Flagler Monument Island
Encyclopedia
Flagler Memorial Island is an artificial island
that was built in 1920 along with the other Venetian Islands
of Miami
and Miami Beach
, Florida
, complete with a monument visible from the Flamingo Hotel
in Miami Beach. A 110 feet (33.5 m) high obelisk with allegorical sculptures at its base stands as a monument to Miami pioneer Henry M. Flagler, and was built in the center of the freshly constructed island in memory of Flagler, who died in 1913.
, the perfectly rounded shape of the memorial island was not protected by a sea wall. The powerful tidal flow from Government Cut
, as well as hurricanes and other forces, have drastically altered its original shape. Exotic species such as Burma reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana
), seaside-mahoe (Thespesia populnea) and beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada
) have covered much of the island. In 1994 the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund and the Florida Inland Navigation District used a $220,000 bond to build a clearing in the center of the island near the monument, where visitors play volleyball and light bonfires. The project also stabilized the shoreline with the installation of lime rock boulders, and created sand beaches and dunes for boaters to enjoy. Hurricane Wilma
eroded away much of the beaches in the fall of 2005, leaving many of the picnic tables partially submerged.
Miami-Dade County maintains the island, including modest picnic facilities and trash cans, and is considering issuing a $250,000 bond to correct the monument's serious disrepair due to its exposure to harsh marine elements, vandalism and years of deferred maintenance.
The City of Miami Beach has recently completed a full restoration of the Henry Flagler Monument. It now stands proudly and is once again illuminated at night.
Although the island is unpopulated, it is considered a neighborhood in the City of Miami Beach.
The island has recently been designated as a City of Miami Beach public park and all rules and regulations of all city parks are now enforced, including NO alcohol, No fires, and the closing of the park at darkness. Monument Island has been "adopted" by the not for profit environmental group Ecomb
(Environmental Coalition Of Miami and the Beaches) www.ecomb.org. This group has been maintaining the island and removing trash for many years.
commissioned the construction of the obelisk monument and the four allegorical statues at the base in 1920 at a cost of $125,000. His Alton Beach Realty Company deeded the land to the City of Miami Beach in 1939.
During the preliminary dredging in 1919, a native American war club was discovered by workers. Believed to be from the Tequesta, the club is currently in the archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
, the statues sit oriented in the four cardinal directions, each representing a signature aspect of Miami Beach.
There is a law that prohibits exposing oneself in public, but Reality Kings said the law was not broken because nobody witnessed the exposing. However, Miami officials said that a permit was required to film, and that none was issued.
Artificial island
An artificial island or man-made island is an island or archipelago that has been constructed by people rather than formed by natural means...
that was built in 1920 along with the other Venetian Islands
Venetian Islands, Miami Beach, Florida
The Venetian Islands are a chain of artificial islands in Biscayne Bay in the cities of Miami and Miami Beach, Florida. The islands are, from west to east: Biscayne Island , San Marco Island , San Marino Island , Di Lido Island , Rivo Alto Island , and Belle Isle...
of Miami
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
and Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which separates the Beach from Miami city proper...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, complete with a monument visible from the Flamingo Hotel
Flamingo Hotel, Miami Beach
The Flamingo Hotel overlooked Biscayne Bay on the west side of the newly formed city of Miami Beach, Florida until the 1950s, when it was torn down to make room for the new Morton Towers development, which is now known as the Flamingo South Beach....
in Miami Beach. A 110 feet (33.5 m) high obelisk with allegorical sculptures at its base stands as a monument to Miami pioneer Henry M. Flagler, and was built in the center of the freshly constructed island in memory of Flagler, who died in 1913.
Background
Unlike the Venetian IslandsVenetian Islands
The Venetian Islands are a chain of artificial islands in Biscayne Bay in the cities of Miami and Miami Beach, Florida. The islands are, from west to east: Biscayne Island , San Marco Island , San Marino Island , Di Lido Island , Rivo Alto Island , and Belle Isle...
, the perfectly rounded shape of the memorial island was not protected by a sea wall. The powerful tidal flow from Government Cut
Government Cut
Government Cut is a manmade shipping channel between Miami Beach and Fisher Island, which allows better access to the Port of Miami in Miami, Florida...
, as well as hurricanes and other forces, have drastically altered its original shape. Exotic species such as Burma reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana
Neyraudia reynaudiana
Neyraudia reynaudiana, commonly known as Burma reed, silk reed, cane grass, or false reed, is a tall, perennial, large-plumed grass native to subtropical Asia, but invasive in southern Florida in the United States.-Description:...
), seaside-mahoe (Thespesia populnea) and beach naupaka (Scaevola taccada
Scaevola taccada
Scaevola taccada, also known as Beach Cabbage, Sea Lettuce, Beach Naupaka, Naupaka kahakai , Merambong and Ngahu is a flowering plant in the family Goodeniaceae found in open coastal locations of the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific...
) have covered much of the island. In 1994 the Biscayne Bay Environmental Enhancement Trust Fund and the Florida Inland Navigation District used a $220,000 bond to build a clearing in the center of the island near the monument, where visitors play volleyball and light bonfires. The project also stabilized the shoreline with the installation of lime rock boulders, and created sand beaches and dunes for boaters to enjoy. Hurricane Wilma
Hurricane Wilma
Hurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm , thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, and fourth Category 5 hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 season...
eroded away much of the beaches in the fall of 2005, leaving many of the picnic tables partially submerged.
Miami-Dade County maintains the island, including modest picnic facilities and trash cans, and is considering issuing a $250,000 bond to correct the monument's serious disrepair due to its exposure to harsh marine elements, vandalism and years of deferred maintenance.
The City of Miami Beach has recently completed a full restoration of the Henry Flagler Monument. It now stands proudly and is once again illuminated at night.
Although the island is unpopulated, it is considered a neighborhood in the City of Miami Beach.
The island has recently been designated as a City of Miami Beach public park and all rules and regulations of all city parks are now enforced, including NO alcohol, No fires, and the closing of the park at darkness. Monument Island has been "adopted" by the not for profit environmental group Ecomb
Ecomb
-History & Mission:EcoMB, originally named the Environmental Coalition of Miami and the Beaches, is a registered 5013 not for profit organization headquartered in Miami Beach Florida. EcoMB was established in 1994. EcoMB's mission is to educate and promote environmental sustainability and...
(Environmental Coalition Of Miami and the Beaches) www.ecomb.org. This group has been maintaining the island and removing trash for many years.
History
Miami Beach co-founder Carl G. FisherCarl G. Fisher
Carl Graham Fisher was an American entrepreneur. Despite having severe astigmatism, he became a seemingly tireless pioneer and promoter of the automotive, auto racing, and real estate development industries...
commissioned the construction of the obelisk monument and the four allegorical statues at the base in 1920 at a cost of $125,000. His Alton Beach Realty Company deeded the land to the City of Miami Beach in 1939.
During the preliminary dredging in 1919, a native American war club was discovered by workers. Believed to be from the Tequesta, the club is currently in the archives at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Sculptures
Designed by sculptor H.P. Peterson and financed by Fisher with the help of John B. Orr,and James A. AllisonJames A. Allison
James Ashbury Allison , born in Marcellus, Michigan, was an American entrepreneur and businessman. He was the inventor of the Allison Perfection Fountain Pen and with Carl G. Fisher a founder of Prest-O-Lite, a manufacturer of automobile headlights. With Carl G. Fisher, Frank H. Wheeler, and Arthur C...
, the statues sit oriented in the four cardinal directions, each representing a signature aspect of Miami Beach.
Industry
Representing industry, a man in a Roman toga stands facing due north, holding a scroll and a small building. The statue suffers from considerable erosion damage to its face, scroll, and left foot.Education
A female figure faces due east, wearing a dress and a cape. She holds a pile of books and reaches out with her left hand in a welcoming gesture. Cracks have exposed metal rebar in her hand and a crack in her cape may soon lead to further extensive damage.Pioneer
A statue of a sailor faces due south, shielding his eyes from the sun. He holds a shovel and sits on a plant. He is extensively damaged and may present a safety hazard.Prosperity
A female figure in a long dress with a tiara represents prosperity. She holds a cornucopia and a purse clutched to her chest with her left hand and her heavily damaged right hand reaches to the west.Damage and maintenance
The island and the monument were both donated to the city of Miami Beach in 1939. In the years since the city, county and the private sector have all contributed to maintenance. In 1998 a careless picnicker set the island on fire, destroying $250,000 worth of trees and landscaping from a 1994 restoration project. There has been a fence put up to stop people from vandalizing the base of the monument where there is a profuse amount of graffiti. In 2008 there was a group of teenagers who threw human feces at the monument and filmed it. They were later arrested by law enforcement. In early 2011, Reality Kings, an adult video maker, filmed Island Adventure on Monument Island, rousing the ire of local authorities.Controversy
On February 5, 2011 a pornographic film titled Island Aventure was filmed on the island. The 50-minute movie was produced by Reality KingsReality Kings
Reality Kings is a brand owned by RK Netmedia, an internet-based hardcore pornography production company operating out of Miami Beach, Florida. The network was launched in 2000 with its first adult website, cumfiesta.com. Other brands followed like milfhunter.com, captainstabbin.com,...
There is a law that prohibits exposing oneself in public, but Reality Kings said the law was not broken because nobody witnessed the exposing. However, Miami officials said that a permit was required to film, and that none was issued.