The Decades: 1850 – 1889

The second episode of the Miami History Channel will share the story of the wilderness of Southeast Florida prior to incorporation. Although Miami was not the center of many of the mid-nineteenth century conflicts, there were certainly notable events that impacted what was mostly a small outpost until incorporation.

Episode two is a continuation of the series called “The Decades”. Although not quite keeping to the customary definition of a single decade, it provides an overview of what the area around Biscayne Bay and the Miami River was like prior to the incorporation of the City of Miami.

The outline for Episode 2 is as follows:

Scene 1: Mid-19th Century Conflicts

  • Fort Desolation
  • Fort Dallas
  • Military Road
  • Wagner Family
  • Scene 2: Post Civil War
  • Gleason & Hunt
  • Election of 1876
  • Homestead Acts

Scene 3: People of Mid-19th Century

  • Beasleys
  • Brickells
  • Sturtevant & Julia Tuttle
  • Porter & Coconut Grove
  • Ralph Munroe

Scene 4: Economic Endeavors of Pre-Miami

  • Wrecking
  • Coontie Mills
  • Farming
  • Barefoot Mailman

Scene 5: Early Settlements

  • Miami Beach
  • Biscayne Bay Company
  • Coconut Grove
  • Lemon City
  • Cutler

The time period from 1849 to 1890 would set the stage for the key pioneers that would be instrumental in the founding of the City of Miami, as well as, the building and development of the city for the following decades. Learn about the people and events of the mid-nineteenth century.