Miami Beach

What did South Beach used to look like? These old photos show life in the 1950s and ’60s

The traffic along Lincoln Road in the 1950s.
The traffic along Lincoln Road in the 1950s. 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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You didn’t think South Beach was always about partying, did you?

Sure, the area has evolved into one of the most recognized in the world. Restaurants. Clubs. Boutique hotels. When the changes started happening in the 1980s and ‘90s, the modeling industry flocked to the shore to capture the most beautiful people among the backdrop of Art Deco and the Atlantic.

But South Beach in the ‘50s and ‘60s was a different place. A more everyday place.

Yes, there were tourists and hotels and nightclubs. But there were also regular people doing regular things.

Shoppers flocked to Lincoln Road, which became a pedestrian-only mall in 1960. Retirees from up North settled into the motels that dotted Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive.

They shopped for the biggest and cheapest cuts of meat at Thrifty Supermarket and went to Yiddish theater. They ate corned beef on rye at Wolfie’s and lounged on beach chairs at Lummus Park or on the motel porch.

We did some digging in the Miami Herald archives to give you a taste of what South Beach once looked like. The grittier Espanola Way. The construction of the 14-story bank building on Lincoln Road with the electronic time and temperature sign on the roof. What the theaters were featuring back in the day.

Those times may be gone, but it’s always worth remembering how the place once looked.

Landmark bank

Miami Beach Federal Savings and Loan on Lincoln Road in 1958.
Miami Beach Federal Savings and Loan on Lincoln Road in 1958. Bill Kuenzel Miami Herald File
Miami Beach Federal building under construction at Lincoln Road and Washington Aveue in 1956.
Miami Beach Federal building under construction at Lincoln Road and Washington Aveue in 1956. Steve Wever Miami Herald File
A Lincoln Road street scene.
A Lincoln Road street scene. Miami Herald File
A landmark bank building under construction on Lincoln Road in the mid-1950s.
A landmark bank building under construction on Lincoln Road in the mid-1950s. Miami Herald File

Espanola Way

Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas during the filming “Miami Vice” on Espanola Way. In the background is Beach Poultry at 429 Espanola Way.
Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas during the filming “Miami Vice” on Espanola Way. In the background is Beach Poultry at 429 Espanola Way. Miami Herald
Early Espanola Way in South Beach.
Early Espanola Way in South Beach. Miami Herald File
The Clay Hotel on Espanola Way and Washington Avenue in 1998.
The Clay Hotel on Espanola Way and Washington Avenue in 1998. Miami Herald File / 1998 herald

Lincoln Road

Wolfie’s deli on Collins Avenue.
Wolfie’s deli on Collins Avenue. Miami Herald File
Shoppers stroll Lincoln Road Mall in 1961.
Shoppers stroll Lincoln Road Mall in 1961. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald / 1961
Lincoln Road Mall in 1993. The landmark building once housed Woolworth and Barnett Bank.
Lincoln Road Mall in 1993. The landmark building once housed Woolworth and Barnett Bank. Candace Barbot Miami Herald File
Built in 1919, this bayfront home at Lincoln Road in Miami Beach was eventually torn down to make way for an apartment development, E.M. Hancock, who retired from the Beach Building Department last year after 28 years, said the home was built in 1919, the same year Hancock came to Florida. Carl Fisher Co. put up the residence and the first owner was Harry Stutz, the man who built the Bearcat auto. A. Dr. Edwards bought it in 1923. He was the manufacturer of an olive tablet patent medicine. Attorney Julian Southern bought the place in 1934.
Built in 1919, this bayfront home at Lincoln Road in Miami Beach was eventually torn down to make way for an apartment development, E.M. Hancock, who retired from the Beach Building Department last year after 28 years, said the home was built in 1919, the same year Hancock came to Florida. Carl Fisher Co. put up the residence and the first owner was Harry Stutz, the man who built the Bearcat auto. A. Dr. Edwards bought it in 1923. He was the manufacturer of an olive tablet patent medicine. Attorney Julian Southern bought the place in 1934. Miami Herald File
The new Lincoln Road pedestrian mall in 1960.
The new Lincoln Road pedestrian mall in 1960. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File / 1960
The traffic along Lincoln Road in the 1950s.
The traffic along Lincoln Road in the 1950s. Miami Herald File
Richards Department Store on Lincoln Road in 1940.
Richards Department Store on Lincoln Road in 1940. Miami Herald File
A tram on Lincoln Road Mall in the eary 1960s. The tram service ran along the pedstrian mall from Washington Avenue to Alton Road.
A tram on Lincoln Road Mall in the eary 1960s. The tram service ran along the pedstrian mall from Washington Avenue to Alton Road. Miami Herald File.

Theaters

The Colony Theater on Lincoln Road in the 1960s.
The Colony Theater on Lincoln Road in the 1960s. Miami Herald File
The -Cinema Theatre at 1235 Washington Ave. in 1977, at the time the leading Yiddish theater in Miami Beach and later to become the club Mansion.
The -Cinema Theatre at 1235 Washington Ave. in 1977, at the time the leading Yiddish theater in Miami Beach and later to become the club Mansion. Miami Hrald File / 1977
The Carib Theater at night.
The Carib Theater at night. Miami Herald File
The Carib Theater on Lincoln Road in 1971. It features a raised porcelain facade that reveals a colorful map of the Caribbean area, including South Florida.
The Carib Theater on Lincoln Road in 1971. It features a raised porcelain facade that reveals a colorful map of the Caribbean area, including South Florida. David Smith Miami Herald File / 1971

The people

The Miami Beach Senior Center on Espanola Way holds a “Community Drum Circle.”
The Miami Beach Senior Center on Espanola Way holds a “Community Drum Circle.” MARICE COHN BAND Miami Herald File \ 1999
A group of retired people relax at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach.
A group of retired people relax at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach. Hector Gabino El Nuevo Herald File
Residents on a motel porch. From Miami Herald archives via the book “Miami Beach,” with photographs by Gary Monroe and Andy Sweet.
Residents on a motel porch. From Miami Herald archives via the book “Miami Beach,” with photographs by Gary Monroe and Andy Sweet. Handout photo
Mona Fullmore, left, and Pat Fisher in a groundbreaking ceremony Lincoln Road Mall
Mona Fullmore, left, and Pat Fisher in a groundbreaking ceremony Lincoln Road Mall Miami Herald File
Vietnam war protesters during the 1972 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach.
Vietnam war protesters during the 1972 Republican National Convention in Miami Beach. Florida State Archives

This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 11:41 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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