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Miami Beach, Florida

Souvenir of Miami Beach, Florida.

1917

Miami Beach, a separate municipality across Biscayne Bay from the city of Miami, is directly on the Atlantic ocean. It is connected with the mainland by three causeways which have their terminus in the northern, central, and southern sections of the city.

Sunshine and gentle breezes—summer all winter-bathing in the Atlantic ocean, warmed by the gulf stream—playtime all the time in perfect weather and comfort—palatial homes and unsurpassed hotel and apartment accommodations; all these have been combined to make Miami Beach a land of health and pleasure. Bathing, casinos, golf courses, polo fields, public and private bathing beaches along the ocean, tropical parks and modern recreational equipment are all furnished in abundance. Every facility to amuse the mind and upbuild the body in semi-tropical comfort in mid-winter has been provided. Little children tumble in warm, clean sand while father and mother bask in sunshine or plunge into the blue-green waters of the inviting Atlantic ocean, or the calmness of a salt-water pool. Bathing at Miami Beach is enjoyed along seven miles of protected beaches within the city limits. Along this stretch are seven casinos with accommodations varying from private "cabanas" in the exclusive Miami Beach bath club, to moderately priced dressing rooms and lockers. there are 16 blocks of municipally owned oceanfront parks where efficient lifeguards keep careful watch over bathers. The beach patrol keeps the gently sloping sand beaches spotlessly clean.

It is unusual to find golf courses in the very center of a city, surrounded by apartment, hotel and residential living quarters, but Miami Beach was platted as a winter playcenter and both the Miami Beach municipal links and the Miami Beach bayshore course are situated in the center of activity. they are within a block of each other and midway between the atlantic ocean and biscayne bay.

Yachting activities start early in the season and reach their climax when hundreds of craft gather along the picturesque flamingo regatta course for the annual Miami Beach regatta late in march.

Fishing boats ply every day out to the gulf stream with amateur izaak waltons. There is nothing tame about battling with the large denizens of these sub-tropical waters, and the excitement of bringing in that elusive finny rascal that is trying to get away with a good hook, line and sinker. Minor troubles are apt to disappear. Imagine the glee of landing a game sailfish after a thrilling battle. Or catching a bonita or any one of the strange fish that inhabit the gulf stream, about 3.5 miles off shore.

Motoring here is a delight. A variety of fascinating tours intrigue the motorist. Three great causeways to miami for a drive along the ocean: across the Everglades on the new Tamiami Trail through the most fertile agricultural region in the world and the home of the gay-garbed Seminole Indian; through suburbs where imposing gateways and attractive homes carry the atmosphere of old Spain; through coconut grove, noted as the site of many extensive estates; through the Florida Keys on the famous new Overseas Highway: or a score of other jaunts equally interesting.

Source:
Excerpt from "Souvenir of Miami Beach, Florida." Published by Pictorial Centre, Miami, Fla. Postmarked 1917.

Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers
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