For more than seventy-five years, Puerto Ricans have relocated to Miami in phases. Places like Brickell, Wynwood and the Redlands saw significant settlements of Puerto Rican families as part of several waves of migration. In the mid-1940s, some of the wealthier families purchased mansions along Brickell Avenue to form the first "Little San Juan". A decade later, a migration of working-class Boricuas settled in Wynwood, shifting the designation of "Little San Juan" to that quarter. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear more about Puerto Rican migration to and settlements in Miami. Author Dr. Victor Vazquez discusses his book "Boricuas in the Magic City" and the history of Puerto Rican history and influence in South Florida. This podcast episode is available on this page, as well as, on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud and Spotify. Event: https://miami-history.com/calendar/book-signing-boricuas-in-the-magic-city/

This podcast episode discusses Miami's great building boom of the 1920s. The state of Florida attracted a lot of capital for real estate speculation during the roaring twenties and South Florida was the epicenter of this investment activity. While the boom peaked in the mid-1920s, the progression toward this crescendo began in latter part of the 1910s and early 1920s. It was decade when Miami evolved from a quiescent small southern city into one of the fastest growing metropolises in the country. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear more about the stories and milestones of Miami's great building boom. As we reflect on Miami's growth spurt of a hundred years ago, the development of the Magic City during this era provided a lasting imprint on the Miami of today.

The name Brickell has become synonymous with the upscale financial district located on the southside of the Miami River. However, long before the name became a brand for an important quarter near downtown Miami, it was the surname of a prominent family that settled southside when the area was a sparsely populated outpost and long before it became what it is today. Those who are familiar with the story of the Brickell family may know their role in the formation of the city of Miami but may not be familiar with their story prior to arriving in Miami. It was a serendipitous journey to Australia that led William Brickell into great wealth, but also led him to find his wife. While Mary and Bill Brickell met and married in Australia, it was ultimately their journey to the wilderness along the Miami River that cast the family in a leading role in the formation of the Magic City.

This podcast episode describes the transformation of the greater Miami area after the United States entered World War II. The area became the training facility for the armed forces. Downtown Miami was converted into the southern command and training facility for the Navy, and Miami Beach became the training grounds for the Army Air Corp. The focus of the entire metropolitan area was the war effort. Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

The conclusion of World War II marked a time period of hope and change for America. The return of soldiers from fighting in two theaters of war triggered rapid change throughout the country, but particularly in South Florida. That was especially true for the Wynwood neighborhood, located in the heart of the City of Miami. When the Martinez family relocated to Wynwood in 1945, it began a trend that transformed the neighborhood. Other Puerto Rican families began to identify Wynwood as a place to build a common bond based on similar customs and culture. In this episode of the Miami History Podcast, David Martinez shares his memories of living in Miami during his formative years. This is the story of Little San Juan in the Wynwood neighborhood from 1945 – 1957. Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

When Hugh Robinson met Glenn Curtiss, it was more than just a chance meeting. It was the beginning of a friendship and partnership that had a lasting impact on early aviation. Curtiss was the visionary and Robinson was the engineer who brought Curtiss' vision to life. The innovations and advancements made by these two men were consequential and lasting. In addition to their contributions to aviation, both men contributed to the development of South Florida as well. Curtiss was a very wealthy man when he arrived in South Florida and co-founded the cities of Miami Springs, Hialeah and Opa Locka. Robinson joined Curtiss the in the creation and development of the city of Opa Locka. Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Platted in 1911 and incorporated in 1921, the town of Silver Bluff was independent for a short period of time. It was one of several municipalities that was annexed by the city of Miami in 1925. Nestled between the Miami's original southern boundary and the town of Coconut Grove, Silver Bluff was named for the bluff, located along the eastern edge of the quarter, that appears silver when touched by morning sunlight. Although the community was split on the decision to become part of the city of Miami in 1925, it has maintained a character all its own since the annexation. It is still a single-family residential community and hopes to maintain its charm from its days as a town (1921 – 1925). Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Coral Gables was more than just a master planned development erected during the building boom of the 1920s, it was where its founder, George Merrick, found the perfect intersection of poetry and progress. Merrick was both a pragmatist and a dreamer. He studied the City Beautiful movement very closely to the point where he envisioned Coral Gables before the first shovel was planted in the ground of the family plantation. He even nicknamed his new municipality "The City Beautiful" after the movement he studied. George was an eternal optimist who was not deterred after the devastation of the 1926 Hurricane. While this great storm may have ended the dreams of many of the land speculators who converged on Miami in the 1920s, Merrick kept building. However, he wasn't able to overcome the setback presented by the stock market crash of 1929. Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

As Miami prepares to host Super Bowl LIV, this podcast episode will reflect on the ten prior Super Bowls played in Miami. While this year's Super Bowl will be the sixth hosted at Joe Robbie, now called Hard Rock, stadium, five of the first ten Super Bowls were played at the iconic Orange Bowl. The games featured a repeat champion, an unlikely upset, a last-minute victory and a rematch of two storied franchises. Once the Super Bowl moved to Miami Gardens for the next five games hosted in South Florida, there were plenty of intriguing story lines that surrounded the games. One of the Super Bowl LIV opponents, the San Francisco 49ers, were featured in the first two games hosted at Joe Robbie Stadium. The third championship hosted in Miami Gardens featured a story book ending to a Hall of Fame career for John Elway. The last two contests pitted Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints respectively. Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com

Once part of Coconut Grove's Millionaire Row, El Jardin was originally the home of Pittsburgh industrialist John Bindley. The mansion was later used as a corporate retreat for the Cities Services Corporation, later renamed Citgo, and then finally the campus of the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart beginning in 1961. The residence was designed by renowned architect Pittsburgh-based Richard Kiehnel, principal of the firm Kiehnel and Elliott. Tune into this week's podcast episode to hear more about EL Jardin and the Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Below are additional resources and articles that tell the story of El Jardin and its different uses from its construction in 1918 until present day. Miami History Blog: www.miami-history.com Miami History Channel: www.miamihistorychannel.com