The Widow Who Created Miami: Julia Tuttle

After the passing of her husband, Julia Tuttle became the "Mother of Miami" when she created the city by inheriting a large tract of land from her father - and through her foresight and unwavering resolve, Julia Tuttle laid the foundation for the modern city.

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:21 Chapter 1: The Beginnings of Miami-Dade
6:06 Chapter 2: Seminole Moments
11:37 Chapter 3: Expansion With Flagler
15:00 Chapter 4: The Legacy of Julia Tuttle

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In the late 19th century, Miami was a sparsely populated coastal expanse, far from the bustling metropolis it would become.

The transformation of this region into a thriving city owes much to Julia Tuttle, a newly widowed visionary who defied the constraints of her time.

After her husband's passing, Tuttle moved to Miami in 1891, inheriting a large tract of land from her father.

Through her foresight and resolve, she laid the foundation for modern Miami, earning her the title "Mother of Miami."

Before Julia Tuttle's influence, the area known as "Biscayne Bay Country" was maintained by the Tequesta Indians, skilled in utilizing local resources without agriculture, relying instead on the abundant fish and native vegetation.

European engagement began with Juan Ponce de León in 1513, who noted the area during his search for the Fountain of Youth. However, it was not until Julia Tuttle's era that Miami began to transform significantly.

Tuttle's strategy to transform Miami involved establishing essential community amenities and lobbying for a railroad connection, pivotal for the area's development.

She persuaded Henry Flagler, a railroad magnate, to extend his Florida East Coast Railway to Miami, offering part of her land as an incentive.

Tuttle's efforts culminated in the railroad reaching Miami in 1896, sparking rapid growth and the official incorporation of the City of Miami.

Despite her crucial role in Miami's development, Tuttle faced financial hardships, eventually leading to her death from meningitis in 1898 at age 49.

Although her contributions were initially overshadowed, recognition of her impact has grown over the years.

Today, Tuttle's legacy is celebrated through various memorials in Miami, including the Julia Tuttle Causeway and a sculpture in Bayfront Park, ensuring her vision and determination are remembered as foundational to Miami's vibrant identity.

[oldmoneyluxury]

COMMENT: Are you a native of Miami, or Florida in general, and had you heard of Julia Tuttle before?

[emorris]

I've lived in Miami since 1967. Miami is a place that is in constant rebirth, constant transformation, constantly opening new chapters. This is a great introduction to how this all started. Thank you!

[rayBoogie]

Love it! Lots of people who live here are unaware of this rich history. Thank you for this!

[elvinpena]

Yeah I basically heard of Flagler Street and knew it was because of a person but never knew of Tuttle. There should be more places to display her vision of a great community. Thanks. I arrived here from Nicaragua since 1988. Was five. Moved out of Miami to Hollywood in I think 1996? Literally when I was going to finish my 6th grade. Graduated in June 2002. Now am 41 turning 42 in January.

[lanieparker]

Yes, I am Florida born. My grandparents relocated from Alabama to the Miami area in the 1930’s and started a landscaping/paving business. One of their big clients in the 1950’s was NASA as they developed their Cape Canaveral location. My mother attended Miami High School, graduating in the late 1940’s. I was born in Miami, but my parents (who met while working for my grandparents business) moved upstate in the early 1960s. I have great memories of swimming lessons in Biscayne Bay. We lived in various locations in Cutler Ridge, Gulfstream, and Kendall areas before the move.

[ellamaeloftus]

Very interesting documentary . Thank you

[dlambert]

I am a Miami native but have not heard of Julia Tuttle. Thank so much for catching me up!

[jeffnaslund]

My family moved here in 1967 when I was seven years old. I knew about her, and a lot of the history of the natives, but this was considerably more in-depth.

[thedirtybubble]

The Tuttle and Brickell families came from Cleveland.

[avgFloridian]

Second generation native. One side of the family was in agriculture, the other in labor that made the housing expansion possible down here. I am familiar with Tuttle, and Flagler. I live adjacent to Flagler's railway, and I know the history of my city further north a little better in relation to that. I caught another name in there that I'll have to look into. It's a variation of my family name's original spelling.

[stewartmerrell]

Born and raised in Miami, learn about her and Henry Flagler in school..😊

[edholbrook]

I was born in Coral Gables and lived in south Miami until 1964 it was a different world back then

[rdf]

I've lived in North Florida mostly all my life and I've never heard of Julia Tuttle but I'm glad I watched this video to learn a little bit about her, but if I had to guess I would say the older generations that live in Florida would know much more about her, like my dad's boomer generation, and since most of the silent and greatest generation have passed on the boomers are probably the last ones to know anything .

[oscarp]

I've lived in Miami for 42 years. I am been stuck on the Julia Tuttle causeway a few times. 😏

[ReflectingMoon]

And who built the modern Miami we know today? According to the book "Cocaine Cowboys, " a certain nose candy brought the massive influx of funds that changed and built the city.

[jorgesuarez]

I appreciate you guys getting this right after the Flagler video. Good watch

[MatthewH-hpbp]

Ah Ha! So THIS is who we have to blame….

[EngineerDJ_Julius]

these days, you have to be successful to live in Florida

[smartdoctorphysicist]

Hi I would like to visit Miami one day soon, but I don't believe I wish to live there.

[naijapropagator]

Women's contributions are unreported or undervalued. Sad😂