Lummus Park Historic District

Not to be confused with the park of the same name in South Beach, this rather large park is in Overtown, across from the mason temple and near Garcia’s and Casablanca, across from the Miami River, where you can see many tugboats. I came here in the evening, at a time some find to be dangerous, after spending the afternoon doing some urban exploration in Miami’s downtown. As we parked, we saw there were lots of youths playing basketball, and a tent with a homeless man by the river. The park itself has only about 4 parking spots, but you can park along the street.
My main reason for coming was to see Fort Dallas and the Wagner House. Fort Dallas was a barracks that served as plantation slave quarters, then as army barracks during the Seminole Wars, and, before being moved here stone by stone, finally as Julia Tuttle’s home in 1891. The Wagner Homestead was built c. 1857 by William Wagner, one of the area’s first permanent residents and was actively involved in local political and community affairs. The Wagner home reflects the early days of settlement along the Miami River during the nineteenth century and is the only known house in Miami which remains from this period. It is a rare example of vernacular wood frame architecture and is the oldest known home still standing in Miami.
Both of these structures are found inside the park, alongside kids enjoying the park and being kids. I would love to see the Scottish Rite temple, but it looked closed. If you’re into Miami’s history or just like seeing different neighborhoods, I recommend coming here to see the two standing structures and trying to see the temple, while making a stop at Casablanca or Garcia’s to wrap up your afternoon.

Lummus Park was included on my «not to miss» tour of historic Miami. It is in the very heart of downtown just off of the Miami River and in front of the Scottish Rite Temple. It is a well-​kept park that I understand has recently gone through a bit of restoration. I loved the benches that had «Miami» etched out of them and were strategically located for watching the pickup basketball game that was in session amongst some local boys. (My favorite quote of the day was «Hey, you’re on my team!’ ;)
A few paces from this modern scene is historic Fort Dallas that is a testament to what Miami was way back when. The building was used as plantation slave head quarters and during a time when the Native American of the area were being shipped off. Now a Black man is president and the sign is in Spanish and English for yet another ethnic group that I prominent in the city. Oh Miami — how you change.

This was my second year coming to the Miami River Day festival and can say I’m impressed and educated every time. The highlight for me is always the Miami River boat tour — and can see how this has business potential whether as a tourist attraction or a water taxi. I mean the river DOES go near the Airport.
The narrator does a pretty good job of pointing out the different neighborhoods along the river, as well as some of the more sordid historical highlights, also translating them in Spanish. Occasionally they slowed down to give us the opportunity to get pictures as well. Our tour boat also had a decent bar with sodas ($ 2 coke), a couple of domestic beers as well as full liquor. Seating was plentiful and I was fortunate to grab a seat right at the railing!
Besides the boat, you also had the chance to check out the Wagner historical household and talk to fully costumed re-​enactors. The Scottish Rite Masonic temple was open (the only time where it’s open to the general public), giving me the opportunity to check out the basements, barely lit rooms and pick out some literature in search of the National Treasure :)
There were also a couple of information booths from the various commercial sponsors as well as governmental agencies, as well as a couple of vendors. I even saw the ChurroMania truck as well as a couple other vendors.

The Lummus Park historic District has some of the oldest & more beautiful historic buildings in Miami, it is a Quiet place, beautiful landscape and it’s also close to the Miami Riverfront. It holds the Wonderful Scottish Rite building, Fort Dallas historic Building and The Wagner Homestead oldest house in miami Dade with other buildings & houses from early 1900 just to mention some of them. You’ll find lots of history in this small area.
El distrito historico del paque Lummus tiene algunos de los edificios mas antiguos de Miami, es un lugar tranquilo, con bellos paisajes y queda frente del rio Miami. Alli encontrara el bellisimo Edificio de la Logia Masonica Scottish Rite, El Fuerte Dallas y la casa Wagner constriuda en 1857 junto con otros edificios y casa de principios de 1900 solo por mencionar unos de ellos. el parque cuenta tambien con un area de juegos infantiles y cancha de Basketball