Overview
Since
the 1920's, the Detroit-based Miami Beach Heights Corporation (headed by
industrialists Robert C. Graham, Walter O. Briggs, and C.T. Fisher)
owned 245 acres of undeveloped, partially swampy land that stretched
from the bay to the Atlantic. Mr. Graham assumed the duties as the
developer for Bal Harbour. In the 1930's, city planners Harland
Bartholomew & Associates were called in to design the Village. The
company made several plans and they were submitted for review to Miami
Beach Heights.
In 1940, World War II began and the plans were put on hold. As a
goodwill gesture to the government, Robert C. Graham rented the land to
the United States Air Corps for $1 per year. The Air Corps used this
land to train their soldiers and established a Prisoner of War camp. The
ocean front area was used as a rifle range and the barracks were set up
on the west side of Collins Avenue. The camp for prisoners was located
where the Bal Harbour Shops are presently.
In 1945, the war was over in both Germany and Japan. The Air Corps left
the barracks buildings as a thank you to the owners of the property.
These barracks were converted into apartment homes by Mr. Graham in
1946.
In order to incorporate a city in 1946, there had to be at least 25 male
registered voters residing in the area. Mr. Graham had twenty five
families move into the apartment homes that he had converted in order to
qualify the Village for incorporation. He then hired Willard Webb, a
Miami Beach tax assessor, to draft a charter for the Village. After the
charter was completed, the Village of Bal Harbour was incorporated on
August 14, 1946, by Mr. Graham and 25 male registered voters. The
Village was operated under the city manager form of government.
Swampland was filled, sea walls were constructed and the yacht basin was
created. Contracts were signed for the sewer systems, water pumping
stations and utilities. Bal Harbour was the first planned community in
Florida to have its utilities placed underground. Developers set
guidelines for the development of the beachfront and the residential
areas. Collins Avenue was paved into four lanes with a landscaped median
and later widened to the present day six lanes. Village plans indicated
that ocean front property was to be 200 feet deep and lots approached
$100,000. Lots in the residential area were about 1,800 square feet and
cost from $6,500 to $20,000.
The first hotel was built and was named "The Kenilworth By-the-Sea." It
was built by Tom Raffington and made famous by Arthur Godfrey. It has
since been demolished and is now the Kenilworth Condominium. The first
home was built at 160 Bal Cross Drive. It was built by Mr. Robert C.
Graham Jr., who was the son of Bal Harbour Developer Robert C. Graham.
Construction for the Sea View Hotel was started.
Bal Harbour Village was re-incorporated by a special act of the 1947
Florida Legislature and its own charter was issued June 16th. This new
charter supplemented the original incorporation under the General Laws
of Florida. In accordance with the new charter, an election to select
five to serve on the Council was held June 30th. The Council elected
were: Edward L. Bonneau, Robert C. Graham, Jr., Glenn E. Massnick,
George Whittaker, and Judge Julien Southerland. Judge Southerland was
chosen as mayor. Willard Webb, who had been acting manager since the
first organization, was appointed as Village Manager. Mary Wetterer was
named Village Clerk and Herold Dickey was appointed Chief of Police.
The original name chosen for Bal Harbour was Bay Harbour. However, the
planning committee didn't think that was appropriate for a city that was
on the beach.
A name was invented to encompass a city that ran from the bay to the
Atlantic Ocean. The "b" was taken from the word bay and the "a" and "l"
were taken from the word Atlantic.