1920s
1920: Town of Miami Beach is incorporated
The 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in the 1920’s ushered in a period of nostalgia for the early years of the nation. John D Rockefeller’s restoration of Colonial Williamsburg was a prime case in point. Completed in the 1930s, it served as a catalyst for other historic preservation efforts around the country.
The past was renovated and gussied up, perhaps to magnify it as a way of renewing the faith of Americans struggling to emerge from the Great Depression. Everything from restaurants to furniture was re-created in a colonial image, and even Hollywood provided its powerful endorsement of colonial style.
1930s
1935: Ocean Drive’s historic Art Deco skyline begins to take shape with the addition of other hotels
1940s
1940: L. Murray Dixon builds The Betsy Ross Hotel
1942: The Betsy Ross Hotel opens
1942: US troops stationed at The Betsy Hotel during WWII
1946: "Trunkline to Sunshine," non-stop service to Miami ushers in a new era of tourism
1948: The Betsy begins its decade of management by the Lipman Family
1950s
1952: Esther Williams' Million Dollar Mermaid, which was shot in Miami, opens at the Box Office
1960s
1960: Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack perform at the Fontainebleau in Miami
1964: The Beatles come to Miami Beach to perform on the Ed Sullivan show
1964: The Jackie Gleason show moves to Miami Beach
1965: The AFL grants Miami an expansion franchise, the Dolphins
1970s
1970: The Betsy Ross Hotel is added to the State Registry of Historic Places
1972: Gloria Steinem headquarters NOW at The Betsy Ross Hotel during the Democratic Convention
1980s
1980: Amid numerous Art Deco revival movements, The Betsy Ross Hotel maintains its classic Florida-Georgian architectural façade.
1985: Renowned fashion photographer Bruce Weber chose Miami Beach for Calvin Klein’s 'Obsession,' spurring an onslaught of fashion photography shoots in the Art Deco District.
1990s
1993: The Florida Marlins are established as Major League Baseball’s newest professional team
2000
2002: Art Basel and Miami Beach join forces to present one of the world’s premier international art shows
2003: The Betsy Ross Hotel undergoes a complete exterior restoration while maintaining its original façade
2005: MTV Video Music Awards are held at the American Airlines Arena, Miami is the first city outside of New York and Los Angeles to host the Awards
2006: Restored as a luxury boutique hotel, The Betsy Ross Hotel becomes The Betsy Hotel South Beach
2009: The Betsy Hotel reopens after a complete renovation
2010: The Betsy receives worldwide recognition for consummate design and luxury hospitality, including four separate Condé Nast Hot List Designations: US, UK, Italy, and Spain (see Press page on this website for up to date coverage)
2011: The Betsy is host hotel for O, Miami, Miami's community wide Poetry Series hosting United States Poet Laureate WS Merwin and James Franco.
2012: The Betsy opens the Writer's Room which has since welcomed 500 writers in residence.
