Florida Photo Archives - LIFE

The Glamour of Vintage Miami

Bill Syken — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 16:40:05 +0000

Miami was for LIFE, like it was for many American vacationers, a place to return to again and again.

Sometimes LIFE photographers went to Miami because they were following the stars. It was a place to catch Frank Sinatra goofing around with this pals, or the Beatles on tour, or Muhammad Ali celebrating with Malcolm X after winning the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston.

In one case Miami was even a backdrop to history, when the U.S Army was using the famed beach as a training camp.

But more often LIFE photographers went to Miami to showcase Americans enjoying a certain kind of leisure—the kind with fancy hotels and swimsuits and glitzy shows.

Many of the images in this collection come from a 1940 shoot by legendary LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstadt that chronicled the beginning of boom times for Miami. Here’s what LIFE had to say in its March 4, 1940 issue about Miami becoming a magnet for the leisure class:

In 1912 Miami was a sleepy town of 7,500 people and Miami Beach, three and a half miles away across a tidal lagoon, was an untidy sand bar populated primarily by crabs and mosquitos. In that year an enterprising young Indiana automobile millionaire named Carl Fischer descended on the town and, with the assistance of two elephants, Nero and Rosie, began turning it into a winter resort. Miami and Miami Beach have been booming ever since. Currently Miami has a population of about 140,000 and Miami Beach of 20,000. The two are easily the No. 1 playground of the world’s most playful nation.

Of course Miami and Miami Beach had even more growth ahead, as captured in the photos LIFE took in succeeding years. Today the populations for Miami and Miami Beach have ballooned to around 439,000 and 80,000. And that mirrors the growth of Florida as a whole. In 1940 Florida was only the 27th most populous state in America, coming in right behind West Virginia and South Carolina. Today Florida ranks 3rd in the country in population, trailing only Florida and Texas.

Many forces contributed to that population growth, including immigration, but the promise of the kind of life that Eisenstaedt captured in his photos was surely was a psychological magnet to the retirees who came to Miami and to the rest of the state to spend their retirement years among the palm trees.

Miami Beach, Florida, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation

A doorman and a row of bellhops at the entrance of Surf Club in Miami, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A Miami resort, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Miami Beach fashions, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Kayakers in a resort pool, Miami Beach, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

People sightseeing in Miami Beach, Florida, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Miami Beach, Florida, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Miami Beach fashions, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Miami juice stand, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Miami Beach, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Miami Beach during a cold spell, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Jai alai, Miami, 1940.

Alfred Eisenstaedt/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Recruits trained for war in Miami Beach, 1942.

Myron Davis/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation

Soliders in training took an ocean swim, Miami Beach, 1942.

William C. Shrout/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation

Miami, 1944.

Eliot Elisofon/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

The Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, on vacation in Miami Beach, 1955.

Robert W. Kelley/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A Miami nightclub, 1959.

Robert W. Kelley/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A Miami nightlub dancer in her off time, 1959.

Robert W. Kelley/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A Miami nightclub dancer at home, 1959.

Robert W. Kelley/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Miami, 1959.

Hank Walker/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

A windjamming tour from Miami, 1961.

Michael Rougier/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock

Muhammad Ali (right) posed at a soda fountain for Malcolm X (left, with camera) in Miami after winning the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston, 1964.

(c) Bob Gomel / Courtesy of Bob Gomel

The Beatles running on the beach in Miami, February 1964.

©Bob Gomel

Tony Bennett was out with Frank Sinatra after a performance in Miami, 1965.

John Dominis/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock

The post The Glamour of Vintage Miami appeared first on LIFE.

LIFE at Daytona: Motorcycle Madness on the Florida Sands

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 12:46:22 +0000

For years, from its inception in 1937 until the early ’60s, the prestigious Daytona 200 motorcycle race wasn’t merely run at Daytona Beach. Along with other high-speed, high-risk clashes, the 200 was run on Daytona Beach.

In 1948, LIFE magazine covered the races, both amateur and pro, at Daytona (the Road Course opened in 1936) and reported, in its April 19 issue, that “for four days last month the resort city of Daytona Beach could hardly have been noisier or in more danger if it had been under bombardment.”

Here, seven decades later, LIFE.com opens a window on that long, loud weekend that thrilled racing fans; slightly scandalized one very popular weekly magazine’s editors; and, as if proof was needed that the young sport was still in the hands of rebels and scofflaws, saw two people killed and 30 more injured in the midst of all the high-octane fun.

The 1948 event, which attracted “375 helmeted daredevils and plenty of non-racing hell-raisers,” was marred not only by deaths and injuries but, as LIFE duly noted, by classic knuckleheadism. “Because the antics of an unruly minority reflect on the dignity of motorcycling,” the magazine observed, “the American Motorcycle Association may hire special police at future races. One duty will be to restrain sophomoric cyclists who amused themselves this year by tossing firecrackers into the crowd.”

Ultimately, as LIFE tersely reported, “155 motorcycles started, only 45 finished. Winning rider, Floyd Emde, averaged 84 mph, got $2,000.” What LIFE failed to mention is that Emde (who was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998) won by the sliver-thin margin of 12 seconds; 1948 was the first time a rider led the race from flag to flag; and it was the last time an Indian Motorcycle won the 200.

Not published in LIFE. Riders ready to race, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200 weekend, 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893679.jpg" alt="Low-angle view of some of the participants in the Daytona 200 motorcycle race as they sit astride their bikes, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." />

Daytona 200 weekend, 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Daytona 200 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Spectators line the beach during the 1948 Daytona races." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Motorcycles in Daytona" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000528184-1024x796.jpg" alt="Spectators stand on the beach to watch the Daytona Beach Motorcycle Races in March 1948." />

Motorcycles in Daytona

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Two members of the South Florida Vagabonds motorcycle club drive on the beach during Daytona 200 weekend, Florida, March 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893672.jpg" alt="Two members of the South Florida Vagabonds motorcycle club drive on the beach during the Daytona 200 motorcycle race, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." />

Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948.

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Daytona Beach, 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Motorcycles Race in Florida 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893676-1024x832.jpg" alt="Spectators on the sidelines during the Daytona 200 in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948. One man holds up a sign reading 'Babe Gas'." />

Motorcycles Race in Florida 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Low on their bikes, two racers speed neck and neck across the sand during the Daytona 200, Daytona Beach, Florida, in March 1948. " caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200, 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893671-1024x756.jpg" alt="Low on their bikes, two racers speed neck and neck across the sand during the Daytona 200, Daytona Beach, Florida, in March 1948." />

Daytona 200, 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. A racer and his bike violently part company in March 1948. Quite often nothing but a narrow strip of sand separated riders from spectators when the Daytona races were in full swing. " caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200, 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000528183-1024x783.jpg" alt="A racer and his bike violently part company in Daytona 200, 1948" />

Daytona 200, 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000528181.jpg" alt="Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948" />

Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. A woman helps adjust a neckerchief over the mouth and nose of a participant in the Daytona 200, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893674-1024x802.jpg" alt="Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948" />

Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. A young boy adjusts his helmet while seated astride a miniature Indian motorbike, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200 weekend, 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893681.jpg" alt="A young boy adjusts his helmet while seated astride a miniature Indian motorbike, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." />

Daytona 200 weekend, 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948. " caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893675-1024x793.jpg" alt="Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948" />

Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Racers line up prior to the 1948 Daytona 200. Until 1961 the race was run on a 4.1-mile track on both pavement and beach; it's still considered one of the world's toughest and most prestigious bike races. " caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200 Motorcycle Race in Florida" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893678-1024x814.jpg" alt="Racers line up at the celebrated Daytona 200 motorcycle race in April 1948." />

Daytona 200 Motorcycle Race in Florida

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Fans watch the races at Daytona in 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Fans watching the races at Daytona" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893670-1024x802.jpg" alt="A sand crab's eye view of fans watching the races at Daytona." />

Fans watching the races at Daytona

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Daytona Beach, March 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona Beach, March 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000528192-1024x821.jpg" alt="Daytona Beach, March 1948" />

Daytona Beach, March 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Leg outstretched for balance, a rider steers his motorcycle across the sand during the Daytona 200, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948. " caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="A Racer Steers his motorcycle" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893666-1024x787.jpg" alt="His leg outstretched for balance, a racer (number 168) steers his motorcycle across the sand during the Daytona 200 motorcycle race, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." />

A Racer Steers his motorcycle

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Caption from LIFE. "A rider does unrehearsed acrobatics when his motorcycle upsets during the [weekend's] 100-mile race for amateurs. He recovered his equilibrium and his motorcycle to ride again." " caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200 Weekend, 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/00528191-1024x788.jpg" alt="" />

Daytona 200 Weekend, 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. The checkered flag waves as Floyd Emde wins the 1948 Daytona 200." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893669-1024x809.jpg" alt="The checkered flag waves as Floyd Emde wins the 1948 Daytona 200." />

Daytona 200 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. Floyd Emde rests on his Indian motorcycle after winning the 1948 running of the Daytona 200." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona 200 Winner Floyd Emde" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000528182-1024x793.jpg" alt="Floyd Emde rests on his Indian motorcycle after winning the 1948 running of the Daytona 200." />

Daytona 200 Winner Floyd Emde

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Not published in LIFE. On matching full-size and miniature Indian motorcycles, a man and a boy ride along the beach, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." caption="Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock" title="Daytona Beach 1948" src="https://static.life.com/wp-content/uploads/migrated/2012/03/000893677-1024x797.jpg" alt="On matching full-size and miniature Indian motorcycles, a man and a boy ride along the beach, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 1948." />

Daytona Beach 1948

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

Motorcycle Club Daytona 200

Joseph Scherschel Time & Life Pictures/Shutterstock

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