The oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood in Miami was built by Bahamian laborers

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before the skyscrapers of Brickell rose, Coconut Grove was a frontier of sailors and artists. Settled as early as 1825, this lush coastal enclave was shaped by Bahamian immigrants whose expertise in enduring extreme heat and humidity proved essential to the area's early development.

The identity of Coconut Grove, colloquially known as "The Grove," is rooted in a history of diverse immigration waves. The first settlers arrived in 1825, coinciding with the operation of the Cape Florida lighthouse. These early pioneers included sailors, naturalists, and artists from the Northeastern United States, Britain, and the Bahamas. Notably, Black Bahamian immigrants were instrumental in constructing the area's historical landmarks, as they were believed to be uniquely capable of withstanding the region's intense heat, humidity, and mosquito populations.

The neighborhood's formal identity was solidified in 1873 when Horace P. Porter established a post office named "Coconut Grove" while renting a home from Edmond D. Beasley's widow. While the spelling was occasionally rendered as "Cocoanut Grove," the definitive spelling was standardized when the city was incorporated in 1919. The area underwent significant political shifts, remaining an independent city until it was annexed by Miami in 1925, a move that combined the city of Coconut Grove with most of the town of Silver Bluff.

Today, the neighborhood is defined by its greenery and its connection to Biscayne Bay. It serves as a cultural hub, having hosted South Florida's youth countercultural movement in the 1960s through events like the Doors concert at Dinner Key Auditorium. Local architectural history remains intact at locations such as The Barnacle Historic State Park, home to Miami-Dade County's oldest surviving structure in its primary site—the 1891 residence of yacht designer Ralph Middleton Munroe.

The community remains multifaceted, with the "West" Grove (or Black Grove) maintaining strong Afro-Bahamian roots. This heritage is celebrated through the annual Goombay Festival, which transforms Grand Avenue into a vibrant Carnaval featuring Caribbean music and food.

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