The infant city of Miami was the remarkable progeny of remarkable parents. It did not develop slowly like other cities; it arrived in a railroad car, howling and kicking its way into life.

In 1891, Julia Tuttle decided to forge a new life for herself in Miami. Instead of settling on her father's homestead, she set out to buy the most impressive piece of real estate she had seen in Miami -- the north bank of the Miami River.

Julia Tuttle turned to Florida's railroad builder, Henry M. Flagler, who had just begun to extend his railroad south of Saint Augustine, with the hopes that he would build a railroad to Miami. But he was not interested.

For the next several years, Julia Tuttle besieged Flagler. She went to Saint Augustine to talk to him, but he ignored her offer. She wrote him regularly, pointing out the advantages of bringing his railroad to Miami. Still, he was not interested. In the end, her persistence -- and a stroke of luck -- turned his head.

During the winter of 1894-95, a terrible freeze hit Florida and destroyed the north and central Florida citrus groves. Julia Tuttle saw the freeze not as a disaster but as an opportunity. She wrote Flagler, reminding him that Miami was untouched by the cold weather. For the first time, Flagler listened.

When Flagler saw the orange blossoms and photographs of the region, he decided to check out Miami himself. Before the day was over, Flagler had been convinced the time was ripe to bring his railroad to Miami.

On July 28, 1896, 344 voters met to incorporate the city of Miami.