South Florida

South Florida has changed through the decades. Do you recognize these places?

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Miami’s transformation stands out in every corner, from downtown’s Flagler Street to the luxury towers that replaced historic hotels like the Americana and Dupont Plaza.

Early photos of Miami Lakes reveal a landscape of farmland, planned lakes and the Shula family home before the suburb bloomed. Little Havana evolved from a Southern-Jewish neighborhood into a vibrant hub of Cuban and Latin American culture, centered on Calle Ocho and spots like Versailles restaurant.

Key West’s Duval Street has made way for tourism and chain stores, yet still preserves its character. Even famous intersections such as 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard reflect layers of history.

Take a look at all of these old photos.

A sign in Miami Lakes in 1981. By Andrew Innerarity

NO. 1: MIAMI LAKES USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE THE SHULA HOME, COWS AND EARLY SHOPPING CENTERS

Remember when? | Published September 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The original Roney Plaza in Miami Beach in 1946.

NO. 2: HOTELS IN MIAMI USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE LANDMARKS THAT HELPED PUT THE 305 ON MAP

Take a look at these photos for a step back in time. | Published October 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

Dupont Plaza, flanked by with highway ramps, seen in 1968 from first National Bank Building.

NO. 3: REMEMBER WHEN SOUTH FLORIDA LOOKED LIKE THIS? SEE THE STREETS, CLUBS, HOTELS, STORES

There’s some history here. | Published October 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Miami Herad Archives

A meeting of different generations in the Miami area in 1969. By Bob East

NO. 4: MIAMI WAS ONCE A HIPPIE HANGOUT. SEE HOW THE STREETS LOOKED DURING THE 1960S AND ’70S

Peace, love, drugs and long hair. | Published October 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The Little Havana business district in the 1960s.

NO. 5: LITTLE HAVANA USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE THE OLD PICTURES FROM THE 1960S, ’70S AND ’80S

The president had lunch there. | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archive

President Harry Truman drives his own car in Key West in 1946.

NO. 6: IS THAT THE PRESIDENT AT A DUVAL STREET DINER? SEE KEY WEST THROUGH THE YEARS

Let’s take a step back in time. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The road along Northeast 79th Street east of the railroad tracks and looking toward Biscayne Boulevard.

NO. 7: THIS MIAMI AREA HAS BEEN A PLACE FOR PROTEST, PORN AND SHOPPING. TAKE A LOOK

Let’s take a step back in time as we head to the intersection. | Published May 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.