VAGABOND MOTEL

Vagabond Motel is a Florida historical marker in Miami, Miami-Dade County, dedicated 2021.

Miami-Dade County · dedicated 2021 · 7301 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami

Get directions ↗Start a road trip Historical trails

Constructed in 1953, the Vagabond Motel is a distinctive example of the evolution of modern architecture after World War II. It embodies the characteristics of Florida’s roadside motels catering to tourists arriving by car along main highways such as Biscayne Boulevard. Designed by Miami architect Robert Swartburg, the hotel exemplifies the Miami Modern (MiMo) architectural style that emerged as South Florida architects began to adapt postwar design and materials to Florida’s subtropical climate. Swartburg designed many other buildings in Miami and Miami Beach over his 35-year career. The popularity of the Vagabond and other nearby motels helped transform Biscayne Boulevard into a popular vacation destination, but over time, that popularity diminished. By the 1990s, the area had deteriorated. The community pushed for the preservation of the MiMo buildings. The City of Miami designated the Vagabond as a local historic site in 2003, and established a MiMo historic district in 2006. Several owners tried to restore the Vagabond to its former glory, but had little success until 2012. After its restoration, the Vagabond Motel reopened in 2014, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places that same year.

TodayHistorical map

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection

Example

under a mile from where William Gabby lived in the 1760s

what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

From one family's 77-marker roster

Upload your family tree and TreeAlive finds the markers near where your own ancestors lived.

See your family's markers

Start with a tree file, a FamilySearch sign in, or a WikiTree ID.

Report a problem with this page

The marker isn't at this spotOur pin may be off. If you know where it stands, tell us.I couldn't find the markerWe record what the source recorded. We have not been to look.The sign reads differentlyThat would be an error, and we can pass it to the program.The historical map looks wrongThe period map behind the pin, not the marker itself.Something else

We may pass what you report to the state's marker program. Please don't include personal details.

Marker data: Florida Historical Marker Program, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State

More markers nearby

On the National Register nearby

Vagabond Motel120 ft

Places within about 300 feet of this marker that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A nearby listing is not always the marker's own subject.