In 1918, D.A. Dorsey, an African American millionaire, purchased what is now known as Fisher Island so that blacks could have a beach of their own during segregation. Due to increasing property taxes, Dorsey sold the property and without a beach, Blacks protested by atempting to swim in white beach waters. On August 1, 1945, county officials designated Virginia Key Beach a Dade County Park for the exclusive use of Negroes.

The park was only accessible by boat from a downtown dock on the Miami River. Structures included a concession stand, a bathhouse with restrooms, an octagonal carousel building and three picnic pavilions. A 70-foot wood tunnel surrounded by native coral rock was constructed in 1956 for a miniature train, and remains today. In 1944, the Navy conducted Negro training on this beach, since black enlisted men could not be trained on other beaches. Closed in 1982, the park underwent restoration and renovation and reopened in 2007.

Information provided by the Florida Division of Historical Resources, a division of the Florida Department of State.

Photo courtesy of floridamemory.com, image number PR23567.