bringing the rapid pace of development to a halt. By the time the boom ended, homes had been completed in 7 of the 16 planned villages, leaving Coral Gables with a distinctive and varied architectural heritage.

Resources:

• Video: "Coral Gables Unique Villages", Hank Tester, CBS Miami.
• Miami History Podcast Episode: "George Merrick & Coral Gables".

This podcast episode features the history of the City of Hialeah during its centennial. What was once swamp land became a thriving municipality during the boom years of the 1920s. Owned and then developed by a Missouri cattleman and an aviation pioneer, Hialeah quickly developed when James Bright and Glenn Curtiss established an area they named 'Hialeah' which was a native American term for high prairie.

The two men began platting subdivisions for residential housing, as well as infrastructure and establishments of entertainment to attract buyers to the western suburbs of South Florida. A dog and horse racetrack was constructed and was later expanded by millionaire Joseph Widener to provide an institution that became synonymous with the city. The Hialeah Racetrack would become a popular attraction for dignitaries and tourists while it operated conducted thoroughbred racing from the early 1930s until 2001.

This podcast episode features South Florida architect Lawrence Murray Dixon. Born in Live Oak, Florida, in 1901, and a graduate of Georgia School of Technology, aka Georgia Tech, in 1919, Dixon established his reputation in South Florida as one of the most prominent architects during the 1920s through 1940s. He was hired by Schultze and Weaver's New York office after he graduated from college but eventually moved to Miami in the mid-1920s.

By the late 1920s, Dixon changed firms and went to work for Paist and Steward where he was the associate architect for the Federal Court House and Post Office edifice which was constructed during the early 1930s. Shortly after, he formed his own architectural firm where he established his legacy as one of the most prolific and accomplished architects of the Art Deco era on Miami Beach.

This podcast episode features the story of the Village of Key Biscayne. What was once an important island for the Tequesta tribe more than 2000 years ago, Key Biscayne has become an important island in the Greater Miami area. It hosts Crandon Park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, as well as years of rich history. The village was once the home of South Florida's Crandon Park Zoo.

Ownership of the island held various stakeholders beginning with the first land grants by the King of Spain in 1760, to the Davis family from 1821 – 1885, to Field and Osborne for a coconut plantation, then to James Deering and William Matheson, both of whom had great plans for the island during their stewardship. The village's history is riddled with interesting stories, colorful characters, and disputes over land ownership.

This podcast episode features South Florida institutions and places that are celebrating their 100th birthday over the course of the next year (2025 -26). The great building boom of the 1920s peaked 100 years ago in 1925, and many of Dade County's prominent cities were founded during this time. Coral Gables, Miami Springs, Opa-locka, and Hialeah are several of these municipalities that are celebrating their centennial.

One of Miami's most prominent education institutions, University of Miami, was founded in 1925. The Venetian Pool, Biltmore, Miami News / Freedom Tower, as well as many other building boom edifices that are still standing will celebrate their 100th anniversary. Join me and Joshua Ceballos from WLRN as we discuss some of the many centennial celebrations which will be highlighted as part of WLRN's 'History We Call Home' series which will share stories of these places over the course of the next year.

Further Reading:

WLRN: "History We Call Home" - https://www.wlrn.org/century