Miami Beach Stories
The dogs of First Street: the racetrack at the tip of the beach.
· 2 min read · Miami Beach
In the late 1920s, sources argue over 1926 or 1928, a greyhound track opened at First Street and Ocean Drive, right where South Beach runs out of numbers. The Miami Beach Kennel Club sat so close to the water that the rail nearly touched the sand, and for five decades its racing nights were the big show at the southern tip of the island.
Race nights at First and Ocean
The neighborhood grew up around it. One block over on Biscayne Street stood its most famous neighbor, Joe's Stone Crab, serving since 1913. On a good night the whole south end hummed: dinner at Joe's, then the dogs under the lights.
From grandstand to South Pointe
In 1980 the greyhounds ran their last race and the wreckers took the grandstand down. Even the street retired its name. Biscayne Street is South Pointe Park Drive today, and the tip of the beach reinvented itself as South Pointe: the park, the pier and the towers. Most people walking it never learn a racetrack stood there first.
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
- What was the Miami Beach Kennel Club?
- In the late 1920s, sources argue over 1926 or 1928, a greyhound track opened at First Street and Ocean Drive, right where South Beach runs out of numbers. The Miami Beach Kennel Club sat so close to the water that the rail nearly touched the sand, and for five decades its racing nights were the big show at the southern tip of the island.