This two story structure was built of durable Florida pine in 1897 by Ebenezer Stirrup;
its the first home on the left side of Historic Charles Ave (photo) looking west
and reminds us why Bahamians were attracted and recruited to be the earliest builders
in South Florida; Charles Ave was also home to other Bahamian immigrants who came
to work in Miami s burgeoning hotel industry; 3242 Charles Ave
Coconut Grove Cemetery
The final resting place of the earliest Black settlers in South Florida; the Coconut
Grove Cemetery Association, comprised of Miami s early prominent African American
citizens, formally organized this burial place in 1913 in the Charles Ave district
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church
The original church consisted of whites and blacks at Union Chapel from before 1884;
the Black members branched out in 1894 to form the 56 Members Church which met in
a house; shortly afterwards the church was renamed Macedonia Baptist; the church
moved to its location in 1948; Sunday worship 7:30a & 11a; 3315 Douglas Road
at Charles Ave; 305-445-6459
Dana A Dorsey Residence
An exterior peek at the home of one of Miami s most prominent black real estate
entrepreneurs in 1915; one of the first houses of its time to feature electricity
when opened; this national Historic landmark is now a private residence; no tours;
250 NW 9th St (Dana A Dorsey Street)
Greater Bethel AME Church
Founded 1896, it is one of the oldest remaining African American congregations in
the city; the church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a mixture
of grand architectural styles; Sunday worship 7:30a & 11a; 245 NW 8th Street
at NW 2nd Ave; 305-371-9102
Lyric Theatre
Recently renovated, this two story masonry vaudeville and movie theatre was its
Apollo and Miami s contribution to the Chitlin' Circuit; built by prominent
black entrepreneur Gedar Walker in 1915, it was the apex of African American entertainment
and social life in Overtown; note the prominent Miami Times mural on the site of
the theatre; 819 NW 2nd Ave at 8th Street; 305-358-1146
Historic Overtown Folklife Village
Under the leadership of Archivist Dorothy Jenkins the former "Harlem of the
South"; Overtown, is recovering from highway intrusion and "urban renewal";
although many buildings like the Sir John Hotel at Sixth St and 3rd Ave which hosted
Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and Josephine Baker are gone, there
are notable historic buildings in various stages of renovation, including: Carver
Hotel at NW 9th Street and 3rd Ave, Dr Davis Office Building at NW 2nd Ave and 10th
Street, and the Cola-Nip Building at 233-5 NW 9th Street
Booker T Washington School
First public school in South Florida to provide a 12th grade education for black
children; the recent renovation of this functioning school was accented with an
exquisite monument dedicated to the teachings of Booker T Washington; 1200 NW 6th
Ave; 305-324-8900
St John's Baptist Church
Founded in 1906; this art deco edifice was built in 1906 and is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places; now St John s Institutional Missionary Baptist
Church; youth & adult choir in this 400 congregation; Sunday worship 7:30a &
11a, 7p; 1328 NW 3rd Ave; 305-372-3877
House of God of Nazarene
One of the oldest remaining churches in Overtown district; Sunday worship 11a; 1042
NW 3rd Ave at 8th Street; 305-374-2031
Ebenezer Methodist Church
Organized in 1898 in Overtown, but moved here in 1957; notable in its worship services
and fellowship; Sunday worship 7:30a & 11:15a; 2001 NW 35th Street near 19th
Ave; 305-635-7413
Muhammad's Mosque
Miami branch of the Nation Of Islam; Sunday worship 2p; 5660 NW 7th Ave; 305-756-9136
or 0111
Masjid Al-Ansar
Orthodox Muslim mosque; opened over 30 years ago, the oldest and largest Masjid
in South Florida; Friday worship 1:30p; 5245 NW 7th Ave at 52nd Street; 305-757-8741
Lincoln Park Cemetery
With remains interred since the late 19th century it is one of the oldest Black
cemeteries in Dade County; 3001 NW 46th Street
Opa-locka City Hall
This functioning site on the National Register of Historic Places is based on the
Moorish theme derived from the tale "Ali Baba and his Forty Thieves";
you have probably seen this building on an ad; an African American mayor has headed
this community for a number of years; 777 Sharazad Blvd;
Harry Hurt Building
Another site on the National Register of Historic Places with the same Moorish Revival
architectural theme as city hall; today it is an office building owned by Opa-locka Community Development Corporation at 490 Opa-locka Blvd; 305/ 687-3545
Hampton House Motel
The historic but ruined Hampton House Motel, on NW 27th Avenue at corner of NW 42nd. Street (just north of SR 112 Expressway) was the gathering spot for Miami’s African-American movers and shakers during the final years of segregation in the 1950s and early '60s. It attracted musicians including Sam Cooke, Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown and well-known figures such as Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., who convened meetings with local civil rights activists there. was shuttered in the early 1970s after its business died following the lifting of segregation, which opened other options for black Miamians. It had been slated for demolition when the County declared it a historic landmark and purchased it. It is currently undergoing rehabilitation as a museum, cultural center and office space.