1674-22 Lummus John Newton ..
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of 1 The Facts About the Early Days
J. N. LUN'11'1US
Pioneer Developer and
. .,: _ ,_..... 'rst Mayor
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The Miracle
COPYRIGHTED of
1940- 1944- 1952
J. N. LUMMUS 1
Miami Beach
by
J. N. LUMMUS
Pioneer Developer and
First Mayor
Printed by
MIAMI POST Y - PUBLISHING CO.
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DEDICATION
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THROUGH the insistence of numerous
friends that I publish an historical record
of the founding, early history and
development of Miami Beach,
J. N. LUMMUS
"THE SUN SEEKERS PARADISE, ' Photographed March 20, 1952.
I am getting younger since I passed 80 years.
I hereby dedicate the following pages to
the parts played by those outstanding pio-
neers . . . realizing that, in years to come, IC-=) ° "" f��1�/` '►'t
legends may be accepted as facts. .I trust
these printed words may ever remain a
monument to truth.
J. N. Lummus ‘4
Friends:
I certainly enjoyed seeing the moving pic-
ture "Miami Beach Today" as shown at our
dinner party February 20, 1952 at the Com-
munity Church, 1620 Drexel Ave., but most
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of the early day pictures shown were taken
North of 23rd Street after 1918. In other
words, six years after the development com-
menced and three years after Miami Beach
• incorporated.
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J. E. LUMMUS CARL G. FISHER
He was a banker in Miami, but had He loaned us $150,000 in 1913
his money in with me from beginning to end. on 500 acres of swamp land.
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John Frazure of the Beach Realtors invited Here comes the early record of Miami
me to speak on the early days at the Realtors Beach; no one ever asked for the facts be-
meeting February 11, 1952. I did not posi- fore, and J. E. Lummus, J. N. Lummus and
tively turn him down at first, but called him Carl Fisher are the only ones who knew the
up a day or two later arid tried to get out of facts because they did the work and paid
it but it was already in the newspapers, so I for it.
said a few words: John's father was an old I am showing some photographs of the
time friend of mine and was a Conductor on early development of Miami Beach and the
the Plant System R.R., now the Atlantic Coast developers in their order from the start in
Line, when I was Chief Train Dispatcher in 1912. Some of these photographs were taken
the 90's. • as the work was going on. This shows what
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LUMMUS DOCK, BISCAYNE STREET
Where the development of
Miami Beach was commenced in 1912.
JOHN S. COLLINS
He built the longest wooden bridge in the world in 1913,
from 15th Street, Miami, to Dade Boulevard,Miami Beach.
has been done and can be done in this part South and immediately put men chopping
of South Florida on account of our climate, down swamp, clearing and grading the Ocean
which is controlled by the Gulf Stream. Front at the South end.We paid from$150.00
My brother and I spent over $25,000.00 per acre to $12,500 per acre for swamp land.
per year in 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916 ad- The large price wa paid for small tracts but
vertising Miami Beach in other Cities as we we had to have them to put streets through.
only had a few thousand people in Dade The Lummus Company started the develop-
County when we started Miami Beach and ment and it was known as the Ocean Beach
now we have over a half million. Realty Company and was owned by J. E.
In 1912 The Lummus Company purchased Lummus and J. N. Lummus. We had a few
605 acres of swamp land from Lincoln Road other stockholders at first but bought them
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J. N. LUMMUS, J. E. LUMMUS, JOHN LEVI r ;'',,;i. ?-
Standing at 3rd Street and the Bay in August, 1913. FIFTH STREET AND ALTON ROAD IN 1912
Where the Chamber of Commerce Building now stands.
Purdy Boat Ways on the Bay. Collins was
all out and paid them a profit when we de- the Miami Beach Improvement Company and .
cided to lay a foundation for a City. was known as "Miami Beach." All of the
When I use the word swamp, I mean swamp above was before the Town of "Miami Beach"
and mangrove tre.s so thick that a man could was incorporated.
not get through without an axe to cut his way. The Lummus Company's first plat is re-
Our development was from 15th Street corded in Book 2 of plats, page 38, Records
South and was known as "Ocean Beach." of Dade County, Florida, July 9, 1912. Col-
Fisher's was the Alton Beach Realty Com- lins' first plat is recorded in Book 2 of Plats,
pany and was known as "Alton Beach," page 47, December 11, 1912. Fisher's first
bounded on the South by 15th Street, on the plat was filed January 15, 1914 in Book 2
North by 23rd Street, on the Ocean, and of Plats, page 77.
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111.11104c, '
IN 1912
EAST OF COLLINS AVENUE Washington Avenue and 5th Street
All territory was like this in 1912
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In 191.3 my Brother and I met Carl Fisher, and that alone, is what started Miami Beach
who had a winter home on Brickell Avenue, in a big way.
Miami. Fisher asked me why we did not do On July 1, 1913 the Lummus and Fisher
all this work at once. I told him we had an Companies signed a Contract together with
awful good reason and that was we did not the Furst Clark Dredgin Com an of Balti-
have the money, so he loaned us $150,000 g p y
more to move 6 million cubic yards of ma-
and we paid him 8 per cent interest for the terial out of the Bay to build up the Bay side
money and gave him 105 acres of swamp land of the Beach and make the Motor Boat Race
from Lincoln Road South to 15th Street as a Course at the same time. Lummus Company's
bonus for the loan. We had paid $150.00 per part of that Contract was $315,000 and Fish-
acre for the land that we gave Fisher. That, ! er's was $285,000. The Dredge Contract was
8
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, 't"" . -, FIRST HOTEL IN MIAMI BEACH
CASINO Built in 1914.Owned and operated by W. J. Brown,
located between First and Second Streets.
Don Hardie built it in 1914.
completed July 1, 1914. Attorney Frank
Shuns and I went to Tallahassee and got the I,as President of the Southern Bank&Trust
State permit to do the Dredge work. The Company, Miami, before going to the Beach
Governor and his staff wished us well be- in 1912 to take charge of our development,
cause this was the first work of its kind in loaned Collins $10,000.00 to start his wooden
Florida. bridge, and J. E. Lummus, as President of
Attorney Crate Bowen, representing Fisher the Bank of Bay Biscayne, Miami, loaned
Company, and I, representing the Lummus him $15,000.00. Collins thought he could
finance it to completion but he was in his
Company, went to Washington and got a per- 70's and could not.
mit from the U. S. Government. This U. S.
Permit was Number One in the State of Flor- The Lummus Company hauled passengers
ida for dredge work. on boats for 5c each way. We owned three
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WILLIE A. PICKERT RESIDENCE
Built in 1914. Mrs. Von Cleary is his daughter.
JOHN H. LEVI
He worked for Carl Fisher from 1913 to 1916,
after which he was connected with the Miami Ocean View
Company and the City of Miami Beach.
He was Mayor twice and Councilman many years
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boats. These boats could carry. about 50 pas- In 1914 the Lummus Company put a no-
tice in both Miami newspapers offering to
sengers each. They ran from Flagler Street, give away 25 lots on Collins Avenue to any-
Miami, to Biscayne Street, Miami Beach. one to build houses as per our requirements,
I got out of the banking business in 1912 and have them completed and occupied in
and my brother was President of the Bank of 1914. I built mine in 1914. It is located on
Bay Biscayne and the Southern Bank and 12th Street and Ocean Drive next to the Tides
Trust Company after that. Hotel and is now owned by Mrs. Harris. We
After Fisher and Lummus made their deal actually gave away 33 lots and houses were
and started work at South Beach, Fisher built and occupied in 1914. I lived in a small
loaned Collins$50,000 to complete the bridge house on Collins Avenue between Biscayne
and it was completed the early part of 1914. and 1st Street up to that time.
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terSIDE WALK
In front of Ocean Drive, 1913, BULLS ISLAND, 1913
from Biscayne Street to 15th Street. Now the exclusive Bell Isle.
On March 26, 1915 we incorporated the 41st Street. The only way of getting to Col-
"Town of Miami Beach" and I was made lins' farm was by boat in Indian Creek and
Mayor. The Town took in all of the territory Biscayne Bay.
from the Government Cut, a ship channel, to When the "Town of Miami Beach" was in-
what is now known as the Firestone Place, or corporated, all of the voters lived on the
42nd Street. This took in all of the Lummus' Lummus development South of 15th Street
holdings, which ran from Biscayne St. to 15th except three. They were T. J. Pancoast, Ar-
Street, and all of Fisher's holdings from 15th thur Pancoast and one man living on Collins'
Street to 23rd Street on the Ocean and to farm. Women did not vote in Florida in 1915.
Purdy Boat Ways on the Bay; also Collins' World War I caught us in 1914 and was
swamp and his farm which was located about still going strong in 1916. We were operating
14 15
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ONE OF THE NATIVES IN 1912
We killed 17 on the Lummus development. IN 1913
Washington Avenue at 12th Street
where the City Hall now stands.
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on borrowed money and The Lummus Com- View Company one year as Vice-President as
pany sold all of its holdings West of Wash- per agreement. Jim Snowden was made Presi-
ington Avenue and North of 5th Street to Jim dent and John Levi, Secretary-Treasurer per-
Allison, Arthur C.;, Newby, Jim Snowden, manently.
George Snowden, Carl Fisher and Henry Mc- We built Star Iland, lots of houses West
Sweeney, all millionaires. I had this chance of Washington Avenue and rocked roads, the
of getting all of the Lummus Company money year I was with them, also planted $10,000
back and paying all debts and did so. The worth of trees and shrubbery; we bought that
above boys organized the Miami Ocean View much from Griffin Brothers at one time.
Company in 1916 and put this property in Jim Allison was the head of the Union Car-
that Company. I stayed with the Miami Ocean bide of America. He built the St. Francis
16 17
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FRANK HARDIE / r
1913, at 12th Street. S� '4' f� t
He did all the grade work on the Lummus Development.
He now lives in Miami at 420 N. W.35th Street. .
INDIAN CREEK IN 1912
I went with Collins to his farm and this was the only way
of getting there, by boat.about 41st Street.
"Snowden and McSweeney Oil Co." He was
Hospital for a doctor friend of his at Fort. 30 years Attorney for the Standard Oil Corn-
Hospital
Lauderdale and it was later sold to the St. pany of New Jersey at 26 Broadway, New
Francis. York. His Mother had a home on the corner
of Ocean Drive and 11th Street, Miami Beach.
Arthur C. Newby was President of the Na- She introduced me to him. When I sold them
tional Automobile Company at that time. two million dollars worth of real estate for
Jim and George Snowden were big oil a half million dollars, Allison said to the
operators in practically all the oil fields in others, "I'm going fishing. You boys take
America. what you want of what Lummus is offering
Carl Fisher was the Indianapolis Speed- you and I will take the balance." He was a
way and Prest-O-Lite man. Henry McSwee- real sport. They only left him about $50,000
ney was in with Snowden and -known as worth but he put more in later.
18 19
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MERIDIAN AVENUE AT 14TH STREET, (1913) RATS BY THE THOUSANDS IN 1912
Jim Hardee is at left. He had charge I advertised for cats and my friends brought me
of all our swamp chopping.Jim is living in Miami nowbags of cats, and they cleaned up the rats.
each passenger, so Fisher paid Collins $2,500
Jim Snowden, being a big oil operator per year and the Lummus Company paid him
which is a fast money making business, was the same in 1914-1915 and 1916 to get him
hard to interest in real estate, so J. E. Lum- to make the fare 25c for cars regardless of
mus and J. N. Lummus gave John Levi how many passengers. In 1916 we realized
$10,000 stock in the Miami Ocean View Com- that the wooden briydge could not last long so
pany to keep Jim Snowden interested until J. E. Lummus, J. N. Lummus and Carl Fisher
Fisher and I could get them all together to donated $2000 each to put over a $600,000
close the deal. John knew Snowden well and County Bond issue to build the Causeway, the
had sold him yachts and had worked for him. first in Florida, from 13th Street, Miami to
When Collins opened his wooden bridge 5th Street, Miami Beach, now known as the
he charged $1.00 for each car•and 25c for McArthur Causeway. .
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COONS BY THE HUNDREDS IN 1912 .. ...W it
My son Tom and I, with my old dog "Black Joe, - Mm
killed the coons.
MARCH 17, 1913
Helen Lummus hoisting the flag on Ocean Beach
at Biscayne Street.
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landing. That is where the Chamber of Com-
When Fisher sent me his $2000, he said, , coerce now stands and the car barn adjoin-
"J. N., I don't think you can do it," but we ing, so the Lummus Company donated Dade
carried the bond issue 2 to 1. Sam Belcher County $89,400 for the first Causeway and
was Chairman of the County Commissioners paid two-thirds of the cost of putting the bond
and gave us great help. He was head of the issue over.
Belcher Oil Company. In 1917 we sent Attorney Mitchell D. Price
The Lummus Company gave Dade County to Tallahassee and he got us a Legislative
500' by 300' for the landing on the Beach. Charter,making it the"City of Miami Beach,"
Dade County sold the Allison Realty Com- which is published in full in Special Acts of
pany, $14,400 of it, and sold the City of the Florida Legislature in 1917, on page 806,
Miami Beach $75,000 of it and 'still owns the Chapter 7672. .
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JOHN LEVI, J. N. LUMMUS, J. E. LUMMUS LUMMUS BUILDING, 1914
at Collins Avenue, and I st, in 1913,
first paved road on Miami Beach. Oceap Drive and Biscayne Street,where Miami Beach was
incorporated March 26, 1915. All Council meetings
were held in my building from 1915 to 1918.
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Carl Fisher organized another company
about 1919, taking in all of Collins' holdings 4
North of 23rd Street with John S. Collins and On a barge, I sent a wagon drawn by a
Sons — also T. J. Pancoast and others and couple of mules, to meet the party of men
completed the develgpment. when they arrived from the Miami side and
In 1913, after meeting Fisher and arrang- to bring them to the Beach, but with the ex-
ing to borrow the money, and after the dredge ception of Mr. Mclionald, they all walked.
contract was let in July, 1913, my brother, When the Commissioners looked over what
J. E. Lummus and I arranged to have the the Collins crowd, the Fisher interests, and
county commissioners visit the development the Lummus Company were doing and
with us. In the party were John S. Collins, planned to do, they agreed to accept a deed
Carl G. Fisher and J. A. McDonald. to the land where Collins Avenue is now
24 25
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He built more houses on Miami Beach
f/f/� than any other man in the early days.
SAM A. BELCHER
He helped us to put over the Bond issue for the
first Causeway in Florida, now the McArthur Causeway,
13th Street, Miami to 5th Street,Miami Beach.
located, and theroad along Collins Canal to
the Bay to connect with Collins Bridge.
t way on the Carney tract. This was the first
road suitable for automobiles, built on Miami
Dade County was to pay one-third of the Beach, and it was completed in 1913.
cost of building these roads,the Lummus Corn- I decided to visit Atlantic City, to look over
II pany one-third, and Fisher one-third. It took that city's famous-boardwalk.
ten men one week to cut a right-of-way from After returning to Miami Beach, we im-
where Mr. Collins was then having the canal mediately went to work on the construction
dug to South Beach. I started cutting the right- of sidewalks, but did not build them as wide
of-way at South Beach and Fisher met me as in Atlantic City. Our sidewalks were only
with his cutting at Fourteenth Lane, or Mid- ten feet in width, and the first one was laid
26 27
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IRVIN COLLINS
T. J. PANCOAST Son of John S. Collins,
He was the second Mayor of Miami Beach connected with all of Collins Development.
and was connected with all of Collins development.
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dredging the Bay bottom, pumping in the
material to fill in the land and constructing
along Biscayne Street to the ocean, thence the bulkheads.
along Ocean Drive to Fifth Street. North of The people of Miami Beach have built a
Fifth Street we built a walk ten feet wide of great City and built it fast, but J. N. Lummus,
concrete. All of these walks were completed J. E. Lummus and Carl Fisher laid the foun-
long before Miami Beach was incorporated, dation fast. It took lots of nerve to buy 605
and the streets south of Fifth Street were paved acres of swamp and undertake the develop-
by the Lummus Company.This Company built ment. My brother and I were looking for capi-
many additional sidewalks. tal and our work at the South end of the Beach
Up to this time, development of Miami was what attracted Fisher when he went fish-
Beach had consisted of clearing the swamp, ing through the Cut in the speed boat "The
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AUCTION SALES, MARCH, 1915 FISHER'S TUG BOAT
I gave Dammers his first job in Florida, He named it for me,and it handled the traffic between
at 4th Street and Washington Avenue. We always Fisher Island and Miami Beach.
had a crowd as we gave away china dishes.
Raven". I afterwards bought that boat from We had hundreds of coons and my youngest
Fisher and let J. N. Lummus, Jr., run in the son, Tom, and I, with my old dog "Black
boat races. He won the races in its class. Joe" caught and killed the coons. It takes a
We killed 17 of the largest rattle snakes good dog to catch a coon — they are real
South of 15th Street that I ever saw. The boys fighters.
estimated that they'Were over 100 years old. We also had millions of mosquitoes and I,
When you kill one, tie it to a stake and an- as Mayor, wrote our Florida Representatives
otherone will be coiled there the next morn- in Washington and Fisher wrote his Indiana
ing. We had thousands of rats. I advertised Representatives in Washington. We offered to
for cats and the people brought me bags full pay the Government to send someone here to
of cats. I just turned them loose on the Beach • show us how to get rid of the mosquitoes. The
and they cleaned up the rats. • Government sent us the men who cleaned up
30 • 31
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MOSQUITOES BY THE MILLIONS (1912)
Full history in book.
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J. N. LUMMUS, JR.
He was Chainman for the Engineers when Miami Beach
was started. He was Mayor of Miami Beach
when he was 26 years old,and has been
County Tax Assessor ever since.
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mosquitoes on the Panama Canal, if the Beach 1 only have one left. I sold the City 1000 at one
management carries out the plan they es- time and 50 several times. The City may have
tablished for us thete will be no mosquitoes some left. That book contains the develop-
on Miami Beach. We offered to pay the Gov- ment record from 1912 to 1918. I have the
ernment but no charge was made. I furnished Copyright from the United States of America
a man and transportation and went with them. of all photographs in it and, of course, no
At that time we had 32 varieties of mosquitoes one can use them without my permission.
on Miami Beach. I gave the Pioneers Club I am getting out this small issue just to show
when it was organized, the book "The Miracle the facts of its start and who started it.
of Miami Beach." I had 3500 'printed and Lummus Park was the City's best asset and I
32 • 33 1
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COLLINS' WOODEN BRIDGE BATHERS
Built in 1913, it was the longest wooden bridge in front of Hardies Casino in 1914.
in the world at the time. Bathing suits are much shorter now.
helped to make the Beach popular in the early
days and has held its own.
See Resolution 183, which follows: ' est promoters of improvements of Miami Beach,
and was chief among the organizers of the City of
RESOLUTION No. 183 Miami Beach, of which City he was the first
„ MAYOR and afterwards an able, discreet, and
A Resolution of the'City Council of the City of very business-like Councilman, and,
Miami Beach,Florida,naming that City Park within WHEREAS said J. N. LUMMUS anticipated that
said City which is bounded on the North by Four- said City would be a beautiful place and a play
teenth Place, on the East by the Atlantic Ocean, on ground for many people, urged the purchase of
the South by Sixth Street, and on the West by that property lying within the CITY of MIAMI
Ocean Drive. BEACH, FLORIDA, bounded on the North by
WHEREAS HONORABLE J. N. LUMMUS, with Fourteenth Place,on the East by the Atlantic Ocean,
an unusual foresight was one of the first and great- on the South by Sixth Street, and on the West by
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RESIDENCE OF S. A. BELCHER
Built in 1914. RESIDENCE OF E. B. LENT
Built in 1914. Lummus Company owed him from
$150,000 to 5250.000 all during our development.
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ADOPTED by the City Council .of the City of
IMiami Beach, Florida, this 27th Day of July,
Ocean Drive, for the purpose beautification a city park and A. D. 1921.
play-ground, and urged its for the ,
benefit of the residents and visitors of the CITY of /S/ W. E. Brown, President of City Council
MIAMI BEACH, and,.,, Attest:
M WHEREAS he has always said and done things for /S/ C. W. Tomlinson, City Clerk
the welfare of said City, Approved this 27th bay of July, A. D. 1921.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the /S/ T. E. James, Mayor
City Council of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, The City sent me a large copy engraved
that the above described City Park be, and the and framed. I have it hanging in my home.
same is hereby named, and shall hereafter be
known as LUMMUS PARK, in commemoration of There has been some confusion about Lum-
the name of one of the City's greatest benefactors. mus Park by the City Officials, but the origi-
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RESIDENCE OF GEORGE A. DOUGLASS RESIDENCE OF T. E. JAMES
Built in 1914. Built in 1914.
Mr. James was third Mayor of Miami Beach.
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parted with the Title recorded in Deed Book
145, page 202.
nal agreement between the Ocean Beach Here are the restrictions in the Contract
Realty Company and the "Town of Miami and Deed:
Beach" is recorded ip Deed Book 146 at page The property herein conveyed to the Town of
28, Records of Dade County, Florida, dated Miami Beach is conveyed exclusively for park pur-
November 5, 1915.That is not just a Reverters poses, and shall never be used for commercial or
clause but an agreement signed by all and residential purposes, and should the Town of
passed upon by the best legal talent we had Miami Beach of any time abandon this property as
park property, or use same for commercial or resi-
in Dade County and in the Supreme Court at
dential purposes; then, in such event, all rights,
that time. So Lummus Park will be a park title, and interest hereby vested in the said Town
always. The Ocean Beach Realty Company of Miami Beach be and the same shall be imme-
38 39
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RESIDENCE OF MRS. JOHN McSWEENEY t4
Built in 1914. .t f
GEORGE PERSCH BUILDING
He operated wheel chairs in 1914 and 1915
between Hardies and Collins Casino.
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diately terminated and the legal title immediately
revested in the grantor herein. these restrictions, and particularly the prop-
In 1938 the right of reverter contained in erty owners who face on the park.
the original deed from The Ocean Beach The park was given to Miami Beach by
Realty Company wags cancelled by written J. E. Lummus and J. N. Lummus.
agreement which appears in the public records For the information of all concerned, the
of Dade County, Florida, but this instrument Ocean Beach Realty Company spent more
did not in any way abrogate or terminate or than $40,000 for making and maintaining
release and discharge the basic deed restric- Lummus Park from 1912 to 1917. We built
tions against using the park for commercial a 10' sidewalk from end to end and planted
purposes, and any citizen and tax payer of most all of the coconut trees, planted the
Miami Beach would have the right to enforce whole park in Bermuda grass and watered
40 41
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a JOHN S. COLLINS' HOME
The large building is the Wofford Hotel,
CARL G. FISHER'S FIRST HOME the second hotel built on Miami Beach.
At Lincoln Rood and Ocean, built in 1915.
tFisher, Collins and Pancoast and was the last
of the Beach development.
the grass by hand. We had 12 pumps and 2 Lummus yark is worth now, if it could be
tennis courts in the park when we gave it to sold, at least 16 million dollars. The lights
Miami Beach. It is 4120 feet long—Ocean in the coconut trees at night is something that
Front from 6th Street North to the White Hall everyone should see. Mr. Aaron Courshon of
PHotel or 15th Street. the Breakwater Hofel, 920 Ocean Drive, de-
I am also satisfied that one of the causes serves the credit for the lights. It was his idea
of confusion by some of the early pioneers of and he got the City to spend $31,000 to do
the development is that Collins end was called the job.
"Miami Beach" before the Town was incor- Roy Wilson was the Lummus Company's
porated, but Collins' end was developed by Engineer and is still living. He drew the plans
42 - 43
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MRS. PHILIP CLARKSON
s-.;....w,�, ..,ta�,,, adr Is on the front steps of this house which was
shipped from Chicago in 1913, and put up in one day
P"' at 3rd Street and Collins Avenue.
THE HOOSIER POET
James Whitcomb Riley planted these trees
at James Street and Lincoln Road in 1915.
for the first causeway. Dade County got I am a member of the "Pioneer's Club of
Isham Randolph of Chicago to approve them Miami" and "Miami Beach," also a patron
and get the Government Engineers in Wash- member of the Historical Association of
ington to approve them. W. E. Brown was Southern Florida. They are all getting a copy
Carl Fisher's Engineer from start to finish- of this report and will keep it as early history.
He worked with John Levi who had charge It can all be verified in Dade County Clerk's
of Fisher's development. Carl Fisher never Office, Dade County Commisisoners Office
claimed anything but the facts as above. J. E. and the City of Miami Beach Clerk's Office.
Lummus and J. N. Lummus were his best In 1909 J. E. Lummus took up with the
friends in Dade County. Model Land Company and got it to sell to the
44 ' 45
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• GLENN H. CURTISS
Pioneer in Aviation. I gave him the use of a
landing at 12th Street and the Bay. He was training
the boys to fly for World War I in 1915.
X
TOM J. LUMMUS
Attorney with Malcomb Wisehart in the Olympia Building.
He says he has not been coon hunting in a long time.
1
of the Model Land Company and J. E. In-
kgram was Vice-President and both were per-
City of Miami for park purposes all land conal friends of J. E. Lummus who helped
bounded on the North by 3rd Street, on the
East by 3rd Avenre, on the South by 2nd build Miami and Miami Beach and helped
Street and on the West by the Miami River provide the first parks in both cities.
for $7500. except two lots that were owned Memorandum of Public Services Rendered
by B. B. Tatum, and J. E. Lummus got Tatum by J.E.Lu as a CitytOfficialy of Miami"
to sell those two lots to the City of Miami for nide man October 25. 1897 to October 21, 1900 Years
I Mayor October 22,1900 to October 25. 1903 3
park purposes for $2500, so the Park only Alderman October 26, 1903 to October 22, 1905 2
cost Miami $10,000 and the City named it Councilman Commissioner October 1921905 to
6,October
933 1, 1913 12
Lummus Park. J. R. Parrott was President TOTAL 28
46 47
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GRAND STAND I
For the Motor Boat race course. ".. " .1
The first Regatta in 1915 was in charge of Corl G. Fisher. ".-:, . . .r. il
J. N. LUMMUS HOME
Built in 1914, this property now belongs to
Mrs. Harris, 12th Street and Ocean Drive.
Photo taken March 21, 1952.
On account of J. N. Lummus, Jr. being a R
good swimmer he was Chainman for the En- Dammers & Gillett were real auctioneers. 1
gineers when they were taking the soundings I gave them the first job they had in Florida
in Biscayne Bay in 1913 to see if we had —West of Washington Avenue and South of
sufficient materialuto build up the Bay Side, 5th Street. I bought china by the carload and
and make the Motor Boat Race Course. they gave it away at their sales. Everyone got
He was Mayor of Miami Beach when he some of the china and we always had big
was 26 years old and has been County Tax crowds.
Assessor since. He was overseas in World Lummus Company used school boys to
War II and Van Kussrow and Tom Lummus plant Bermuda grass on its 500 acres of
took care of his job while he was away. Miami Beach. These boys got a free ride from
48 ' 49
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J. E. LUMMUS HOME Y».....
At 147 North River Drive,Miami.J. E.Lummus and
J. N. Lummus standing on front porch,March 20, 1952. J. N. LUMMUS AND J. E. LUMMUS
Between 12th Street and 13th Street,
•
Lummus Park, Miami Beach.
Photographed March 20, 1952.
Miami and back on the boat and 10c per hour . Pancoast Lake and Collins Avenue, built in
for work; the wind would blow the sand away 1914. I haven't a photograph of it.
if not grassed, so the boys had a big time, Irwin Collins was John S. Collins' son and
made some money`° and had a swim in the was active in all of the Collins development.
Ocean. Tom Lummus is an Attorney-at-Law in the
T. J. Pancoast was connected with Collins Olympia Building. He has the State Agency
Bridge, Casino, and other development North for the Kansas City Title Company with Mal-
of 23rd Street. He was the 2nd Mayor of comb Wiseheart and says he has not been coon
Miami Beach, also head of the Chamber of hunting in a long time.
Commerce for a long time. His big home faces The Lummus Company paid all the cost
50 .
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J. E. LUMMUS AND J. N. LUMMUS
Between 8th and 9th Streets, Lummus Park,Miami Beach. • —
Photographed March 20, 1952. h '�^
,
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MRS. J. N. LUMMUS
We were married March 5, 1930.
On December 1st, 1951, Miami Beach had
368 hotels, also 1637 apartment buildings and
5336 homes. In other words, room to accom-
ul incorporating Miami Beach and paid the modate 126,585 people.
City Clerk's salary and all other bills until Visitors to Miami Beach during the winter
the Town could get in some tax money in season are estimated to number more than a
1916. million and a quarter persons. Total number
of summer visitors is estimated at 500,000.
N. B. T. Roney built more houses than any
one man on Miami Beach in the early days, This information from the Chamber of Com-
he built "Spanish Village," Roney Plaza, the merce April 2, 1952.
Cromwell Hotel, Town House and Shore Club J. N. Lummus
and many other buildings along Collins Av- 341 N. W. 39th Street
enue South of 14th Street. Miami, Florida
52 ' 53
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