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The area of now Morningside dates back to Miami's pioneer days when, in 1886, the John Saunders family, Bahamas-born and Keys-reared, became squatters on land later known as Lemon City. The community grew along current day 61st Street, then called Lemon Avenue, where a curve in the shoreline created a natural harbor which allowed a deep water dock.
In 1922, entrepreneurs platted the development of Bay Shore, which eventually became what we now know as Morningside. While other Miami subdivisions were being marketed undeveloped and unimproved, Bay Shore had natural gas lines, sanitary sewers, fresh water from the company's own water plant, elegant street lighting and fully developed streets with wide medians, curbed parkways, and sidewalks.
By 1927, over 40 houses had been constructed in Bay Shore, several of which were located west of current day Biscayne Boulevard.
Construction slowed after the Boom went bust, but 27 more houses were built between 1927 and 1935. An improving economy allowed the construction of an additional 80 houses prior to World War II. After the way, pent up demand led to a boom in construction as the boundary of Morningside expanded southward to NE 50 Terrace and many of the house there were constructed.
In the 1970s, many residents of our urban neighborhood fled to the suburbs, but a dedicated band of activists fought back and prevailed upon City leaders to protect Morningside. In 1984, Morningside was designated as the City of Miami's first historic district. In 1992, the neighborhood was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Bay Shore Historic District.
(Adapted from the "Morningside Neighborhood Directory")
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