Miami Beach has established itself as one the most popular areas in Florida, and the United States. Development of this famous city began in the early 1900's. The first large growth resulted after the Lummus Brothers acquired 400 acres of land. Next, they developed the Ocean Beach Realty Company. The following year a man named Carl Fisher arrived in the area. He also had a vision and he acquired land which linked him with the Lummus project. He constructed the Collins Bridge. This bridge was important because it connected Miami and Miami Beach.

The following year, 1914, the first hotel, the W.J. Brown Hotel, opened in Miami Beach. This also brought about the opening of Collins Avenue which was the first paved road accommodating automobiles. The immediate future brought about a number of changes, many of them resulting from the work of the Lummus Brothers and Collins. One of these was the Lummus Brothers offer of free lots to any person who promised to build a home of the land. Then, in 1917, Miami Beach changed status from a town to a city.

The Roaring 20s and Miami Beach Boom

In 1920 the Miami Beach land boom really took hold. During that decade such people as Harvey Firestone, J.C. Penney, and Albert Champion - all millionaires, built personal mansions on a three-mile area of Collins Avenue. It became known as 'Millionaire's Row.' Also this decade brought about the opening of golf courses, Miami Beach hotels, a trolley car system, and then, in 1926, a major hurricane hit South Florida. It caught residents by surprise and resulted in the loss of life as well as huge property damages.

The decade of the '30's brought about a boom in art deco buildings. This decade saw the growth of Miami Beach to 6500 residents. The first decade of the '40's brought the population to 28,000. By the first year of the '50's the population soared to 46,300. This was the decade the world-famous Fontainebleau Hotel opened in the beach city. This was followed by the Eden Rock Hotel. Then, in the last year of that decade Fidel Castro became the leader of Cuba. This resulted in an exodus of Cuban refugees finding respite in Miami.

The 60's onto Today

The '60's brought the population to 63,200. The decade brought a great name to everyone's home once a week when Jackie Gleason began telecasting from Miami Beach. In the 1970's the Miami Dolphins completed an undefeated season and won the Super Bowl. The 80's brought the Mariel boatlift which brought 140,000 Cubans to Florida. The following decade saw the Greater Miami area grow to two million. This was the decade that brought the $30 billion devastating hurricane to south Dade County, Hurricane Andrew. Finally, the Electrowave bus service began operating in Miami Beach.

Our present decade saw Miami Beach named as the Number One Urban Beach by the Surfrider Foundation. Early in this decade Miami Beach went online with 411. The population has grown to 88,000. Millions of people visit Miami Beach every year for many different reasons. Some come for vacations, while some come for weddings and Miami Beach wedding receptions. On March 26, 2003 Miami Beach celebrated its 88th birthday. This vivacious, exciting city will have more to come in the future.

The author of this article ones the finest Miami Beach hotels. With the great expertise the author has planned several Miami Beach wedding receptions. This article reveals the knowledge of the author on Miami Beach hotels http://www.oceanpointresort.com/wedding/wedding_special_events.cfm.