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Bay Harbor Islands FL Homepage
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History

The Beginning

The Town of Bay Harbor Islands grew from the foresight of Shepard Broad, who came to America from Pinsk, Russia in 1920 at the age of 14. Seven years later, he was holding a degree from the New York Law School. Mr. Broad practiced law in New York until 1940, when he brought his wife Ruth to live in South Florida.

In 1945, he acquired two undeveloped mangrove swamp islands off 96th Street on Miami Beach, which were all but out of sight at high tide. With his own funds and with down payments on the sale of lots, Shepard Broad filled in the islands and watched as Bay Harbor began to spring up. He was joined in the venture by a prominent businessman, the late Benjamin N. Kane, for whom the Town’s main thoroughfare was name.

Incorporation

The Town of Bay Harbor Islands was incorporated in 1947 and in 1953, the present municipality was created by the Florida Legislature and approved by the voters of the Town. It’s government is a Council-Manager form with the elected seven-member Council serving for $1 a year. Shepard Broad was elected the first mayor of the Town and served 26 consecutive years until his retirement from office in 1973.

Growth

On June 15, 1947, the first building permit was applied for in Bay Harbor Island. Shepard Broad and his wife Ruth built a home on the West Island and moved in with their two children, Ann and Morris. Within four years, the Town had a population of 550 citizens living in 46 private residences. In 1951, the Shepard Broad Causeway was opened, linking the Town to the mainland of North Miami-Dade County. 

Today, the Town’s population is estimated at just under 6,000. Following through on the concept of zoning Shepard Broad had envisioned for the Town, the West Island remains open to single-family home development only and the East Island to multi-family dwellings. The East Island is also home to Bay Harbor Islands' business district, the Police Department Headquarters, Town Hall, Ruth K-Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center and  the Morris N. Broad Community Center and library. 

Remembering Mr. Broad

Shepard Broad passed away November 6th, 2001 at his home in Bay Harbor Islands. The Causeway that bears his name provides access to and from the mainland for over 20,000 vehicles each day. 

  1. Bay Harbor Island FL Homepage

  1. Town of Bay Harbor Islands

  1. 1030 95th Street

  1. Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154

  1. Phone: (305) 866-6241

  1. Bay Harbor Islands Police Department

  1. Non-Emergency Phone: (305) 866-6242

  1. Emergency Phone: 9-1-1

  1. Building & Zoning Department

  1. Phone: (305) 993-1786

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