Downtown Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Historical Marker #2 Dance Pavilion

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 7, 2018

1. Historical Marker #2 Dance Pavilion Marker

Inscription. A 1918 map located a "Negro Dance Pavilion" on Virginia Key. When Virginia Key Beach Park opened in 1945, a concrete dance floor was included on this site. Beach visitors danced the Lindy Hop, Foxtrot, Twist, Monkey, Mash Potato, Robot, and Hustle to the popular hits of the day. Local radio stations held live Saturday broadcasts and hosted dance contests here, too.

This project has been financed in part with historic preservation assistance provided by Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission.

Erected by Virginia Key Beach Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 25° 44.113′ N, 80° 9.378′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is in Downtown Miami. Marker can be reached from Virginia Beach Drive, 0.4 miles east of Rickenbacker Causeway. Marker is located near the Concession Stand and the Virginia Key State marker. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Key Biscayne FL 33149, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies. Virginia Key Beach Park (a few steps from this marker); The Concession Stand (within shouting distance of this marker); Office of Dr. James Jackson, Miami's First Physician (approx. 2.8 miles away); Professor Charles Torrey Simpson/Professor Charles Torrey Simpson Park (approx. 2.9 miles away); Congregation Beth Jacob (approx. 2.9 miles away); Brickell Park (approx. 3.1 miles away); Mary Brickell Park (approx. 3.1 miles away); Saving the Circle (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami.

Historical Marker #2 Dance Pavilion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 7, 2018

2. Historical Marker #2 Dance Pavilion

Marker is located just out of the picture to the right of the concession stand.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.