Miami, FL

Ebenezer Stirrup Residence
DESCRIPTION: This two-story structure was built of durable Florida pine in 1897 by Ebenezer Stirrup; its the first home on the left side of Historic Charles Ave (photo) looking west and reminds us why Bahamians were attracted and recruited to be the earliest builders in South Florida; Charles Ave was home to Bahamian immigrants who came to work in Miami’s burgeoning hotel industry

ADDRESS: 3242 Charles Ave  MAP

Coconut Grove Cemetery
DESCRIPTION: The final resting place of the earliest Black settlers in South Florida; the Coconut Grove Cemetery Association, comprised of Miami’s early prominent African American citizens, formally organized this Charlotte Jane burial place in 1913

ADDRESS: Charles Ave at South Douglas Road  MAP

Lincoln Park Cemetery
DESCRIPTION: With remains interred since the late 19th century it is one of the oldest Black cemeteries in Dade County

ADDRESS: 3001 NW 46th Street  MAP

Dana A. Dorsey Residence
DESCRIPTION: An exterior peek at the home of one of Miami’s most prominent black real estate entrepreneurs in 1915; one of the first houses of its time to feature electricity when opened; this national Historic landmark is now a private residence; no tours

ADDRESS: 250 NW 9th Street (Dana A Dorsey Street)  MAP

Historic Overtown Folklife Village
DESCRIPTION: Under the leadership of Archivist Dorothy Jenkins and the Overtown Collective, the former “Harlem of the South”; Overtown, is recovering from highway intrusion and “urban renewal”; although many buildings like the Sir John Hotel at Sixth St and 3rd Ave which hosted Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and Josephine Baker are gone, there are notable historic buildings in various stages of renovation

ADDRESS: Carver Hotel at NW 9th Street and 3rd Ave, Dr Davis Office Building at NW 2nd Ave and 10th Street, and the Cola-Nip Building at 233-5 NW 9th Street  MAP

Booker T. Washington School & Monument
DESCRIPTION: First public school in South Florida to provide a 12th grade education for black children; the recent renovation of this functioning school was accented with an exquisite monument dedicated to the teachings of Booker T Washington

ADDRESS: 1200 NW 6th Ave  MAP

PHONE: 305-324-8900

Miami Beach, FL

South Florida Boxing
DESCRIPTION: This gym is a re-birth of the 5th Street Gym where then heavyweight boxing champ, Muhammad Ali, trained under Angelo Dundee

ADDRESS: 715 Washington Ave; original gym was at 5th & Washington  MAP

PHONE: 305-672-8262



Opa-Locka, FL

Opa-Locka City Hall
DESCRIPTION: This functioning site on the National Register of Historic Places is based on the Moorish theme derived from the tale “Ali Baba and his Forty Thieves”; you have probably seen this building on an ad; an African American mayor has headed this community for a number of years

ADDRESS: 777 Sharazad Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 305-688-4611

Harry Hurt Building
DESCRIPTION: Another site on the National Register of Historic Places with the same Moorish Revival architectural theme as city hall; today it is an office building

ADDRESS: 490 Opa-Locka Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 305/ 687-3545

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Sistrunk Corridor
DESCRIPTION: Though integration has caused some middle income resident and business flight, the historic core of African American Fort Lauderdale still beats strong and true in this corridor; you can find Black beauty salons and barbershops and other small businesses along with a library and multi-purpose community center; explore the area for the most soulful experience in Black Fort Lauderdale

ADDRESS: 15 Blocks west along Sistrunk Blvd (NW 6th Street)  MAP

 

Provident Hospital & Von Mizell Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1938 by Dr. James Sistrunk, Dr. Von Mizell and Leona Collins; this site held the first hospital for African Americans in Broward county; when integration permitted patients to visit Broward General Hospital it sounded a death-knell for Provident, which closed in the mid-1960s; the hospital was converted into the Von Mizell Cultural Center & Library and named in honor of Dr. Mizell, who was also a Civil Rights leader; the scope of service provided by the center outgrew this location, so in 2002 the library and cultural center moved to a newer, larger location that became the African American Research Library & Cultural Center; now serves as community center and home for a number of public service activities

DAYS & HOURS: daily Mon-Fri

ADDRESS: 1409 Sistrunk Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 954-828-4538