Miami History Podcast

Casey M. Piket

Reflecting on South Florida's vibrant past.

  1. May 14

    City of Opa-locka Centennial

    This podcast episode explores the history of the Opa-locka, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of its incorporation on May 14, 1926. Founded by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, the distinctive North Miami-Dade community was envisioned around an "Arabian Nights" theme. Opa-locka became renowned for its remarkable collection of Moorish Revival architecture, the largest concentration of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, featuring onion domes, minarets, courtyards, and whimsical street names inspired by tales such as Ali Baba and Aladdin. The city also developed into an important aviation hub through the growth of Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, which at one time ranked among the busiest commercial airports in the United States. In 1982, Opa-locka established a Historic Environment Preservation Board to help protect its architectural heritage, and many of the city's signature buildings from its formative years have since been carefully restored and preserved, ensuring that its unique character continues into its second century.

    26 min

  2. Apr 23

    Miami Pioneers - Sewell Brothers

    This episode tells the story of two brothers who arrived on the shores of Biscayne Bay and the Miami River the very year the City of Miami was incorporated. John and Everest Sewell were not only early pioneers, but also among the city's first retailers. As Miami grew, both men would go on to serve multiple terms as mayor, helping shape the direction of the young community. John Sewell's enduring legacy includes the home he built in 1912 just outside the city, constructed from native rock and still remembered today. John's Halissee Hall is still standing and part of the Jackson Health Complex. His younger brother, Everest, became one of Miami's most influential promoters, leading the Chamber of Commerce and working alongside local business leaders to launch the first Orange Bowl game, an effort designed to draw visitors during the depths of the Great Depression. Together, the Sewell brothers played a central role in Miami's formative years.

    24 min

  3. Feb 25

    Olympia Theater in Downtown Miami

    This podcast episode recounts the story of the Olympia Theater at 174 East Flagler Street in downtown Miami as it marks the 100th anniversary of its grand opening in 1926. Built with extraordinary fanfare, the lavish and distinctive structure quickly became the crown jewel of Miami's burgeoning entertainment district. The celebrated showplace debuted at the height of the vaudeville era, when live stage acts and silent films captivated audiences, and later adapted to the age of "talkies." Motion pictures were enhanced by live musical accompaniment, whether from the orchestra in the pit or the majestic organ housed within its chamber. The grand opening on February 18, 1926, unveiled architect John Eberson's signature atmospheric design to an enthusiastic public. During the ceremony, the principals of Paramount Enterprises, a partnership between the Leach family and the Famous Players-Lasky organization that financed the project and later evolved into Paramount Pictures, were recognized for their vision. Prominent entertainers of the era and local leaders were also in attendance, lending star power to the debut of what was hailed as one of the most ornate and distinctive theaters in the nation.

    29 min

  4. Jan 15

    Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables

    This episode explores the remarkable story of the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, one of the crown jewels of George Merrick's visionary City Beautiful. Developed through a partnership between Merrick and John McEntee Bowman of the Biltmore Corporation, the hotel opened as a symbol of Mediterranean Revival grandeur, designed to draw visitors from around the world and define South Florida luxury in the 1920s. The Biltmore Hotel's story is one of resilience. The institution was challenged by its inland location, and although it opened on January 15, 1926, during the peak of the building boom, it experienced economic turmoil following the bust of the building boom later that year. The hotel endured cycles of decline and renewal. Over the past century, it has served many roles, from glamorous resort to World War II Army hospital, later a VA hospital and medical school, before ultimately returning to its original purpose as a grand hotel. This episode traces the Biltmore's dramatic evolution and enduring legacy as one of South Florida's most iconic landmarks.

    26 min

  5. Jan 13

    Cape Florida Lighthouse

    This podcast episode tells the story of an enduring South Florida landmark. On December 17, 2025, the Cape Florida Lighthouse marked its 200th anniversary, standing today as the oldest structure in Miami-Dade County still in its original location. Built on Key Biscayne, the lighthouse was designed to guide ships safely past the treacherous Great Florida Reef. Over two centuries, it survived a battle during the Second Seminole War, sabotage in the Civil War, periods of abandonment and restoration, and the destructive force of Hurricane Andrew. Thanks to the dedication of Miami News editor Bill Baggs and the advocacy of the Dade Heritage Trust, this historic beacon has been preserved and was fittingly honored during its bicentennial celebration.

    28 min

  6. Jan 2

    Miami's Edgewater Neighborhood

    This podcast episode features the story of development of the Edgewater neighborhood in Miami, Florida. What was part of an area referred to as 'North Miami', best known as Miami's first saloon and red-light district, Edgewater evolved out of the city's first suburbs that were developed after the saloon district was cleared out in 1908. When a Miami attorney turned developer began creating residential communities north of the city, one of those suburbs was called 'Edgewater' given its proximity to Biscayne Bay. After the annexation of North Miami in 1913, the neighborhood reference for the former northern suburbs was Edgewater encompassing from roughly north of the Venetian Causeway to the Julia Tuttle Causeway and east of Biscayne Boulevard.

    23 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    HistoryMiami Museum

    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.

    29 min

  8. 10/13/2025

    Miami Pioneer Architect August Geiger

    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.

    26 min
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4.9
out of 5
61 Ratings

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