Miami History - Miami’s location and rich sub-tropical climate have been an attraction for thousands of years. The Tequesta Indians arrived in the area of Miami more than 10,000 years ago – yes 10,000 years ago.

In more modern times, a notable date in Miami's History was the first coming of the Spanish conquerors. In Florida in the 16th Century there were more than a quarter of a million native Americans living there – the Calusa, the Apalachee and the Timucua. After initial skirmishes they lived in relative peace with the Spaniards for some two centuries. Franciscans converted most of the native Americans to Christianity and developed a chain of missions. With the Seminole from the Georgia Alabama border (who arrived in the 19th century), the native Americans of Florida have five reservations and they farm, fish, and run tourist related industries today.

In the 19th century, pirates from the Bahamas came to South Florida and the Keys to hunt for the remains of an international array of ships that crashed into the Great Florida Reef. It is also of interest that the Miami area formed one of the points of the infamous Bermuda Triangle.

In 1891, a widow named Julia Tuttle moved to Florida and bought over 600 acres of land on the north bank of the Miami River. Tuttle got Henry Flagler, the railroad builder, to extend the Railroad to Miami. This brought about the start of a new city, The City of Miami, in July 1896.

Since 1896 when the city of Miami was founded, the area has grown into a major tourist resort taking advantage of the magnificent beaches and the superb year round weather. The city has developed as a cosmopolitan metropolis with many ethnic cultures contributing to its success.

In 1926 a Devastating Hurricane hit Miami – over 100 people lost their lives and there was much destruction. This was compounded by the Depression and for some years things were bleak. However, Miami broke out of the depression aided by the start of modern aviation with Pan American Airways flying Flying Clippers from one of Miami Keys.

Miami partly because of it’s strong links with aviation was a major training centre during World War II and after the War many returned to the city to increase its prosperity and weath.

Another notable event in the History of Miami was the takeover of Cuba by Fidel Castro. Within about four months more than 125,000 refugees arrived in Miami. Many of them remained in the city and have contributed to a further cosmopolization of the area and Miami now has strong links with Latin America.

But then Hurricane Andrew arrived in August 1992 and struck South Florida with great force. It took many years for the local economy to recover.

Now Miami is one of the leading Tourist Resorts in the world with a strong and growing economy with building and redevelopment continuing apace. Recent hurricanes have caused more destruction and disruption but as before this City is well positioned to overcome such adversities.