History of Overtown

In March 1896, a group of Black men left Henry Flagler’s Royal Poinciana Hotel in Palm Beach to help build the Royal Palm Hotel in Miami. One month later, the Florida East Coast Railway was extended to the Miami area. These men worked tirelessly to construct the city’s hotels and railroads, laying the foundation for Miami’s infrastructure. During this time, they built their homes in an area that came to be known as “Colored Town,” located across the railroad tracks. That same year, 368 residents voted for the incorporation of the City of Miami—162 of them were Black men, accounting for 44% of the electorate. Many were employed by Flagler to clear land around Biscayne Bay for the Royal Palm Hotel.

By 1904, over 40 businesses had opened in what was then known as “Colored Town.” A poster in the City of Miami Directory highlighted a vibrant business community that included fine wine and cigar shops, reflecting a growing and diverse local economy.

Built by Geder Walker, the 400-seat Lyric Theatre became a cultural landmark and a major entertainment venue for Miami’s Black community. The Miami Metropolis described it as “the most beautiful and costly playhouse owned by Colored people in the Southland.”

By the mid-1910s, Overtown was a bustling neighborhood home to barbershops, beauty salons, grocery stores, churches, schools, a millinery, and a drugstore. Families from surrounding areas such as Lemon City (now Little Haiti) and Coconut Grove frequently visited to shop and dine.

During this period, Overtown thrived as a cultural and entertainment hub, earning the nickname “Miami’s Little Broadway.” Due to segregation laws and social customs, Black performers such as Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Aretha Franklin were barred from staying in Miami Beach. Instead, they performed and stayed in Overtown, contributing to its vibrant nightlife and cultural scene.

Construction of I-95, I-395, and later State Road 836 cut through Overtown, displacing thousands of residents and destroying much of the neighborhood’s business district. This infrastructure project dismantled the community and forced many residents to relocate to areas like Liberty City, Little Haiti, Brownsville, and Opa-locka—often without assistance.

Thanks to the support of community organizations and volunteers, Overtown is experiencing a resurgence. Historic buildings are being restored, new housing and facilities are being developed, and the cultural identity of the neighborhood is being preserved and celebrated.

The Underdeck is a planned 33-acre public space beneath I-395 that will reunite North and South Overtown and reconnect adjacent neighborhoods. The green space will stretch from Gibson Park to the museums along Biscayne Bay, helping to restore unity and community spirit to the area.