John Stiles Collins (1837-1928) builder of the Collins Bridge and co founder of Miami Beach, Florida Florida Photographic Collection

John Stiles Collins (December 29, 1837-February 11, 1928) was a Quaker farmer from New Jersey who came to southern Florida and attempted to grow vegetables and coconuts on the swampy, bug-infested stretch of land between Miami and the ocean, a barrier island which became Miami Beach. Collins Bridge across Biscayne Bay between Miami and Miami Beach, Florida opened in 1913 as the longest wooden bridge in the world. ... Miami Beach is a city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. ... December 29 is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 2 days remaining. ... 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... February 11 is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ... Farmer spreading grasshopper bait in his alfalfa field. ... State nickname: The Garden State Other U.S. States Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (acting) Official languages None defined Area 22,608 km² (47th)  - Land 19,231 km²  - Water 3,378 km² (14. ... State nickname: Everglade State, Sunshine State Other U.S. States Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Governor Jeb Bush Official languages English Area 170,451 km² (22nd)  - Land 137,374 km²  - Water 30,486 km² (17. ... In geography, a bar is a linear shoaling landform feature within a body of water. ... Miami Beach is a city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. ...

Although the farming venture was not successful, with involvement from his family, notably his sons and sons-in law, John S. Collins also became a land developer and built the Collins Bridge across Biscayne Bay from the established City of Miami in 1913. Collins Bridge across Biscayne Bay between Miami and Miami Beach, Florida opened in 1913 as the longest wooden bridge in the world. ... Dont confuse it with the European Bay of Biscay. ... The Miami skyline, as it is seen from the northeast. ...

The Collins Bridge project ran short of funds and the 2.5 mile (4 km) long wooden toll bridge was in danger of not being completed when 74 year old Collins struck a deal with automotive pioneer and millionaire Carl G. Fisher (1874-1939) to loan him the needed funds in exchange for 200 acres (800,000 m²) of land. Fisher later described John Collins as "a bantam rooster, cocky and unafraid." Paying toll on passing a bridge. ... Carl Graham Fisher (1874-1938) of Indiana, an American automotive and real estate entrepreneur. ...

The Collins Bridge was located at the southern terminus of promoter Fisher's Dixie Highway project, which brought traffic from the mid-west as part of the National Auto Trail road system. Collins, his family, and Fisher all became very wealthy with the development of Miami Beach, which had a 400% increase in resident population between 1920 and 1925. Dixie Highway in St. ... The system of National Auto Trails was an informal network of marked routes that existed in the United States and Canada in the early part of the 20th century. ...

Collins Bridge across Biscayne Bay between Miami and Miami Beach, Florida opened in 1913 as the "longest wooden bridge in the world." photo from Florida Photographic Collection

John S. Collins died in 1928 at the age of 90. Collins Avenue in Miami Beach is named in his honor. Collins Bridge across Biscayne Bay between Miami and Miami Beach, Florida opened in 1913 as the longest wooden bridge in the world. ... Dont confuse it with the European Bay of Biscay. ... The Miami skyline, as it is seen from the northeast. ... Miami Beach is a city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. ...

Sources

Internet

• Indiana History website (http://www.indianahistory.org/pop_hist/people/fisher.html)
• Top 50 Most Influential people in Florida History website (http://www.theledger.com/static/top50/pages/fisher.html)
• Lincoln Highway Association official website (http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/)
• Lost Indiana website (http://www.lostindiana.net/html/crown_hill__fisher.html)
• American Experience series: Carl Fisher, "Mr. Miami Beach" (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/miami/peopleevents/pande03.html)
• Fisher Island official website (http://www.fisherisland.com/)

External links

• Miami Beach 411 website, John Collins biography (http://www.miamibeach411.com/History/bio_collins.htm)
• Collins Avenue history, Miami Beach (http://funandsun.com/1tocf/allgosf/mbf/collinsave.html)
• Billion Dollar Sandbar: The History of Miami Beach (http://funandsun.com/1tocf/allgosf/mbf/hismb.html)