THIS HISTORICALLY BLACK AREA IS PUSHING FOR PRESERVATION.

A place that’s easily overlooked (but shouldn’t be), Overtown is one of the most important -- if not the most important -- spots in Miami when it comes to black history, as well as being one of the oldest neighborhoods in town. At the turn of the 20th century, it was known as Colored Town and was used as an area for black workers who built and serviced the railroad, hotels, and streets. Despite the Black Codes and Jim Crow laws, Overtown still managed to grow, soon becoming a vital area for the black community when it came to shopping, business interactions, and entertainment.