Get To Know South Miami
The origins of South Miami date back to the turn of the 20th century, when pioneers were drawn to the fertile farmlands in the area. In 1897, W.A. Larkins, a pioneer and founder of South Miami, settled in the area with his family and established a dairy and post office. Upon the completion of the Miami-Homestead extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad in 1906, Larkins opened a grocery and general supply store, and the surrounding community was renamed after him.
By 1917, the population of Larkins had grown to 350, and the real estate boom of the 1920s had a significant impact on the town. In 1926, Larkins was incorporated as the Town of South Miami, with Judge W.A. Foster elected as its first mayor. The great hurricane of 1926 and the burning down of the Florida East Coast Railway station were major challenges for the town, but it persevered and was eventually renamed the City of South Miami in 1927. In the early 1930s, the city faced financial problems and local dissension, leading to a reduction in its size. During World War II, development slowed but picked up again in the post-war period, leading to the implementation of a city manager-commission form of government in 1953. Today, South Miami is experiencing significant growth and redevelopment, and is known for its unique "small-town" atmosphere.