Henry Flagler s retirement plan: develop Florida s east coast
Would Miami be as exotic if it had been named Flagler?
It’s hard to say, but the reality is, in the late 19th century, south Floridians nearly named their port city for the railroad magnate who made easy access there possible.
“He was offered to have Miami named after him. He didn’t want that,” said Edwin L. Lamont, docent for the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. “It was for two reasons. One, he truly was a humble man. I think the other reason is, this was the time of the yellow press, and to have your name on things like that, it was just more opportunity for the yellow press to take a shot at you.”