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

This podcast episode tells the story of the Wolfson Campus at Miami Dade College. Originally established as Dade Junior College in 1960, the institution held classes wherever space was available including a local high school and other borrowed buildings. A decade later, the college began planning for its first permanent facility in downtown Miami.

The site for this new building was made possible by Mitchell Wolfson, the campus's namesake, who donated a block of land that once housed aging apartment buildings, the former Realty Board building, and the White Temple Church. With funding primarily secured through loans from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), construction was completed in 1973.

This podcast episode shares the story of the Deering family's impact on South Florida during the first half of the Twentieth Century. The family first arrived in South Florida in 1900 when the patriarch, William Deering, purchased a home in Coconut Grove. His sons, Charles and James, would follow him to the region and each of the Deerings would make a tremendous impact and contribute to the community.

James Deering purchased property in the Brickell neighborhood from Mary Brickell in 1912 and built his Vizcaya Estate. Charles Deering acquired land in today's Buena Vista and South Dade, where he constructed the 'Deering Estate'. Prior to his death, William Deering, along with William Matheson, acquired most of Key Biscayne in 1913.

This podcast episode features the life and legend of aviator Eddie Rickenbacker, nicknamed the 'Aces of Aces', based on his heroics while leading the 94th Squadron during World War I. Even as a young man, Eddie had a strong sense of adventure and even was a relief driver in the first ever Indianapolis 500, which took place in 1911.

A car man, pilot, entrepreneur and born leader are just some of the terms that best describe Eddie Rickenbacker. He went out to found a car company, that was acquired by General Motors, an airline, which later merged with Pitcairn Airlines and became Eastern Airlines, one of the largest employers in South Florida during the middle decades of the Twentieth Century.