Upper East Side in Miami in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Vagabond Motel

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 13, 2023

1. Vagabond Motel Marker

Inscription. Constructed in 1953, the Vagabond Motel is a distinctive example of the evolution of modern architecture after World War II. It embodies the characteristics of Florida’s roadside motels catering to tourists arriving by car along main highways such as Biscayne Boulevard. Designed by Miami architect Robert Swartburg, the hotel exemplifies the Miami Modem (MiMo) architectural style that emerged as South Florida architects began to adapt postwar design and materials to Florida’s subtropical climate. Swartburg designed many other buildings in Miami and Miami Beach over his 35-year career. The popularity of the Vagabond and other nearby motels helped transform Biscayne Boulevard into a popular vacation destination, but over time, that popularity diminished. By the 1990s, the area had deteriorated. The community pushed for the preservation of the MiMo buildings. The City of Miami designated the Vagabond as a local historic site in 2003, and established a MiMo historic district in 2006. Several owners tried to restore the Vagabond to its former glory, but had little success until 2012. After its restoration, the Vagabond Motel reopened in 2014, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places that same year.
A Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2021 by The Vagabond Group and the Florida Department

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of State. (Marker Number F-1144.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 25° 50.586′ N, 80° 11.065′ W. Marker is in Miami, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It is in the Upper East Side. It is at the intersection of Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 74th Street, on the right when traveling north on Biscayne Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7301 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami FL 33138, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Florida

and on the Gold Coast.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lemon City-Nazarene (approx. half a mile away); Lemon City-Knightsville (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lemon City Port (approx. 0.7 miles away); Historic Lemon Avenue (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lemon City Post Office (approx. ¾ mile away); Lemon City Train Station (approx. ¾ mile away); Lemon City Library (approx. ¾ mile away); The Cushman School (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Miami.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lemon City Branch Library (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Vagabond Motel Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 13, 2023

2. Vagabond Motel Sign

Taken from the marker looking south. Coppertone sign in the distance.

Vagabond Motel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 13, 2023

3. Vagabond Motel

Sample of Architecture

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 536 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.