South Florida

Miami then and now: Landmarks, adult theaters, thrill rides. Recognize them?

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

South Florida has seen major changes over the decades. Yet again, some landmarks have remained the same.

Do you recognize these places?

Let's take a visual tour of South Florida.

The Dupont stood where the Royal Palm hotel was located in the Henry Flagler years.

NO. 1: MIAMI DIDN’T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE THIS. SEE 10 LANDMARKS — THEN AND NOW

Remember these sites in South Florida? | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

A showgirl from Place Pigalle By Joe Elbert

NO. 2: INSIDE THE NAKED CITY: TAKE A LOOK AT OLD BURLESQUE THEATERS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Se where they took it all off through the years. | Published April 14, 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. 3: 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

typical Street Scene in Miramar in 1961, when the population was 7,000 and houses started at $9,000 to attract retired families.

NO. 4: FROM TWO-LANE OUTPOST TO BROWARD BOOMTOWN. TAKE A LOOK AT CITY IN 1950S AND ’60S

A new home cost $9,000 back then. | Published June 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

The Hurricane rollercoaster at Boomers from I-95 between Stirling and Griffin roads in Dania Beach. By Miami Herald File

NO. 5: REMEMBER THESE SOUTH FLORIDA ATTRACTIONS AND THRILL RIDES? TAKE A LOOK

They have vanished or have moved. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

Panthers fans show their spirit as the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers take the ice for Game 1 of their 1997 first round playoff series at Miami Arena. The Panthers 3-0 win would be their last win in a playoff game until 2012. By David Bergman

NO. 6: DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE FLORIDA PANTHERS PLAYED IN MIAMI? TAKE A LOOK

Where the rat tradition was born. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by David J. Neal

Jackie Gleason jokes around with South Florida soul singer Wayne Cochran in 1967.

NO. 7: ‘THE GREAT ONE’ JACKIE GLEASON HAD A BIG ROLE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. TAKE A LOOK

Check out his TV show in Miami Beach and appearances around town. | Published June 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

Front to back, Lloyd Alvarez, seated, Chris Sloan, top right, and Cheryl Lefkowitz, back left. staffers at WAMI-TV, a new TV Station in Miami By Al Diaz

NO. 8: THESE FAMOUS TV SHOWS WERE MADE IN MIAMI. DO YOU REMEMBER THEM?

It wasn’t only about “Miami Vice.” | Published July 8, 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.