1930's Miami pics or info? Anyone?

[Nathan Dodge]

So...Bjonas, how's the writing project going? Are there any additional Miami sites you could share?

 

[BJonas]

Thanks for the additional responses, folks. Sorry I haven't been on in a while to thank everyone for these, but they are coming in handy for the "feel" of the Miami scenes.

The writing is coming along sloooowly, unfortunately. The real world's intrusions are many and priorities have to be met. But hopefully things are going to start moving again soon.

Thanks again!

 

[The Wolf]

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we look forward to reading the finished story.:cheers1:

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Just wondering how that Miami story's going...

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"Moon over Miami"

"Wonderfull Romantic comedy set in 1940's Miami"

 

[Maguire]

some of those pics are really shocking, i can't believe men could tolerate the miami heat wearing full suits and hats, and some of those hats aren't straw. They must have been able to really take it well, or sweat through suits regularly.

 

[Nathan Dodge]

some of those pics are really shocking, i can't believe men could tolerate the miami heat wearing full suits and hats, and some of those hats aren't straw. They must have been able to really take it well, or sweat through suits regularly.

From what I've been able to gather from both photos and stories from people who actually lived here then, the fedoras and suit jackets were shunned by the 1950s. The women still wore hats and gloves in town, but even those items were in decline.

Took a drive down A1A to South Beach yesterday with Mrs. Dodge and it was nice to see the deco buildings again. The tourists and snowbirds are gone and the traffic is noticeably lighter, though it's still near-impossible to find a parking space.

And keeping with the spirit of this thread, seeing the Helen Mar apartments (built 1936) made me want to create a Nick and Nora-style sleuthing couple who reside in the Helen Mar building during the 1930s. I came home invigorated, as I always do, after the drive.

 

[John in Covina]

Air conditioning was a can do item by about 1910 and was used in factories where the tempurature and humidity need to be controlled carefully. However it's not until after WWII that places like Las Vegas Casinos and other commercial ventures really start to use A/C.

As a kid in the early 60's I can remember that featuring A/C was still a big deal, that many places of business like movie theaters announced on the marque that they had A/C, and in the hot summers it was a selling point. Small shops might have a sticker on the door that said "Come on in it's Cool inside!" Or the cigarette version with the penguin Come on in it's Kool inside" on the door.

Much along the east coast is miserable during the really hot days producing a near fatal combination of heat and humidity and Florida was not an exception! For those that have not experienced that type of heat and humidity it defies description. I have broken into a sweat toweling off after a shower, it's that bad.

So, I can't blame anyone for ditching a jacket in that type of weather, it was a survival strategy.

 

[BJonas]

Egads, it's been awhile since I was here last. Lotsa stuff going on in life right now.

The links and suggestions have all been really helpful to me, if not in the writing of this book, then others I have planned down the road. The book is in final stages of rewrites and proofing now. It's slow going because of all that's been happening, but hopefully an announcement will come soon. A shameless plug, perhaps?

 

[Nathan Dodge]

Speaking of Self Promotion...

Yesterday, I posted a little tour of Miami, circa 1940. Hope some of the pics help. Just click the link below my signature.