1950 to 1959 Miami Area Historical Photos Gallery - click on image to view Photo Gallery by Don Boyd at pbase.com

1950 to 1959 Miami Area Historical Photos Gallery - click on image to view

Many of these photos are from the Florida State Archives and Miami-Dade Building & Zoning Department and all of them were cleaned up and adjusted for exposure, contrast, JPG artifacts, etc. Other photos were generously contributed by individuals such as Alvin Lederer, Martha Pierson, Rose Farrell Taylor, Jeff Levine, Steve McDonald, Cecil Curry, Ted Crownover, and Stan Meade and we thank them for sharing with us.

There are also 1950's images in the Hotels gallery, the Restaurants gallery, the Individuals/Small Groups gallery, the Attractions gallery, the Downtown gallery, the Schools gallery, etc. Please go to the main Old Miami Memories page at https://pbase.com/donboyd/memories to see these other galleries.

For those of you who are new to computing and/or surfing the internet, this is just one page of many pages of photos on this site. The home page for our Old Hialeah/Old Miami galleries is at https://pbase.com/donboyd/memories and all the oldie galleries spin off from that page. You can also click on the yellow colored >>Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries << at top of any page to get back to the main oldies page to search other galleries.

1940's - 1950's - a Dressel's Dairy Farm milk box with four Dressel's Dairy bottles	1950's - the bottom of a milk bottle from Dr. John G. DuPuis' White Belt Dairy, Miami's first dairy farm	1950's - a milk bottle from Dr. John G. DuPuis' White Belt Dairy, Miami's first dairy farm	1950's - a milk bottle from Dr. John G. DuPuis' White Belt Dairy, Miami's first dairy farm	1950 - Crowd enjoying a concert at the new Bayfront Park Bandshell in downtown Miami
1950 - Aerial view of the Miller Road to Bird Road area	1950 - the South Beach fishing pier	1951 - looking west from Alton Road and Dade Boulevard on Miami Beach	Early 1950's - Boulevard Christian Church at Biscayne Boulevard and 25th Street, Miami	1950's - the Avocado Trailer Park at 1170 NW 79th Street, Miami
1950's - the Tradewinds Trailer Park at 1921 NW 79th Street, Miami	Early 1950's - the Goodyear Blimp L-Ship Enterprise N3A on the northeast side of Watson Island	1950's - a Re-nu-art (Renuart) lumber yard somewhere in South Florida	1950's - Bayfront Park Auditorium	1951 - Replacement of the NW 36 Street Bridge over the Miami River Canal plans
1951 - Miami shoreline with Bayfront Park in the foreground	1951 - the Allan Paint and Hardware store on the southwest corner of NW 79 Street and 16 Avenue, Miami	1951 - Tony's Cleaners and Laundry, Peggy's Beauty Salon and Lena's and Flora's Florist Shop, NW 79 Street and 16 Avenue, Miami	1951 - Filers Hardware store on the southwest corner of NW 7 Avenue and 95 Street, Miami	1951 - the northwest corner of NW 7 Avenue and 95 Street, Miami
1951 - the Northwest corner of NW 7 Avenue and 95 Street, Miami	1951 - Beer bar, Mutual Financial Services, Beauty Salon and Venetian Blinds on NW 7 Avenue and 96 Street, Miami	1951 - Christmas decorations at Holsum Bakery on S. Dixie Highway and Red Road, South Miami	1952 - Burl Grey's boat at a dock at Barney's Bayshore Boat Rentals and where the Miami Herald later built on the bay	1952 - aerial view of the west end of the 79th Street Causeway in Miami, Florida
1952 - air raid siren on top of the Dade County Courthouse	1952 - closer up view of the air raid siren on top of the Dade County Courthouse	1952 - closer up view of the air raid siren on top of the Dade County Courthouse	1953 - WIOD-AM (later WCKR-AM and back to WIOD) radio broadcast towers off 79th Street Causeway	1953 - the Bell Haven Trailer Park pool featured in an ad for a trailer manufacturer, Miami (lot of comments posted below)
1954 - Aerial view of the Golden Glades Interchange looking west	1954 - Closer aerial view of the Golden Glades Interchange looking west	1954 - the Cloverleaf (Golden Glades Interchange) looking southeast at State Road 9	1954 - Matheson Hammock and the beach pavilion	1955 - Park & Shop City on NW 36th Street and 25th Avenue, Miami
1955 - Magnolia Sundries and a Mrs. Natt's Bakery truck at 14570 NW 22nd Avenue, Opa-locka, Florida	1955 - the Ainsley Building in downtown Miami	1955 - postcard of sun and surf bathing at Haulover Beach	1950's - East Coast Fisheries and the River Edge Hotel on the Miami River	1950's - R&J Electric, South Florida Insurance Agency, Lee's Beauty Salon, and Lucille Brunner Real Estate in North Miami Beach
1950's - Fishing boats and the Jungle Queen tour boat at Pier 5 downtown Miami	1950's - Peoples Bank of North Miami Beach on NE 125th Street and 12th Avenue, North Miami	1950's - Oolite Concrete Company cement truck	1950's - Matheson Hammock, Coconut Grove	1950's - the Briar Bowl Tobacconist at 108 23rd Street, Miami Beach
1950's - SausageTree planted by Mrs. Maude Black in 1907 along Ingraham Highway south of Coconut Grove	1950's - Imperial Lanes, a relatively new bowling alley on West Dixie Highway in north Dade County	1950's - Honey Hill Pharmacy at NW 2nd Avenue (State Road 7 and US 441) and Honey Hill Road (NW 199th Street)	1950's - aerial view looking northeast over downtown Miami, Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach	1950's - aerial view looking north at Sunny Isles with the famous fishing pier
1950's - apartments at the mouth of the Miami River at 401-453 Brickell Avenue, Miami	Mid 1950's - Lawn Mower Center at 1501 NW 79 Street, Miami	1950's - looking west on Flagler Street from Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami	1956 - Barfield Instruments with the National Airlines hangar in background, east of LeJeune Road at NW 29 Street	1956 - the International City Building and M&M Cafeteria on NW 36 Street, Miami Springs
1956 - church on the southwest corner of Drexel Avenue and Lincoln Road, Miami Beach	1956 - Miami City Hall at Dinner Key	1956 - Miami Marlins souvenir program	1956 - letter to Miami Marlins from Miami Mayor Randy Christmas about start of AAA baseball in Miami	1956 - meet the men behind your Miami Marlins from the souvenir program
1956 - Renpak Inc. and the Tip-Top Super Market at 27 NW 5th Street in Miami	1956 - Olympia Theatre advertisement in the Miami News for Elvis Presley shows at the theatre on Flagler Street, downtown Miami	1956 - INFORMATION NEEDED on audience members at the Elvis Presley performance at the Olympia Theatre in Miami	1956 - INFORMATION NEEDED on audience member at the Elvis Presley performance at the Olympia Theatre in Miami	1956 - INFORMATION NEEDED on audience member at the Elvis Presley performance at the Olympia Theatre in Miami
1956 - Elvis Presley wowing the audience at the Olympia Theatre on Flagler Street, Miami	1956 or 1957 - Dressel's Dairy Farm (Milam Dairy until 1941) on Milam Dairy Road west of MIA (see comments below)	1956 or 1957 - The western portion of Miami International Airport, Dressel's Dairy Farm and undeveloped land	1956 or 1957 - The western portion of Miami International Airport, Dressel's Dairy Farm and undeveloped land	1956 or 1957 - Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens, Dressel's Dairy Farm and land west of Miami International Airport
1956 or 1957 - Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens, Dressel's Dairy Farm and land west of Miami International Airport	1956 or 1957 - Miami Springs, Virginia Gardens (upper left) and land west of Miami International Airport	1950's - Dressel's Dairy Farm quart milk bottle	1957 - brochure promoting the new Florida East Coast Railway's North Miami station	1957 - Downtown Miami Skyline
1957 - the treeless barren Isla-Gold Trailer Park and Motel on US 1 in Naranja	1957 - Aerial view of Bird Road and SW 117 Avenue area	1957 - Bird Road in the middle, viewed to the east, SW Dade County	1957 - U-toTe'm convenience store at NW 103 Street and 12 Avenue, Miami	1958 - The Miami News building on NW 7th Street
1957 - Carol City Town Hall	1957 - letter from Desser & Garfield, owners and developers of Carol City in northwest Dade County	1957 - Ferrara's Spic 'n Span Quick Service Laundry at 8512 NW 7th Avenue, Miami	1957 - Walgreens on A1A in Sunny Isles with the Gould Motel in the background	1957 - Gusar Drug store on Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles
1957 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limo with Hopkins-Carter Marine Supply in the background	1957 - looking north on Biscayne Boulevard with the Miami News Tower, Bayfront Auditorium and Port of Miami visible	1958 - aerial view of South Miami Heights, Cutler Ridge, Perrine, in Dade County, Florida	1958 - aerial view of South Miami Heights, Cutler Ridge, Perrine, in Dade County, Florida (close up)	1958 - the Little River Bank and Trust on NE 2nd Avenue, Little River
1958 - Bishops leaving St. Mary's Cathedral during Bishop Coleman F. Carroll's installation to lead the new Diocese of Miami	1959 - Miami Herald relocation plans	1959 - Lindsley Lumber on NW 7th Avenue and about 128th Street, just south of Food Fair, North Miami	1959 - 1st issue of the VOICE, serving the Catholic Diocese of Miami covering 16 counties of South Florida	1959 - Lindsley Lumber somewhere in South Florida
1959 - the Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables	1959 - Allied-Knox Signs on NW 54 Street, Miami	Late 1950s - Highlander Homes in the Norwood section of North Dade County	1959 - 21101 to 21105 S. Federal Highway, Miami	1959 - the Florida East Coast Railway Station in North Miami
1959 - FEC train boarding passengers at the North Miami station	1959 - Emerald Lake	1950's - WTVJ Channel 4 ad for "Tumbleweed" package of western shows from 5:30pm to 6:15pm Monday through Friday	1950's - looking west towards Miami on the 79th Street Causeway	1950's - Peoples National Bank of Miami Shores at 95th Street and NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores
1950's/60's - Stanley's Cash Store	Late 1950's - McBride-Bennett-Ulm Funeral Home at 15201 N. W. 7th Avenue, Miami	Late 1950's - Biscuits by Keebler at 1290 NW 74th Street, Miami	Late 1950's - aerial photo of 17th Street and the ocean on Miami Beach	Late 1950's - aerial photo of 21st Street and the ocean on Miami Beach
Late 1950's - Tarasch Pharmacy, an AG store, a 5&10, and others at the NE corner of NE 163rd Street and West Dixie Highway, NMB	Late 1950's - Leander's Goodyear tire store somewhere in Dade County

comment |

Guest		29-Sep-2021 13:07
My Great Grandfather worked at a gas station. Not sure which one. I was told he was murdered with an icepick. I am trying to find the story behind this or were this was. I have a letter 2377 n west but cannot make out the rest any help would be appreciated!!! He passed away in 1956 Oscar Kistler??? If anyone knows Queenbarbb@aol.com would be helpful!!!

Guest		23-Feb-2021 02:12
I only remember them walking

Guest		01-Feb-2021 21:35
Does anyone remember if Uncle Thad's pony rides made the ponies run not walk?

Alan Sylvester		22-Dec-2020 16:36
Miami Lincoln Mercury was located on SE 2nd ave (west side) just north of the river. I used to live at 10th and brickell and knew a salesman that worked there. Mart. Gary 12/22/2020

Trey Miller		24-Sep-2020 17:58
Does anyone know where the Miami Lincoln Mercury dealership was located in 1956?

Guest		30-Apr-2020 18:06
Car & vwtruck crash 1959

Guest		20-Aug-2019 17:30
The Coliseum plot on Douglas Rd is now a Publix and Bank

Guest		21-Jun-2019 03:48
Anyone have any photos of the Coral Gables Coliseum? I lived on SW 16th St. less than a block from there (Douglas Rd). It was a basketball arena (saw the Globetrotters there), later a skating rink, then a bowling alley, then who knows what else.

Guest		21-Jun-2019 03:46
In the early 1950s, there were several appliance dealers that were called tire stores. Anyone remember those and why they were called tire stores?

Lanny Hoskins		30-Aug-2018 21:01
My family moved to Miami from Van Nuys, Ca in 1956, and we at first lived in a house that was within walking distance of Tropical Park Race Track. I was only about 7 years old at the time and a memory that is still vivid to me today is seeing then Presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson waving to a crowd I was in along Collins Ave. in Miami Beach while he was sitting in a convertible. Why I recall that I have no idea. My father was the manager of the Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Coral Gables, Fl at the time.

Guest		18-Jun-2018 21:58
I was born in 1952 in Coral Gables, but was raised in N. Miami Beach until 1962. My grandmother was the principal at Greynolds Park Elementary. A few memories are the rides at the 163rd St. Shopping Center, eating at the M&M cafeteria, the beach, pony rides, the carpet of crabs on the road to a nearby drive-in (?) Mom played in an all girls band at the Fountainebleau and Eden Roc where my sister and I got to take swimming lessons from a life guard. The big treat of going to Howard Johnson's for a dish of ice cream. We were so easily amused back then. Feeling nostalgic today for those times....

Guest		02-Feb-2018 20:22
There was a children's show on WTVJ before Skipper Chuck had his. I think Alec Gibson hosted it. I was on the show in 1950 because I had my ninth birthday that week. If there is anyone out there who went to Coral Gables Elementary around 1950, do you remember Mrs. Hawkins, a wonderful third grade teacher? I was in Mrs. Dillard's 2nd grade class, Mrs. Jarrell's 4th grade class, and Miss Shelby's 5th grade class. Why I remember those teachers' names, I don't know. Somehow they stuck with me.

Guest		22-Jun-2017 01:51
To "guest", the kids show was called Skipper Chuck's Popeye Playhouse and the skipper was Chuck Zinc. I was on the show in the mid sixties.

Linda		25-May-2017 23:01
I was born in Miami in 1943, my family pioneered Miami and my Grandfather was a Miami police officer in Bayfront Park. I attended almost every show Cracker Jim used to put on at Miami Dade auditorium but have never seen any pictures from any of those shows and I was usually on front row

TIM		21-Mar-2017 01:06
Was that kid's TV show SKIPPER CHUCK'S? My sister was on it around 1962. I remember live parrots iand plants n the lobby of the Caribbean or was it Flamingo movie theater on Lincoln Road just above Collins Ave. Me: Born at St. Francis Hospital on Miami Beach, 1955. Attended St. Pat's School and Mrs. Dee's kindergarten.

dianne glick		14-Jan-2017 19:20
What was the name of the Children's Cardiac Hospital located where the FPL bldg. on Lejeune is now. It was there at least during the 1950's. Any pics?

stephen i levine		24-Sep-2016 13:39
Was it Kantor's cash and carry near Jackson Hospital??

Guest		05-Sep-2016 18:02
There was a kids' program on WTVJ in the early 1950s. If you had a birthday in that week, you could be on the show. Alas, I forgot the name of the show and the host (might have been Alec Gibson).

michael kogan		01-Jan-2016 09:52
I lived two blocks south of 41st Street Miami Beach from the mid-40s to late the 50's. Have you a name for the cafeteria located on 41st Street from that era? The last time I drove by there, I saw a big hardware store in their former location.

Guest		30-Sep-2015 08:21
I grew up in the 50's in North Miami and later Miami Beach. I use to ride my bike to motel row near the Rascal House.yummy. My Dad played at the Fountainbleau Hotel in a group called the Beachcombers. Sure miss the shuffleboard and the hot summers playing baseball in the school yard. Peace.....

Loretta Sheehy Doles		07-Apr-2015 18:05
South West Senior High 8855 SW 50th Terrace Blue Lake is where we swam, when it was a rock-pit :) I found the school photo post card on here :) Thanks for his site :)

Loretta Sheehy Doles		07-Apr-2015 17:50
I went to Olympia Heights High School in SW Miami in 1956 and I can't find anything on it. The "rock pit" I swam in is now a lake. I lived in the "projects" near the school. I remember seeing "Arsenic & Old Lace" at our School theater :)

Guest		17-Oct-2014 21:49
Can anyone tell me which hospital in Dade county that burned down in the late 60's? back tracking on place of birth 8-13-1954. please e-mail me at e.wassenberg@comcast.net Thank you for any help you can give me. Ellen

Guest		16-Aug-2014 21:54
Has anyone heard Ardmore Studios on Miami Beach? Please email at hwyuomy@gmail.com. Thank you.

Guest		16-Aug-2014 21:53
Has anyone heard of Admore Studios at 738 W 41st Street on Miami Beach? If so, please contact me by my gmail account: hwyuomy@gmail.com. Thank you.

Guest		12-Jul-2014 19:36
was born in Miami and lived in Hialeah and Virginia Gardens - family moved to North Carolina in 1959. I attended First Baptist Church Hialeah from about 1950 till 1959. Wondering if any folks from the Church are still around. Guest

Kathy Spanos		17-Apr-2014 17:53
Does anyone remember Geno's located at 314 8th Ave in Palmetto in the 1950's-1960's? I would like to contact any family member of the owner Geno Irwin. Are they still in the Palmetto area?

Joe Maiz		15-Nov-2013 23:49
The Americana Hotel on Collins Ave in North Miami Beach...was one of the most famous of hotels in Miami and yet no picture of the hotel that was a favorite of politicians and personalities. JFK stayed here shortly before his assasination in Dallas, Texas.

Frankie		05-Apr-2013 02:59
I remember Dressels Dairy on Milam Dairy Road jst west of the airport. Use to buy ice cream and ride the ponies at the Uncle Thad's pony ring.

Guest		17-Oct-2012 21:51
Anyone remember or have pictures of the Farmers Market, don't remember address but not far from the baseball stadium, train station...M-M

mike		12-Aug-2012 12:53
looking for old photo of stiltsville.... mike

Gilbert		12-Aug-2012 02:19
What was the name of the italian resturant on the corner of NW 27th ave & 7th st.?

Ron Lohr		02-Jul-2012 01:17
Vince,you lived just a few blocks north of me.I use to sneak into that 27 ave.drive in.I lived in the Palm Lake trailer park on N.W.27 ave and 79 st.It was 1948-1950,would love if someone had pictures of that trailer park.It had a small lake with a wooden bridge across it.We use to catch small brim (fish)

Guest		16-Jun-2012 23:08
The name of the kids show that you sat on the bleachers was Popeye's Playhouse with Skipper Chuck (Chuck Zink).

Vince Carlisle		11-May-2012 00:21
These pix are great, I moved to Miami in 1950 and was there until 1970 except for my service stint (USAF) from late 56 to early 61. In 1955, I lived at the end of a street that backed the 27th Avenue Drive In theater where we were given a speaker setup as compensation for people parking and watching the movie??? thru the chainlink fence. Also, 27th ave and NW 79th street, a half block over on 27th ave was an amusement park. Great memories for a 72 year old duffer. Lotsa love all.

Guest		14-Apr-2012 07:44
What was the name of the children's TV show that we got to attend and sit on the bleachers? Was it Howdy Doody? Diana Lee DianaLeeLtd@aol

Guest		14-Apr-2012 07:35
I lived in Miami and Hialeah form 1952-1959. I need to find a photographer who took my portrait in his/her studio in the Miami-Hialeah area. I am seated between two large plate glass mirrors that are set at a 90 degree angle that reflect my L&R profile front and back so that it appears like there are 4 of me. A ceiling light shines down that gives a religious aura to the photo. If anyone knows which photographer used that set would you please contact me at DianaLeeLtd@aol.com or 970.667.7460? I am Diana Lee (Dorris) I will appreciate your help! :-)

Don Boyd		01-May-2011 13:25
Elyne: there's a photo of the Coliseum at: http://www.pbase.com/image/132460966 and another at: http://www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/132463848 - both in the 40's gallery. There's another one athttp://www.pbase.com/image/97585366 in the 30's gallery. Don

Elyne		01-May-2011 04:20
Maybe I missed it... Does anyone remember the Coliseum on Douglas Road? First it was an ice skating rink, then roller skating, then back to ice skating... People would ask us how someone living in Miami could ice skate.... We could.... by gosh.

Don Boyd		16-Apr-2011 03:39
Thanks Bob, it was correct under the first photo but not the latter two. It's been fixed. Don

Bob Sara		15-Apr-2011 19:40
Don, the Miami Stadium was not located at 600 NW 7 Ave. That is to far south. It was located around NW 23 St and 7 Ave, accross from the old Home Milk and later Mac Arthur Dairy.

Guest		03-Feb-2011 14:30
The church at the corner of Lincoln and Drexel, Miami Beach, is the Miami Beach Community Church. R. Wiley Scott was pastor during my time. Here's a link to a history with a nice old photo.

Rose		05-Nov-2010 18:14
I remember my mother, sister and brother and myself taking 3 buses to downtown Miami and eating lunch in the dime store, can't recall the name. Thanks for sharing pictures, they brought back a lot of happy memories. I graduated from Miami Edison in '57.

Guest		31-Aug-2010 13:48
My father worked at Dressels Dairy. We originally lived on NW 35th Street and 2nd Avenue but later moved to Westwood Lake on a canal leading to the south lake. I graduated from SW Miami High School and so did my brother. My mother went to Edison High School. I remember a lot of these pictures. Ann Hopewell

Guest		26-Jul-2010 17:50
Sandy Evans There was a pony ride on Biscayne Blvd, near the Miami Hearld Bldg. I used to pick up my Dad, who worked for Fla. East Coast RR at the No. Miami station when he would come in from working in Ft. Pierce during the FEC strike. Thanks for the memories.

joseantonio		11-May-2010 01:35
Exceptional pictorial report

Jeff		19-Sep-2009 04:34
Betty... Pfleuger's Field was named for the property once owned by the late Al Pfleuger - a taxidermist whose home and studio once occupied that space on NE 159th Street and NE 6th Avenue. Kids used to ride dirt bikes there in the 1960's. In the mid-1970's, the county purchased the land and turned it into Oak Grove Park. There's a high possibility that cows once grazed on the land where the 163rd Street Shopping Center was built in 1955, for I remeber speaking with somone whose father once owned the property, and I vaguely recall her mentioning a small farm there...

Robbin P. Learned		18-Sep-2009 18:19
Great Gallery Of Photos, Don !!!!!!! Thanks , For Posting Them. Great Memories !!!!! When I was A Small Kid, in East Hialeah, My Parents Always Went To That Venetian Blind Place, Near N. W. 95th Street, and I was a Little Kid, in The Car. I used to Go up on The Roof, at Burdines onThe Rides, when I was Small, in The Early 50's. Best Regards !!!!! Robbin.

Lynn		24-Aug-2009 18:00
I remember when US 1 was lined with Banyon trees and we spent our summers swimming at Venetian pool. Lejune road heading east roward Matheson Hammock was lined with those old shanties. I hope I am remembering correctly. When you get to be my age it sometimes is fuzzy.

Lynn Bunnagar		24-Aug-2009 17:52
This brings back fond memories. We moved to Coral Gables in 1955 and I remember almost all these places.

L. Bunnagar		24-Aug-2009 16:59
In 1955, U. S. #1 was. two-lane, concrete slabs from the Miami River drawbridge to Homestead. The tires went bumpeta, bumpeta, bumpeta bumpeta for twenty miles. Jimmy's Hurricane drive-in was on the corner of Bird Rd(S.W. 40th St.) and Douglas Ave(S.W. 37th Ave.). There was a railroad gate, on Lejeune road, just below N.W. 36th St. that would lower to allow National Airlines planes to taxi across Lejeune to the runway and vice-versa before National became the George T. Baker Aviation School.

Ron Horton		03-Jun-2009 14:38
Some kind of fun. I moved to Miami in 1955. Shell City was my Mom's favorite luxury store. I still remember what the inside looked like. Cutler Ridge sure was small then. Thanks for the memories. Ron Horton, Portland, OR

betty		28-May-2009 19:07
Does anyone know the story behind Flugers Field in North Miami Beach? Also does anyone know if there were cows in a field where 163rd st Mall is? I spent the first year of my life in a trailor park at Haulover Beach. The Hen Castle, somewhere downtown, and early history of Sunny Isles. Are there any pictures or material on these places?

K Martin		06-Mar-2009 18:47
I'm probably not as old as some of you who grew up in Miami but I do remember what I thought was the old burdines in downtown Miami and going to the top floor to see santa clause and also to the roof where they used to have some rides set up. These picture are wonderful memories for me as I also remember wandering the sears store in downtown Miami across the street from where an aunt used to live in an apartment bldg and as coincidence would have it, my grandmother moved right behind the Burdines store at 163 st shopping center in the mid 70's to some townhouses that had just been built. Great pics of old S. Florida. God i miss some of the times I used to have and places we used to go. I'm sure it's nowhere near the same any more...back then was such an innocent time

Mike Tripp		11-Jan-2009 18:20
Phyllis - My dad built the first house on SW 4th St. west of 38th Ct. in '40. At that time, 4th did not go thru to Lejuene Rd. We used to swipe fruit from Floyd's Fruit Grove. This Site brings back many fond memories... Mike

Mike Tripp		11-Jan-2009 17:33
Phyllis - My dad built the first house on SW 4th St. west of 38th Ct. in '40. At that time, 4th did not go thru to Lejuene Rd. We used to swipe fruit from Floyd's Fruit Grove. This Site brings back many fond memories... Mike

Guest		09-Jan-2009 06:02
There was a Botanical Garden and Fruit Grove called Floydds or Loydds Fruit Grove on LeJuene Rd and SW 5th Street in 1950's. Does anyone remember that or have a post card? They used to have busloads of tourists come for a "Nature Tour" , sample fresh squeezed orange juice and to purchase citrus fruit. I used to play touch football in the back gardens with the owners son using grapefruits instead of footballs. Phylllis

John Olson		11-Dec-2008 21:53
Hi I stayed at the Sagamore in 1952 on the way to Cuba. I remember a mini golf next door. I went up and down Collins Ave. collecting road maps which was my thing then. Also remember Pickin Chicken there and in Cuba. I am looking for pics of Collins Ave in the early 50s. These are wonderful pics. Thanks.

Dr. fred L. Robson		06-Aug-2008 01:45
Lived in Miami from 1941 to '47 and again from '50 to '54 (Edison Class of '54) when I went off to G'ville. What a wonderful place to grow up! Two bus tokens and 25 cents would take me to the Flagler Theater (9 cents!) for a Sat. western double feature, newsreel, cartoon(s), a comedy - Three Stooges comes to mind - and a serial. Also included popcorn with money left over. At 9 and 10 years old, I wandered all over the city with no qualms from my ultra cautious Mom. Been back numerous times, the latest being July '08, but each time feel more and more of an outsider. Thomas Wolfe was indeed correct - you can't go home again.

Wilson Wright		17-Jul-2008 02:21
The name that comes to my mind on WTVJ was Ralph Renick. His Sister-in-law Babs Henry Collar went to Edison with us and I think graduted in 1947.

Trudy Kline Roth		10-Jun-2008 02:06
I'm trying to find old photos of the section of Miami that went from 7th ave NW to about 2nd Ave NW between 20th St and Flagler. I am doing a research project and can use any/all information about this area. Until about 1960 it was called "Colored Town" then changed to Overtown. My name is Trudy Kline Roth e-mail trudellen@yahoo.com

Don Boyd		09-Dec-2007 02:02
Those are really great memories, Ann. Thank you very much for posting them. Please feel free to add more when you think of some more. Don

ann lederman		08-Dec-2007 18:02
Hi, I worked at Burdine's from 1949 till 1953 as an elevator starter. We had to wear costumes and model clothing in the tea room at lunch time. I also rode the baby elephant on the roof of Burdine's and was in the Christmas Parade evey year riding the elephant!! He was very gentle and well taken care of. After that in 1959 till 1963, I worked in the Cariage Club Beauty Salon. Art Bruns did not own the Miami Springs Villas, he was the General Manager. Percy Gardiner, from Toronto Canada and his son George owned the whole thing. George Gardiner was one of the "Silver Seven" men who owned the Toronto Mapleleafs Hockey Team. I met many celebrities there, including Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Don Drysdale, and other baseball players. Also Michael Landon, Hoss, and I dated Lorne Greene for about ten months, until he wanted me to move to Lake Tahoe, but I didn't know anyone there and was a little apprehensive. I did his other's hair for a while, she lived at the Morton Towers in Miami Beach. We had a great time at the Villas and I will never forget it!! Ann (Waybright) Lederman

miamigrl		25-Nov-2007 00:38
To Arizona Al: Just left another comment under the picture, then found this last one of yours, you ARE in the '63 Palm Echo (when you were a Junior) - check it out on page 132. Love these memories!!

Guest		23-Nov-2007 19:29
To miamigirl: What an amazing small world. Both of us in Mrs. Bush's 6th grade class at Cutler Ridge Elementary 1958!! You can not find me in the 1963 Palmetto Year Book because I graduated in 1964:). In the 6th grade photo I am sitting on the left side one row from the windows behind a guy in a white shirt (Bobby Houpt) and a guy in a striped shirt (Dennis "Duke" Oyler) and next to the guy in a striped tee shirt(Bruce Clemmer). Alan Ogus, Ph.D. Ridge Rat Emeritus, Alive and very well in Phoenix, Arizona

Phil Fortman		14-Oct-2007 03:56
Manocarz: Yes, I have the book and am sitting with it on my lap open to the pages your reference as I type this response. Thank you, I missed that detail. My family moved to Miami in 1950 when I was about 6 years old arriving in a Ford that looked like one of those in the foreground of the photo. Do you know the whereabouts of more photos of Pier 5? I saw the 2 here. I remember going out fishing on a charter boat called The Prowler captained by (I think) Chris Christiansen. Tourists and locals alike would crowd the dock in the late weekend afternoons to see and buy fish as the boats returned.

Tom Burr		10-Oct-2007 13:19
Love the photos. I lived on Key Biscayne from 59-61 and these bring back a lot of memories. Keep up the great work.

Guest		10-Oct-2007 01:30
Phil: Thre is a great coffee table type picture book by Arva Parks Moore and Carolyn Klepser titled: "Miami Then and Now." Copyright 2002. My brother gave a copy to me as a gift last year. All throughout the book there is an old black & white photo of a old spot in Miami on the left page and a current color photo of the same place on the right hand page. Pages 38 & 39 answer your question about the boat on land at Bayfront. It indicates that the 241 foot "Prins Valdemar" was in place on the northern edge of Bayfront from 1926 to 1952. It was both an aquarium and a restaurant. If you can get ahold of the book it has numerous before and after shots with short paragraphs of details. You will not be dissappointed.

Phil Fortman		08-Oct-2007 01:38
I found your land-locked ship photo in the gallery of the previous decade: 1930 to 1949 titled: the Miami Aquarium onboard Prins Valdemar in Bayfront Park. Was the restaurant I remember a late change for this early landmark or was I mistaken? I am really enjoying browsing your galleries. Thank you for your contribution to South Florida history.

Phil Fortman		07-Oct-2007 23:36
About 1950, I remember a large steel hull schooner on the shoreline just north of the Bayfront Park area. I think it had been pushed ashore by a storm some years earlier, but had been converted to a seafood restaurant. "The Seven Seas" come to mind, but not sure if that was the name. The ship sure impressed me as kid. Also the "Light House Restaurant" on the north side of Haulover Cut where the waiters would net your choice of the fresh catch of the day out of large concrete holding tanks in the restaurant.

Guest		03-Oct-2007 15:08
I sure hope Jef Levine comes up with some more photo's. They are all GREAT!!!! Thanks to Jeff and to Don for posting them.

Guest		15-Aug-2007 20:10
Guest Jack I was Forest Ranger Supervisor for the Division of Forestry in Dade County in the late 60's. I enjoyed calling Channel 10's Walt Chronice for advise on the weather. He was most congenial and informative, and never refused a call. Great memories!

Peter Tyson		15-Aug-2007 12:51
They used to have a Ferris Wheel on the top of Burdines at Christmas time and the walkway across to the second building was decorated with lights. I got autographs one Christmas from Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, and Pernell Roberts (Bonanza stars). PT

Susan McCleskey		30-Jul-2007 19:16
What an AWESOME web site!! I, too, remember the rides and cotton candy atop Burdine's at Christmas time!! I graduated from Miami High in 1959---what memories!! Thanks again, ever so much!!

BERNA NITZBERG		17-Jul-2007 17:12
I remember the cotton candy at Burdine-s on the roof at Christmas time...

Jeff		14-Jul-2007 02:46
Walter Cronise was the waethermanon Channel 10 in the 70's and 80's. Neil Frank ws the head of the Hurricane Center...

Verna (Braddock) Campbell		13-Jul-2007 19:19
Gordon Dunn was one of the Weather men. I knew his daughter-in-law, Mary Dunn, that lived in Westwood Lake. Her kids went to Westwood Christian School where I drove a school bus for seven years. Back then I was Verna Jackson.

Dave		05-Jul-2007 21:42
Do you mean Weaver the Weatherman? He was on WTVJ forever. He passed away in 2006

guest Joni		04-Jul-2007 19:48
Who was the weatherman I think on Channel 10 in the 60's 70's?....He wore a bowtie everyday and had curlie hair and has there forever? Was it Walter Chronice? Also a man that worked with the Hurricane Bureau....before Bob Sheets? Can name a few but not that one....Enjoying your wonderful site....Love the walk down Memory Lane.

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