South Florida

What did Miami hotels and movie theaters look like in the old days? Take a look

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories explores the changing landscape of Miami through vintage photographs of its hotels, neighborhoods and theaters.

Old landmarks like the Americana and Dupont Plaza Hotel once welcomed guests with unique architecture and live shows. The evolution of Miami's theaters includes memorable places such as Kelly's Theater on Flagler Street and the Olympia.

The set also highlights how Fort Lauderdale's downtown lost its movie theaters and Hollywood's Greyhound bus station disappeared. Mid-Beach's Arthur Godfrey Road saw drugstores, hardware shops and local delis change into banks, boutiques, and kosher cafes, with the Giller Building as a fixture on the street.

Read the stories below.

The original Roney Plaza in Miami Beach in 1946.

NO. 1: 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

The Great Southern Hotel in the 1920s, near Young Circle in Hollywood.

NO. 2: WHAT DID HOLLYWOOD AND FORT LAUDERDALE LOOK LIKE DECADES AGO? SEE FOR YOURSELF

Do you recognize anything? | Published January 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

Arthur Godfrey Road in 1983. By C.W. Griffin

NO. 3: MIAMI BEACH’S MID-SECTION USED TO LOOK LIKE THAT? SEE THE SCENE FROM 1950S THROUGH ’90S

Here’s what 41st Street, also known as Arthur Godrey Road, was like through the years. | Published February 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

A 1950s premiere of “Return of October” at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables.

NO. 4: DO YOU REMEMBER THESE OLD MIAMI MOVIE THEATERS? SEE WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE BACK WHEN

They were like palaces. No multiplexes then. | Published March 15, 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.