Julia Tuttle, known as the “Mother of Miami,” was an American businesswoman who owned the land upon which Miami, Florida, was built. She is the only woman to have founded a major American city.Julia Tuttle was originally from Cleveland, Ohio, but she moved to the Biscayne Bay area in the late 19th century. She purchased hundreds of acres of land on the north bank of the Miami River in present-day downtown Miami.Julia Tuttle is most famous for convincing railroad tycoon Henry Flagler to extend his Florida East Coast Railway to the region, which at the time was known as “Biscayne Bay Country.” She believed in the area’s potential for growth and development. In an effort to persuade Flagler, Tuttle sent him orange blossoms during a freeze in 1894-1895 to show that the Miami area had not been affected by the cold that had devastated Florida’s citrus crop elsewhere. This act, along with her promise of land for a hotel and a railroad station, convinced Flagler to extend his railroad to the area.

The arrival of the railroad in 1896 was a turning point in the history of the region, leading to a rapid development boom. The City of Miami was officially incorporated on July 28, 1896, with a population of just over 300 people.Julia Tuttle’s foresight and determination have left a lasting legacy in Miami. There are several memorials to her, including a statue in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, and the Julia Tuttle Causeway, one of the main causeways crossing Biscayne Bay, which connects Miami and Miami Beach, is named in her honor.

Her role in Miami’s founding is a testament to her vision and entrepreneurial spirit and serves as an inspiration for the city’s continued growth and development. Julia Tuttle remains an iconic figure in Miami’s history for her pivotal role in the city’s establishment and development.