Downtown Miami

This waterway has seen drugs, bombs, sewage, tourists. How the Miami River has changed

By Miami Herald Archives

Five miles long, the Miami River has gone from a crystal clear wild river to gritty urban sprawl.

Its early settlers, the Tequestas, shared the river’s banks and pools with panthers and alligators. In the first half of the 20th century, the Miami River Rapids area was dredged and dynamited to build the Miami Canal, part of an Everglades drainage project.

Henry Flagler came to the Miami River and built the Royal Palm Hotel, giving visitors a glimpse of the Everglades. By the 1950s, 25 sewage outlets spewed raw untreated sewage into the river.

The waterway served as the stage for the River Cops corruption scandal during the drug smuggling heydays of the 1980s.

Today the river’s murky waters are lined with a haphazard mix of marinas, fishing docks, cargo freight terminals, historic homes, vacant lots, parks, pedestrian green-ways, restaurants and high-rise condos, with more residential towers on the way.

Here is a look at the Miami River through the years, in all of its grit and glory, from the Miami Herald photo archive:

Boaters canoe up the Miami River for a water parade in 1994.
Boaters canoe up the Miami River for a water parade in 1994. Jeffery A. Salter Miami Herald File
Early fog along the Miami River in 1970.
Early fog along the Miami River in 1970. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
Miami investigators, top, discuss damage to a Bahamian-registered lobster boat tied up in the Miami River in 1976. Bottom photo shows damage inside wheel house.
Miami investigators, top, discuss damage to a Bahamian-registered lobster boat tied up in the Miami River in 1976. Bottom photo shows damage inside wheel house. Miami Herald File
In 1977, a freighter outside Merrill-Stevens boatyard on the Miami River.
In 1977, a freighter outside Merrill-Stevens boatyard on the Miami River. Bob East Miami Herald File
A bombed boat on Miami River in 1975.
A bombed boat on Miami River in 1975. Miami Herald File
Del Rio Apartments on the Miami River & West Flagler Street, as seen from bridge.
Del Rio Apartments on the Miami River & West Flagler Street, as seen from bridge. Miami Herald File
In 1977, a boat on Miami River loaded with banannas and 130 pounds of heroin.
In 1977, a boat on Miami River loaded with banannas and 130 pounds of heroin. Bob East Miami Herald File
Haitian freighter Arastasie sinking in the bottom of the Miami River in the mid-1980s.
Haitian freighter Arastasie sinking in the bottom of the Miami River in the mid-1980s. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File
The Only One Express couldn’t get out of the Miami River due to unstable cargo that made the ship lean to one side in 1989. Ten cars were unloaded to get the ship straight.
The Only One Express couldn’t get out of the Miami River due to unstable cargo that made the ship lean to one side in 1989. Ten cars were unloaded to get the ship straight. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File
Brickell Point at the mouth of the Miami River.
Brickell Point at the mouth of the Miami River. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File
Bridge over Miami River and Brickell in 1993.
Bridge over Miami River and Brickell in 1993. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
In 1981, the 143-foot freighter Moctezuma tied up at the Miami River and Northwest 13th Street. This boat was seized by Customs.
In 1981, the 143-foot freighter Moctezuma tied up at the Miami River and Northwest 13th Street. This boat was seized by Customs. John Walther Miami Herald File
Florida East Coast train trestle over the Miami River in 1971.
Florida East Coast train trestle over the Miami River in 1971. Miami Herald File
Garbage washed ashore at Sewell Park on the Miami River in 1989.
Garbage washed ashore at Sewell Park on the Miami River in 1989. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
In 1945, cleanup on the Miami River aimed to clear a stream of floating debris that endangers small boats.
In 1945, cleanup on the Miami River aimed to clear a stream of floating debris that endangers small boats. Miami Herald File
The Miami River looking toward downtown.
The Miami River looking toward downtown. Miami Herald File
Fishing on the Miami River in 1975.
Fishing on the Miami River in 1975. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
A scene along the Miami River in 1967.
A scene along the Miami River in 1967. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File
An abandoned boat on Miami River.
An abandoned boat on Miami River. Miami Herald File
In 1991, these ships are loaded with goods on the Miami River and headed for Haiti.
In 1991, these ships are loaded with goods on the Miami River and headed for Haiti. Michelle Patterson Miami Herald File
Pumps and barges are used to try to keep a boat from blocking a Miami River channel
Pumps and barges are used to try to keep a boat from blocking a Miami River channel Bob East Miami Herald File
U.S. Custom with chopper pad on the Miami River in 1979.
U.S. Custom with chopper pad on the Miami River in 1979. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File
In 1947, the three-masted schooner Caroline on the MIami River while being outfitted for shark fishing in South America.
In 1947, the three-masted schooner Caroline on the MIami River while being outfitted for shark fishing in South America. Miami Herald File
An oil barge navigates the Miami River in 1959.
An oil barge navigates the Miami River in 1959. Miami Herald File
A sightseeing cruise makes its way up the Miami River.
A sightseeing cruise makes its way up the Miami River. Miami Herald File
In 1991, the facade of the Miami River Inn as owner Sallye Jude peeks from the third floor front window of the Rose Arms building, one of five refurbished buildings.
In 1991, the facade of the Miami River Inn as owner Sallye Jude peeks from the third floor front window of the Rose Arms building, one of five refurbished buildings. Mirice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
In 1955, Key West-Havana ferry boat undergoes repairs at the Merrill-Stevens dock on the Miami River.
In 1955, Key West-Havana ferry boat undergoes repairs at the Merrill-Stevens dock on the Miami River. Mike Freeman Miami Herald File
Miami River boat traffic boat traffic in 1960, ahead of Hurricane Donna.
Miami River boat traffic boat traffic in 1960, ahead of Hurricane Donna. John Pineda Miami Herald File
In 1965, heavy boat traffic along the Miami River ahead of a hurricane.
In 1965, heavy boat traffic along the Miami River ahead of a hurricane. Bob East Miami Herald File
Small boats head for calm waters in the upper Miami River ahead of a storm.
Small boats head for calm waters in the upper Miami River ahead of a storm. Miami Herald File
Boats gather along the Miami River ahead of Hurricane David in 1979.
Boats gather along the Miami River ahead of Hurricane David in 1979. Murry Sill Miami Herald File
A building on the bank of the Miami River in 1962.
A building on the bank of the Miami River in 1962. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File

This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 9:42 AM.

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