Broward County

What did downtown look like decades ago? See for yourself with these old Hollywood photos

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

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Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

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Like most downtown areas in South Florida, Hollywood’s downtown has changed through the years.

The Greyhound bus station is long gone. So are the movie theaters, some beloved restaurants and stores, a landmark hotel (although a new residential building features a replica facade).

Now, downtown Hollywood, with its cafes, boutiques and galleries, is getting ready for more than a year of major sidewalk and road improvements. As the work commences, let’s dig into the Miami Herald photo archives for a look at downtown through the decades:

From the air

Hollywood Young Circle from the air in 1986.
Hollywood Young Circle from the air in 1986. Miami Herald File
Hollywood’s Young Circle in the 1960s.
Hollywood’s Young Circle in the 1960s. Miami Herald File
In 1994, an aerial photo of U.S. 1 looking north through Young Circle in Hollywood.
In 1994, an aerial photo of U.S. 1 looking north through Young Circle in Hollywood. Miami Herald File
In 1994, an aerial photo looking west on Hollywood Boulevard from Young Circle.
In 1994, an aerial photo looking west on Hollywood Boulevard from Young Circle. Miami Herald File
This is the view in 2002 from the 18th floor of a building looking southwest from Young Circle in Hollywood.
This is the view in 2002 from the 18th floor of a building looking southwest from Young Circle in Hollywood. Miami Herald File
Aerial view of Young Circle in the 1920s looking northeast. The Great Southern Hotel is at bottom left and the ocean is at the top.
Aerial view of Young Circle in the 1920s looking northeast. The Great Southern Hotel is at bottom left and the ocean is at the top. Miami Herald File

Theaters

Hollywood Cinema, off of Young Circle in Hollywood, in 1995.
Hollywood Cinema, off of Young Circle in Hollywood, in 1995. Miami Herald File
The old Hollywood Cinema, near Young’s Circle, in 1993.
The old Hollywood Cinema, near Young’s Circle, in 1993. Miami Herald File

Publix

In 1998, the renovation results of the Publix center at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.
In 1998, the renovation results of the Publix center at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. Miami Herald File
The downtown Hollywood Publix in 1993.
The downtown Hollywood Publix in 1993. Miami Herald File

Buildings

This photo was taken in 1934, when the bank building was occupied by First National Bank of Hollywood.
This photo was taken in 1934, when the bank building was occupied by First National Bank of Hollywood. Miami Herald File
The Hollywood Bread Building on the southeast corner of Young Circle.
The Hollywood Bread Building on the southeast corner of Young Circle. Miami Herald File

Great Southern Hotel

The Great Southern Hotel in the 1920s, near Young Circle in Hollywood.
The Great Southern Hotel in the 1920s, near Young Circle in Hollywood. Miami Herald File
The Great Southern Hotel on Young Circle in Hollywood in 1991.
The Great Southern Hotel on Young Circle in Hollywood in 1991. Patrick Farrell Miami Herald File
The Great Southern Hotel in 2002.
The Great Southern Hotel in 2002. Candace West Miami Herald File

Streets

Hollywood Blvd. looking west from Young Circle in the 1970s.
Hollywood Blvd. looking west from Young Circle in the 1970s. Miami Herald File
Hollywood Boulevard in 1923
Hollywood Boulevard in 1923 Miami Herald File
Train tracks on Hollywood Boulevard
Train tracks on Hollywood Boulevard Randy Bazemore The Miami Herald / John Rogers P
Hollywood-- A crime scene in 2001 at an apartment building on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.
Hollywood-- A crime scene in 2001 at an apartment building on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. J. Albert Diaz Miami Herald File

Restaurants

O’Hara’s, a jazz bar on Hollywood Boulevard in 1999, that is now a Twin Peaks.
O’Hara’s, a jazz bar on Hollywood Boulevard in 1999, that is now a Twin Peaks. Miami Herald File
In 2006, Barry and Mary Bader of North Miami; and Kenny Bader, visiting from New City, enjoy a meal at the Coral Rose Cafe, 1840 Harrison St., in downtown Hollywood.
In 2006, Barry and Mary Bader of North Miami; and Kenny Bader, visiting from New City, enjoy a meal at the Coral Rose Cafe, 1840 Harrison St., in downtown Hollywood. Marsha Halper Miami Herald File
Shuckums restaurant in 2000 gets a crowd from the Y-100 Wing Ding.
Shuckums restaurant in 2000 gets a crowd from the Y-100 Wing Ding. Candace West Miami Herald File
In 1999, workers put the finishing touches on the new La Piazza at Young Circle and Hollywood Boulevard, with stores and restaurants on the bottom and apartments above.
In 1999, workers put the finishing touches on the new La Piazza at Young Circle and Hollywood Boulevard, with stores and restaurants on the bottom and apartments above. Miami Herald File

Galleries

In 2005, art patrons and artists packed the newest addition to downtown Hollywood’s art scene during the city’s latest Art Walk.
In 2005, art patrons and artists packed the newest addition to downtown Hollywood’s art scene during the city’s latest Art Walk. Eileen Soler Miami Herald File

Amphitheater

A saxaphonist performs in 1988 at the old amphitheater on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood.
A saxaphonist performs in 1988 at the old amphitheater on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood. Miami Herald File
In 2004, the old Young Circle amphitheater about to be demolished.
In 2004, the old Young Circle amphitheater about to be demolished. Miami Herald File
Work gets underway in late February 2006 for the Young Circle ArtsPark in Hollywood. The 12-acre interactive, cultural and recreational venue is at U.S. 1 and Hollywood Boulevard in downtown Hollywood.
Work gets underway in late February 2006 for the Young Circle ArtsPark in Hollywood. The 12-acre interactive, cultural and recreational venue is at U.S. 1 and Hollywood Boulevard in downtown Hollywood. Miami Herald File

This story was originally published May 12, 2023 at 10:11 AM.

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Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
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Looking back at old Miami

Photos and memories of the way South Florida used to look: its streets, stores, events and people.

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