Map of the City of Miami and Environs Florida

“Miami Rising From the Greatest Hurricane In History.” – Text, verso.

In the early morning hours of September 18th, 1926, a devastating hurricane struck the coast near Miami, Florida and crossed the peninsula into the Gulf of Mexico. The surge of water completely inundated Miami Beach, the barrier islands, and much of downtown and Coral Gables. It was among the costliest tropical storms in U.S. history, ultimately causing approximately $100 million in property damage and over 370 fatalities.

This map of the city was compiled and drawn locally by Sauer and Segy and published shortly after the hurricane struck by A.C. Douglas Printing Company. While no mention of the storm can be seen within the image, numerous photographs on the verso highlight the intense destruction. A brief message of hope by Truman Felt of the Miami Daily News and an aerial view of Miami (before the hurricane) are also provided.

The map provides a detailed overview of a city that, up until that point, was in the midst of a land boom. The presence of proposed harbor extensions, ambitious expansion in the Venetian Isles (much would be unrealized), and numerous recreational facilities (golf courses, casinos, beaches, etc.) reflect optimism and profitability in the region’s future. The densely built-up downtown district is surrounded by largely empty subdivisions, expected by many to fill in rapidly by the end of the decade.

However, this was not to be, thanks in large part to the 1926 hurricane. According to PBS American Experience, “While Miami Beach was able to rebuild structurally in a few months (though a smaller hurricane in October 1926 temporarily set back progress), financially it would take years. In 1927 tourism was down, and land buyers were defaulting on their payments with increased frequency. The resurgence in tourism and land sales that Miami Beach enjoyed in 1928 and ’29 would be short-lived. Another disaster — the Stock Market crash — was on its way.”

Source: PBS