June 12, 1913: With first bridge, Miami Beach is open for business
How big of a deal was the opening of the Collins Bridge across Biscayne Bay? It made possible the creation of Miami Beach as we know it today, with its aura of international glamour, mansions and Art Deco hotels, and it ushered in a wave of development on both sides of the bay so rapid that Miami still refers to itself as the Magic City.
At the time, it was the longest wooden bridge in the country -- two and a half miles. It required 2,100 pilings and cost more than $150,000. |
Developer and farmer John S. Collins financed the construction, with help from a $50,000 loan from automobile parts and racing entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher.
More than 1,000 attended the dedication, while 200 pedestrians and 145 bicyclists traversed the span, according to the Miami Daily News. An estimated 200 cars drove across, including 100 at once. They had to turn around on the other side, however, because there wasn't yet a paved road to the beach. |
In several lofty speeches, leading businessmen declared the bridge a harbinger of great things to come for Miami. "We are glad to have the veil lifted between Miami and the Atlantic Ocean," said Board of Trade representative George A. McKinnon, adding, "and looking into the future not far distant we see a beautiful residence district on the other side, which this bridge will open up. We see business houses, hotels and other evidences of progress and development which would not be possible if it were not for this great structure which has been flung across this large body of water."
Mayor J.W. Watson predicted "that in two or three years the traffic over the bridge will have grown so large that another bridge, probably larger than this, will be necessitated."
Construction of a second bridge began in 1917 and was dedicated in 1920 as the County Causeway. The modern six-lane version is called MacArthur Causeway.
In 1925, the original Collins Bridge was replaced by a series of drawbridges and renamed the Venetian Causeway.
Mayor J.W. Watson predicted "that in two or three years the traffic over the bridge will have grown so large that another bridge, probably larger than this, will be necessitated."
Construction of a second bridge began in 1917 and was dedicated in 1920 as the County Causeway. The modern six-lane version is called MacArthur Causeway.
In 1925, the original Collins Bridge was replaced by a series of drawbridges and renamed the Venetian Causeway.