Historic Overtown Guide

If you want to get to know the history and culture of Black Miami, get to know Historic Overtown, located just west of Downtown Miami. Second only to Coconut Grove as Miami’s oldest neighborhood, Overtown Miami was originally called “Colored Town,” home to Black residents, including railroad workers, during segregation. Those railroad workers were instrumental in signing Miami’s city charter in 1896 -the beginning of the vibrant destination the city has become. Over the years, the Miami Overtown neighborhood has grown into a cultural hub for history, the arts and dining. The area is easily accessible from the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theater Metrorail stop and the Brightline station at Miami Central.

Explore the History of the Harlem of the South

The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater

Early in the 1900s, Northwest Second Avenue was an epicenter for business and commerce, where residents thrived. It was home to the famed Historic Overtown Lyric Theater, where preeminent artists like Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday performed. A link to the community’s heritage, the theater stands today as The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater. The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida tells the story of the performance hall’s 1913 beginnings and more than 100 years of African American cultural history. It still holds occasional events.

Dunns-Josephine Hotel

Reminiscent of the Harlem Renaissance of New York City, Overtown served as a cultural hub where hotels like The Dunns and The Josephine welcomed Black travelers. Today, the Dunns-Josephine Hotel combines the two buildings to showcase a 15-room all-suites boutique hotel, with rooms named after the famous entertainers that graced the Historic Lyric Theater. Curated pieces tell the stories of the area’s history and a peek into the lives of the visiting performers. Take a piece of the experience home with the purchase of visual arts available on the first and second floors.

D.A. Dorsey House

Get a glimpse into how Miami’s first Black millionaire lived in a visit to the D.A. Dorsey House. It was the homestead of pioneer Dana Albert Dorsey, who built his fortune in investments and real estate. With the largest portfolio of properties of any Black man in the country, Dorsey’s investments included a namesake hotel, today’s luxurious Fisher Island off the tip of Miami Beach and holdings in the Caribbean. The Dorsey House was built in 1915 for his bride and featured a rare luxury for the time: electricity. The house has been restored and now serves as a gallery for local artists.

Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum

From the 1940s through the 1960s, Miami’s Black police officers worked out of a dedicated precinct in Overtown. Its jurisdiction during this era of segregation included Liberty City and Coconut Grove. A police station with a courthouse was built in 1950. In 1963, the officers were integrated into the main police department. Today, the Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum is housed in the original police station and opens for tours and lectures from Tuesday to Saturday.

Explore Music and the Arts

Hampton Art Lovers

Built in 1925 by Shadrack and Victoria Ward as welcoming accommodations for Black and Native American travelers, today’s Historic Ward Rooming House has been restored. Its porches and other elements showcase the Conch architectural style found in Key West and the Bahamas. It now houses a gallery for the Hampton Art Lovers, a collective committed to showcasing intriguing African American fine art that inspires. Among its exhibits are pieces from poet Maya Angelou’s collection.

The Art of Purvis Young

View the exterior of the Culmer/Overtown Branch Library, the overpass at Northwest 11th Street and Northwest Third Avenue or the Northside Metrorail Station, just north of Historic Overtown, to experience the work of the late street artist Purvis Young. His contemporary art is filled with deep color, depicting his life and street experiences in the 1970s and ’80s. You can see local artist Addonis Parker’s tribute to Young at the Third Avenue Metrorail Overpass in Historic Overtown.

Historic Overtown Music Festivals

The celebration of music continues today in Historic Overtown. Northwest 18^th Avenue is the local “Broadway,” running into Liberty City and Brownsville. The 18th Ave Coming to the Jam honors the area’s history of welcoming Black musicians. Miami performers and DJs headline this family-friendly event. The Overtown Music & Arts Festival website lists the latest upcoming festivals and music lineups.

Taste Historic Overtown’s Culinary Gems

No trip to Historic Overtown is complete without a stop at Jackson Soul Food, a Miami institution and neighborhood social hub. Its roots date back to 1945. Among the locals’ menu favorites: yellowtail snapper, shrimp and Jackson’s signature fried chicken. The Urban is an open outdoor space that hosts food trucks, craft makers, DJ dance parties and popup cocktail bars. It’s the ideal place to immerse in Historic Overtown’s local vibe and hip-hop parties. For some smooth grooves and a lighter take on traditional soul food, get a table at Lil GreenHouse Grill.  Try the sweet-and-sour shrimp, baked mac and cheese and savory seafood cakes.