You may not recognize the South Beach in these photos. Take a look
South Beach — with its sexy and high-octane mix of sun and neon — has seen its fortunes sag and surge over the years.
While many of the notable Art Deco buildings that give the area its charm were constructed in the 1930s, Miami Beach had a second heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, when TV stars including Jackie Gleason helped draw tourists to the town with the backdrop of swaying palm trees and a tropical moon.
A downward spiral that followed in the ‘70s, which was halted in the mid-80s with another renewal, this time when “Miami Vice” depicted candy-colored South Beach through a new and flattering lens, equal parts alluring and dangerous.
The area has continued to thrive since then, with a celebrity-fueled club scene, the annual Art Basel influx of money and culture, and a reputation as an international playground.
Let’s take a look at South Beach’s early days through the photo archives of the Miami Herald:
Ocean Drive
South Pointe
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On the street
The hot spots
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Schools
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Lincoln Road
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The area
This story was originally published February 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM.