LIVE BEACH WEBCAMS OF MIAMI BEACH

Miami Beach, a barrier island city located just east of Miami, is one of the most iconic and glamorous destinations in the United States. Known today for its Art Deco architecture, South Beach nightlife, and oceanfront luxury, its history traces back to Native American roots, wild mangroves, daring developers, and decades of cultural evolution.

 

Pre-Colonial & Indigenous History

Originally inhabited by the Tequesta people, who lived in the greater Miami area for over 2,000 years.

 

The area was mostly mangrove swamps, hardwood hammocks, and tidal wetlands, with few permanent settlements on the barrier islands themselves.

 

Indigenous life revolved around fishing, shellfishing, and canoe trade routes.

 

Early European Exploration (1500s–1800s)

Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s, but no lasting settlements were made on what is now Miami Beach.

 

The island remained undeveloped and largely uninhabited well into the 19th century.

 

First Settlers and Coconut Farming (Late 1800s)

In the 1870s–1880s, pioneers like the Lummus brothers, Carl Fisher, and John Collins began attempting to settle and develop the island.

 

John Collins, a New Jersey farmer, started a coconut plantation on the island in the early 1900s but struggled with access and transportation.

 

Founding of Miami Beach (1915)

In 1913, the Collins Bridge — the longest wooden bridge in the world at the time — was built, connecting mainland Miami to the island and enabling development.

 

In 1915, the town of Miami Beach was incorporated.

 

Real estate developer Carl Fisher promoted the island as a luxury resort for wealthy Northerners, building hotels, golf courses, and attractions.

 

The Roaring ‘20s Boom

The 1920s saw explosive growth fueled by:

The Florida Land Boom

Glamorous hotels like the Roney Plaza

Development of Lincoln Road as a commercial hub

Miami Beach became a playground for celebrities, socialites, and investors.

 

Setbacks: Hurricanes & Depression

The 1926 Great Miami Hurricane devastated the region, followed by the Great Depression, which stalled development.

 

However, by the 1930s, Miami Beach bounced back, thanks in part to the rise of Art Deco architecture, which still defines much of South Beach today.

 

World War II Era

During WWII, Miami Beach was transformed into a military training base.

 

Thousands of soldiers trained in beachfront hotels, which were temporarily converted into barracks and classrooms.

 

Golden Age (1940s–1950s)

Post-war Miami Beach saw a boom in tourism and became one of America’s most fashionable destinations.

 

Glamorous resorts like the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc opened.

 

It attracted entertainers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., and became a favorite of Jewish and Latin American vacationers.

 

Cultural & Demographic Shifts (1960s–1980s)

In the 1960s–70s, many retirees moved into Miami Beach, especially Jewish communities from New York and the Northeast.

 

By the 1980s, much of South Beach was deteriorating, with aging buildings and rising crime.

 

The area became known for drug trafficking, as famously depicted in Scarface and Miami Vice.

 

Art Deco Revival & Rebirth (1990s–Today)

The Miami Design Preservation League, founded in the late 1970s, helped save and restore the Art Deco Historic District.

 

South Beach underwent a dramatic transformation in the 1990s, becoming a hub for:

• Fashion, film, and photography

• International nightlife

• LGBTQ+ culture and Pride events

• Celebrity sightings and global tourism

 

Modern Miami Beach

Today, Miami Beach is known for:

• South Beach nightlife and art scene

• Art Deco architecture, unique to the 1930s

• Art Basel Miami Beach, a major contemporary art fair

• Luxury condos and high-end hotels

• A diverse population, strong Latin American and Caribbean influence

• Increasing focus on climate resilience and sea level rise challenges