Miami Beach

Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive in South Beach used to look like that? See for yourself

By Miami Herald Archives

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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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South Beach has certainly changed through the years.

A hot spot in the 1940s and ‘50s, the area started to feel its age in the 1960s and into the ‘80s as the population got older and poorer.

We all know what South Beach is today: a world famous neon-lit strip along Ocean Drive and a trendy collection of shops and cafes along Lincoln Road.

Let’s open the Miami Herald photo archives and take a look at both streets when South Beach was undergoing seismic change:

Ocean Drive

In 1988, the Carlyle and Cardozo hotels in Ocean Drive and 13th Street.
In 1988, the Carlyle and Cardozo hotels in Ocean Drive and 13th Street. Albert Coya Miami Herald File
The Beacon Hotel at Seventh Street and Ocean Drive in 1994.
The Beacon Hotel at Seventh Street and Ocean Drive in 1994. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
Carlyle Hotel at 1250 Ocean Dr. in South Beach.
Carlyle Hotel at 1250 Ocean Dr. in South Beach. Miami Herald File
In 1970, residents at the Victor on Ocean Drive in South Beach.
In 1970, residents at the Victor on Ocean Drive in South Beach. Bob East Miami Herald File
Leslie Hotel 1244 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, Florida
Leslie Hotel 1244 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, Florida Miami Herald File
The Victor, 1144 Ocean Dr. in South Beach.
The Victor, 1144 Ocean Dr. in South Beach. Bob East Miami Herald File
Cars head south on Ccean Drive near 12th Street.
Cars head south on Ccean Drive near 12th Street. Miami Herald File
In 1994, the Colony Hotel at 736 Ocean Dr.
In 1994, the Colony Hotel at 736 Ocean Dr. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
The Clevelander at 10th Street and Ocean Drive in 1961.
The Clevelander at 10th Street and Ocean Drive in 1961. Miami Herald File

Lincoln Road

Lincoln Road, just west of Washington Avenue.
Lincoln Road, just west of Washington Avenue. Miami Herald File


Lincoln Road in 1951.
Lincoln Road in 1951. Miami Herald File
In 1946, a view of Lincoln Road when it had car traffic.
In 1946, a view of Lincoln Road when it had car traffic. The Miami Herald
Pedestrians on Lincoln Road Mall in 1995.
Pedestrians on Lincoln Road Mall in 1995. Miami Herald File
Looking west on Lincoln Road in the 1940s.
Looking west on Lincoln Road in the 1940s. Miami Herald File
A 1945 view of Lincoln Road.
A 1945 view of Lincoln Road. Miami Herald File
A rundown Lincoln Theater on Lincoln Road in 1989.
A rundown Lincoln Theater on Lincoln Road in 1989. Randy Bazemore Miami Herald File
Riding the tram on Lincoln Road in South Beach.
Riding the tram on Lincoln Road in South Beach. Miami Herald File
A 1966 photo of the Lincoln Road tram, carried walk-weary shoppers from Washington Avenue to Alton Road and stopped anywhere along the way.
A 1966 photo of the Lincoln Road tram, carried walk-weary shoppers from Washington Avenue to Alton Road and stopped anywhere along the way. Miami Herald File
Lincoln Road Mall
Lincoln Road Mall Mark Peterschmidt Miami Herald File
Shoppers on Lincoln Road in 1981.
Shoppers on Lincoln Road in 1981. Steve Dozier Miami Herald File
A photo of Lincoln Road businesses in 1964.
A photo of Lincoln Road businesses in 1964. Miami Herald File
Traffic on Lincoln Road in the 1950s.
Traffic on Lincoln Road in the 1950s. Miami Herald File

This story was originally published July 31, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

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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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