Story of Miami

A Miami History Podcast

Episode 20 - The Business

June 13, 2020 by Story of Miami

A colossus appears in Florida, and with stunning proficiency, conjures a brand new economic model out of the forgotten coast, reaching the very doorstep of Biscayne Bay.

Flagler’s luxurious Ponce de Leon Hotel in St. Augustine launched his project of carving a new American Riviera out of Florida. Source: Library of Congress — Flagler’s luxurious Ponce de Leon Hotel in St. Augustine launched his project of carving a new American Riviera out of Florida.
Source: Library of Congress

Flagler’s Hotel Alcazar in St. Augustine. Source: Florida Memory — Flagler’s Hotel Alcazar in St. Augustine.
Source: Florida Memory

Flagler’s Cordova Hotel in St. Augustine. Source: Florida Memory — Flagler’s Cordova Hotel in St. Augustine.
Source: Florida Memory

Flagler’s Ormond Hotel in Ormond Beach. Source: Florida Memory — Flagler’s Ormond Hotel in Ormond Beach.
Source: Florida Memory

The ornate central parlor of the Ponce hosted America’s rich and famous for decades. Source: Florida Memory — The ornate central parlor of the Ponce hosted America’s rich and famous for decades.
Source: Florida Memory

Guests at the Ponce dined in the lap of luxury. Source: Florida Memory — Guests at the Ponce dined in the lap of luxury.
Source: Florida Memory

A sample of the fare served at the Ponce. Source: Florida Memory — A sample of the fare served at the Ponce.
Source: Florida Memory

The Alcazar boasted the largest indoor swimming pool on Earth. Photo by William Henry Jackson. Source: Shorpy — The Alcazar boasted the largest indoor swimming pool on Earth.
Photo by William Henry Jackson. Source: Shorpy

Railroad builder Henry Plant was Flagler’s chief business rival in Florida. Source: Wikipedia — Railroad builder Henry Plant was Flagler’s chief business rival in Florida.
Source: Wikipedia

The Tampa Bay Hotel was Henry Plant’s answer to the Ponce. Source: Historical Florida — The Tampa Bay Hotel was Henry Plant’s answer to the Ponce.
Source: Historical Florida

The approximate route taken by the Ingraham Expedition to investigate the possibility of building a Plant System railway through the Everglades. Source: University of Florida Libraries — The approximate route taken by the Ingraham Expedition to investigate the possibility of building a Plant System railway through the Everglades.
Source: University of Florida Libraries

Citrus farming was the backbone of the emerging Florida economy, providing the critical freight clientele for Flagler’s railway. Source: Florida Memory — Citrus farming was the backbone of the emerging Florida economy, providing the critical freight clientele for Flagler’s railway.
Source: Florida Memory

As Flagler’s railway made its way down Florida’s coast, new communities popped up around the little stations along the way, such as this one at New Smyrna. Source: Library of Congress — As Flagler’s railway made its way down Florida’s coast, new communities popped up around the little stations along the way, such as this one at New Smyrna.
Source: Library of Congress

The short (and short-lived) Jupiter and Lake Worth Railway linked disparate parts of the Plant System. It was made obsolete by Flagler’s train to West Palm. Source: Library of Congress — The short Jupiter and Lake Worth Railway linked disparate parts of the Plant System. It was made obsolete by Flagler’s train to West Palm.
Source: Library of Congress

The Royal Poinciana Hotel put Palm Beach and South Florida on the map, and became Flagler’s flagship resort. Source: Florida Memory — The Royal Poinciana Hotel put Palm Beach and South Florida on the map, and became Flagler’s flagship resort.
Source: Florida Memory

The enormous edifice of the Royal Poinciana was at one point the largest wooden structure on Earth. Source: Florida Memory — The enormous edifice of the Royal Poinciana was at one point the largest wooden structure on Earth.
Source: Florida Memory

The oceanside Breakers hotel complemented the Royal Poinciana and overlooked the breaking waves of the Atlantic. This 5-star hotel still operates today. Source: Florida Memory — The oceanside Breakers hotel complemented the Royal Poinciana and overlooked the breaking waves of the Atlantic. This 5-star hotel still operates today.
Source: Florida Memory

A mule-drawn trolley carried guests between the Royal Poinciana and Breakers hotels. Source: Florida Memory — A mule-drawn trolley carried guests between the Royal Poinciana and Breakers hotels.
Source: Florida Memory