From the Miami River to an island seaport
Miami’s maritime trade developed around the mouth of the Miami River, where a log pier existed by 1840. Henry Flagler’s companies later developed waterfront port facilities beside Biscayne Boulevard. The city bought the seaport in 1913, bringing this growing transport asset into municipal ownership.
Passenger services expanded in the 1940s with routes to Havana, Nassau and the Lesser Antilles. After Dade County acquired the port in the following decade, the search for more room led to Dodge Island. County officials announced the new location in July 1959.
Freight operations at the new island port began on 4 October 1964. The Miami-Dade Public Library’s archive account records the transfer of the old port’s operations by 1967. Later expansion incorporated Lummus and Sam Islands, helping create the combined cargo and cruise complex seen in the harbour today.