Miami Beach in 1920 prior to being developed 

Believe it or not, the history of Miami Beach dates back earlier than that of mainland Miami. While the City of Miami was established in 1896, the first building appeared in Miami Beach in 1876. It was a refuge that provided food, water, and a temporary place to stay for sailors who had shipwrecked off the Florida coast.

For a long time, Miami Beach remained an agricultural area, unrecognizable to those used to its glamorous beaches and hotels. A number of entrepreneurs tried growing different crops like coconuts and avocados with varying success. However, after the railroad arrived in Miami, one of these entrepreneurs, John S. Collins, realized the area’s potential as a resort town.

During the first two decades of the 20th Century, investors poured money into developing Miami Beach. They expanded the islands, cleared the thick jungle, and built spas, hotels, and golf courses. By 1915, the year the town was officially chartered and there was even an aquarium.

In the last century, Miami Beach has continued to expand and attract tourists and residents from all over the country and globe. The population really boomed during the economic growth of the 1950s and the mass immigration of Cuban refugees in the late 50s and early 60s. This has influenced the city’s culture and turned it into the popular resort destination it is today.