Monument Island was created as a perfectly round man made island. Through the years erosion…read moreespecially by Hurricane Wilma has resulted in a more oblong shape. A 110-foot obelisk surrounded by figures that was created as a memorial to Henry Flagler who died in 1913 is at the center of the island. Flagler was the most influential man in Florida's history because he brought the railroad which enabled Florida to be developed. The island is an uninhabited and is accessible only by boat. Surrounding the island are the homes on Star Island, Palm Island, and the Venetian Islands where the rich and famous live behind their locked gates. The east side of the island has rocks and the west side is a beach. The monument to Flagler was sculpted by H.P. Peterson and paid for by real estate developer Carl Fisher. Fisher built a street car connection to Flagler's railroad so he could develop the area he named Miami Beach. The monument has four figures sitting in the four cardinal directions. Each one represents a different part of Miami Beach. Due North is a man in a Roman toga who represents industry. He holds a scroll, a building, and a train in to represent Flagler's railroad. The east female figure representing education holds out one hand in welcome while the other one holds book. The southern figure of a sailor representing pioneer has one hand shielding his face from the sun while the other one holds a shovel. To the west is a female figure holding a cornucopia and a purse representing prosperity. The island has been victim to vandalizing and disrepair from the harsh elements. Parts of the island are covered in trash. In 2011 a porn film was even made on the island. Some of the figures on the monument have areas that are falling apart. It is sad to see such a historical monument neglected in such a way. One hope that Miami Beach would honor both Henry Flagler and Carl Fisher by taking care of the island. I only viewed the island from a bridge. If you don't own a mega yacht like the islands celebrity neighbors Ricky Martin and Gloria Estefan you can rent a kayak from Maurice Gibb park. From there it is about a 15 minute paddle out.

I lived in Miami my whole life and always heard stories about the mysterious "monument island"…read more Urban legend has it that on Sundays this place turns into a scene straight out of a reggaeton video! However on a Wednesday afternoon, on the verge of a storm this place looked more like the island in lost - surrounded by multi-million dollar homes. Sure enough some knuckleheads showed up in jetskis to crash the party. I joked they were pirates - and sure enough one of them was interested in some "booty". He sat down on a cooler and his girlfriend sat down in his lap, grinding it out....stay classy Miami. Did I mention the pirates showed up on a TOWED jetski? Yes, one of them didn't work so they strapped it up to the one that did and towed it back out............................WHAT?! Regardless this is a cool spot to come if you have jetskis and just hang out. Granted midday on a weekday is HIGHLY advised as it gets super crazy on the weekends. Also, watch out for the jelly fish. One of my co-workers found one near the shore and scooped it up with a paddle...the thing was the size of a large Papa John's Pizza. We didn't venture into the middle as it began pouring (then REALLY looked like the island on lost) but I hear it's cool to check out. I might be back.... THE ISLAND ISN'T DONE WITH ME!

Bayfront Park in downtown Miami is more than just your typical park. It is also a culturally…read moreimportant outdoor museum, with art and monuments that add beauty and historical perspective. One of my favorite statues in the park, next to the children's playground, is that of Julia Tuttle (January 22, 1849 - September 14, 1898), who is known as the Mother of Miami. She was the only woman to have founded a major American city. This statue of her was dedicated on July 28, 2010, on Miami's 114th birthday. Julia Tuttle relocated from Cleveland to Fort Dallas, now known as Miami, in 1891. She arrived as a widow with two children to claim land that had been left to her by her parents as an inheritance. She purchased 640 acres on the north side of the Miami River for her home. Where others saw only swampland and a few orange groves, Julia saw the potential to turn the land into a city, but she knew that a railroad would be necessary for development. Julia Tuttle convinced railroad magnate and industrialist Henry Flagler to extend his railroad to Miami by offering him half of her land, 320 acres on the north bank of the Miami River. This, combined with an additional 100 acres for a hotel and railroad terminal, sealed the deal. Legend has it that Julia sent Henry a bouquet of orange blossoms during the severe winter freeze of 1894-1895 to show that Miami was frost free. While the flowers make for a great story, it was really her business acumen that brought the railroad to South Florida. On April 22, 1896, the Florida East Coast Railway train service came to the area. A few months later, on July 28, male residents voted to incorporate a new city: Miami. Ironically, it was a vote that Julia, as a woman, was not allowed to participate in. Julia was instrumental in establishing early infrastructure, including setting up the town's first laundry, bakery, and dairy. She passed away in 1898 at the young age of 49 from meningitis. She is buried in the City of Miami Cemetery. The project to commemorate Julia Tuttle began in 1996 through the efforts of the Miami Commission on the Status of Women. It took 14 years, along with joint efforts from the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women, to raise the necessary funds. Artists Eugene Daub and Rob Firmin were chosen to create the 10-foot-tall bronze statue. Julia is depicted looking toward the horizon and the future while holding a basket of oranges in one hand and an orange blossom in the other. Her skirt is adorned with symbols of Miami's history, including images of local flora and fauna, the train that connected Miami to Florida, Tuttle shaking Flagler's hand, and the Native Americans and African Americans who were among the area's first settlers. This is a sculpture that requires you to stop for a few minutes and truly look at it to appreciate its full impact. Julia Tuttle was both a savvy businesswoman and a landowner, which was quite a remarkable achievement for a woman of her era. Her vision and foresight left a legacy in Miami that can still be felt today.

Come see what Julia Tuttle looked like. We all have a lot to thank her for. who is she though?…read moreJulia DeForest Sturtevant Tuttle, A landowner who was key to the development of Miami, Julia Tuttle was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She married in 1871, bore two children, and visited Miami for the first time in 1875. After her husband's death in 1891, she moved there permanently. Tuttle bought a square mile of land at the mouth of the Miami River, more than half of which she donated to induce others to settle there. She convinced rail executive Henry Flagler to extend train service from Palm Beach to Miami by sending him orange blossoms during the great freeze of 1894-95 after the orchards further north had frozen. Known as 'the Mother of Miami,' Julia Tuttle died there at age 50, two years after the railroad arrived. 'It is the dream of my life,' she had written, 'to see this wilderness turned into a prosperous country.'

The histories of Cuba and Miami are deeply intertwined, and reminders of that connection can be…read morefound throughout the city, including here at Tamiami Park. While driving through the park, I couldn't miss the large Cuban Flag Memorial near the FIU stadium. Curious to learn more, I stopped for a closer look. The Memorial Cubano was created through a community effort by Cuban exiles in South Florida who wanted to commemorate those who died under the Cuban government after 1959 or while attempting to flee the island. The project began in 2002 when a group of exiles organized a symbolic cemetery to honor victims whose graves were either inaccessible or nonexistent. Thousands of white crosses were placed throughout Tamiami Park, each bearing the name of a deceased person. What began as a temporary tribute soon became an annual tradition. After years of displaying the crosses, a permanent memorial was officially inaugurated on February 22, 2014. Designed by Cuban architects Willy Borroto and Otto Borroto, the memorial features a 62 foot tall obelisk painted as the Cuban flag, a large white star-shaped plaza representing the flag's star, royal palm trees representing the national tree of Cuba, and black marble panels engraved with the names of the deceased. Memorial Cubano, Inc., the nonprofit organization that owns and maintains the memorial, keeps records of individuals whose deaths it deems are attributed to political repression, imprisonment, military actions, or attempts to escape Cuba. Annual ceremonies continue to be held here to honor those who lost their lives under Castro's regime. One particularly large gathering took place on the day of Fidel Castro's funeral. As I walked through the memorial and looked at the names and photographs, the cost of the struggle for freedom was driven home. It was a moving experience. This memorial is well worth a visit if you find yourself in Sweetwater. It is a reminder of the enduring impact Fidel Castro's regime has had on Cubans and the South Florida community.

Alhambra Entrance - Suggesting twin towers and a bridge, the stone archway entrance to Coral…read moreGables at Alhambra Circle is located where Madeira Avenue meets Douglas Road. The address is SW 37th Avenue (Douglas Road), Majorca Avenue and Alhambra Circle. The Alhambra entry arch is also known as the commercial entry to Coral Gables, as Alhambra Circle leads to the central business district of the City of Coral Gables and Miracle Mile. A worthy photo op.

When George Merrick designed Coral Gables he wanted a series of gates to enter the city. They are…read morereminiscent of the medieval gates in Europe and were meant to show that Coral Gables is separate from the surrounding city. This is the one at the Alhambra entrance. They are made out of native stone and have benches to sit on. All of the Mediterranean style gates to the city were designed by Denman Fink, George Merrick's uncle. Denman Fink was an artist and magazine illustrator. In addition to the gates he designed the Venetian Pool and the Alhambra Water Tower. He served as the artistic adviser for the City of Coral Gables. I looked closely at the gate and after I cleared away some weeds as I able to find his seal with a D and G entwined. It was such a cool find to see his mark left on the gate. Since he was not a licensed architect he had architects Phineas Paist and Walter De Garmo do the final sign off. The gate is so beautiful. I loved looking at all of the intricate details in it. Parts of it are covered in bougainvillea. It's easy to imagine a medieval princess sitting on the bench waiting for her prince. The lovely gates are just one of the reasons Coral Gables has the well earned nickname city beautiful.

This huge fountain is located right inside a HUGE roundabout in Coral Gables…read more Who led the first European expedition to the United States? Well, the Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernando de Soto of course! At the intersection of Seville Ave, Granada Blvd, & De Soto Blvd, is the De Soto Plaza & Fountain, one of the numerous plazas, entrances, and fountains that add to the charm of Coral Gables. This traffic circle plaza has a magnificent pedestal-type fountain surrounded by colourful flowers and tall palms. The fountain, built in 1925, is considered to be of neo-baroque style which is a French architectural style of the late 19th century. There are four face carvings that contain water jets and vintage lanterns that gently light the area in the evening time.

The Desoto Plaza Fountain is named for Hernando de Soto, Spanish explorer and conquistador who led…read morethe first European expedition to the United States. Built in 1925 it the located at the intersection of Seville Ave, Granada Blvd, & De Soto Blvd and is in close proximity to the Venetian Pool. It is one of the numerous plazas, entrances, and fountains that give Coral Gables the nickname The City Beautiful. In the center of the traffic circle plaza is a magnificent pedestal fountain surrounded by marigolds. The fountain is in a neo-baroque style which is a French architectural style of the late 19th century. It was designed by Denman Fink, the uncle of Coral Gables founder George Merrick. He designed all of the original entrances to Coral Gables, the original water tower in the shape of a light house, and Coral Gables city hall. The pedestal-type fountain supports an obelisk and features four relief carvings of faces containing water jets. At night vintage lanterns light the fountain.

While driving through Miami Shores, I came across this blue historical marker in front of Village…read moreHall. The marker is part of Florida's Historical Marker Program, one of the Division of Historical Resources' most recognizable public history initiatives. These markers commemorate significant people, places, and events throughout the state and can be found along roadways, at archaeological sites, battlefields, cemeteries, colleges, historic districts, schools, and churches. Historical Marker F-1178 was erected in 2021 by the Miami Shores Historic Preservation Board and the Florida Department of State. During Florida's land boom of the 1920s, developer T. V. Moore envisioned an upscale, master-planned residential community on land he owned in what is now Miami Shores' commercial district. In 1924, the Shoreland Company purchased Moore's property, along with the Gordon Tract, Bay View Estates, and other scattered parcels, to create the community of Miami Shores. Homes were designed in the Mediterranean Revival style, reflecting the company's vision of creating "America's Mediterranean." The development was named after Victor Jacobi's popular 1919 waltz, On Miami Shore. Although the devastating 1926 Miami hurricane and the collapse of the Florida land boom slowed construction, the community continued to grow steadily over the following decades. Miami Shores was officially incorporated as a village in 1932. It developed into a primarily residential community known for its tree lined streets, green spaces, and commitment to preserving its architectural heritage. A major milestone came in 1940 with the founding of Barry University which grew into one of the village's largest institutions and an important cultural and educational center. Miami Shores is one of my favorite South Florida communities because of its beautiful historic homes and welcoming small town atmosphere, despite being surrounded by the larger Miami metropolitan area. I always enjoy visiting for its historic preservation efforts, parks, and convenient location just minutes from downtown Miami.

It was another day of white knuckle driving to and from Miami for the South Beach Food and Wine…read morefestival. A fatal accident on the Turnpike added an hour to my trip down to South Beach and the way back was jammed too. Waze routed me out of South Beach via the MacArthur Causeway so while stuck in traffic I decided to learn how a bridge in Miami came to be named after a WWII General. The General Douglas MacArthur Causeway is a 3.5-mile, six-lane bridge connecting Downtown Miami to South Beach across Biscayne Bay. It opened in 1920 serving as a link between mainland Miami and Miami Beach. it was renamed in 1942 as a tribute to General MacArthur's leadership during the early, critical stages of World War II. The causeway went through expansions in the 1960's, 1970's, and 1990's during which the original low-level drawbridge was replaced with a higher span to accommodate modern traffic. The MacArthur Causeway passes Watson Island, Palm Island, and Star Island. The best part of traveling it are the panoramic views of the Miami skyline, especially at sunset. If you are going to be stuck in Miami traffic this causeway at least has a great view.

This brilliant piece of engineering was amazingly built as far back as 1920. Nearly a hundred years…read moreold and expanded and upgraded several times since then, this causeway joins the southern end of Miami Beach to the mainland of Miami. The latest updates were completed in the mid-1990's. Today, this six-land road carries State Road 836 and State Road A1A over the Biscayne Bay. And it's the perfect place to catch some cruise ships or the beautiful Miami skyline. Or make a detour to look at Star Island and Palm Island. Love. It. [Review 10273 overall, 36 of 2019.]

While visiting the Miami Circle, arguably one of the most important archaeological finds in North…read moreAmerica, I first came across this sculpture called the Pillar of History, located mid-span on the Brickell Avenue Bridge where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay. Miami is built on land first inhabited by the Tequesta nearly 2,500 years ago. The Tequesta were an Indigenous people who inhabited southeast Florida from Boca Raton to Key West, as well as the Everglades. They lived on fish, shellfish, berries, and small game, and were well adapted to the environment of South Florida. They thrived for nearly 2,000 years until they became victims of war and disease brought by Europeans in the 1500s. The prevailing theory is that the site of the circle was used by the Tequesta and may have served as the location of a council house. Many artifacts, including shell tools, stone axe heads, and human teeth, have been found at the site. The Pillar of History, created by Cuban artist Manuel Carbonell, memorializes Miami's first people, the Tequesta. It was commissioned by the Florida Department of Transportation and marked the department's first effort to integrate public art into a bridge design. The piece was installed in 1995 during the reconstruction of the Brickell Avenue Bridge and remains one of Florida's largest bronze monuments. The base features 16 bronze bas-reliefs honoring Miami's early pioneers, including Henry Flagler, D. A. Dorsey, William Brickell, Mary Brickell, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Julia Tuttle. There are also 12 bronze bas-reliefs of local wildlife adorning the base of the flagpoles. The 36-foot-tall column consists of 158 figures that narrate the history of the Tequesta people. At the top of the column is a sculpture titled "Tequesta Family." It portrays a Tequesta warrior aiming an arrow toward the sky, searching for his place in eternity. Beside him is his wife, searching for a better life, while their son covers his face with his hands, aware of his people's inevitable extinction. The Brickell Avenue Bridge symbolically connects Miami's earliest inhabitants, the Tequesta, to its earliest pioneers, such as the Brickell family, for whom the area is named. As someone with an ardent passion for both art and history, the Pillar of History is one of my favorite public art sculptures in Miami. Now I look forward to seeing it every time I cross the bridge.