Miami Beach Stories
The cut that made an island: Government Cut, 1905.
· 2 min read · Miami Beach
In 1905, Miami received government permission to slice through the southern end of the barrier island we now call Miami Beach. Dredges began carving a channel from the Atlantic Ocean straight toward the harbor, because ships needed a direct way in instead of the long, shallow crawl around the sandbars. The new channel took its name from the permission that made it possible: Government Cut.
A straight run to the harbor
The digging had a side effect nobody was drawing on the maps. The cut severed the very tip of the peninsula, and when the dredges finally moved on, a brand new island sat where solid ground used to be. Today we call it Fisher Island.
The island the dredges left behind
The work wrapped by 1911, and the channel has been Miami's front door ever since. Every cruise ship you watch glide past South Pointe Park is sailing through a decision made more than a century ago.
Where to find us on Collins
Green Market sits at 5101 Collins Ave in Miami Beach, open 7am to 10pm every day. Coffee from the espresso bar starts at $2.50, combos from $5.79. Walk in from the beach, or order on WhatsApp at +1 (305) 876-4513 and we deliver across Miami Beach.
Quick answers
- How was Fisher Island created?
- In 1905, Miami received government permission to slice through the southern end of the barrier island we now call Miami Beach. Dredges began carving a channel from the Atlantic Ocean straight toward the harbor, because ships needed a direct way in instead of the long, shallow crawl around the sandbars.