Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive in South Beach used to look like that? See for yourself

South Beach has certainly changed through the years.

A hot spot in the 1940s and ‘50s, the area started to feel its age in the 1960s and into the ‘80s as the population got older and poorer.

We all know what South Beach is today: a world famous neon-lit strip along Ocean Drive and a trendy collection of shops and cafes along Lincoln Road.

Let’s open the Miami Herald photo archives and take a look at both streets when South Beach was undergoing seismic change:

Ocean Drive

In 1988, the Carlyle and Cardozo hotels in Ocean Drive and 13th Street.
In 1988, the Carlyle and Cardozo hotels in Ocean Drive and 13th Street.
The Beacon Hotel at Seventh Street and Ocean Drive in 1994.
The Beacon Hotel at Seventh Street and Ocean Drive in 1994.
Carlyle Hotel at 1250 Ocean Dr. in South Beach.
Carlyle Hotel at 1250 Ocean Dr. in South Beach.
In 1970, residents at the Victor on Ocean Drive in South Beach.
In 1970, residents at the Victor on Ocean Drive in South Beach.
Leslie Hotel 1244 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, Florida
Leslie Hotel 1244 Ocean Drive Miami Beach, Florida
The Victor, 1144 Ocean Dr. in South Beach.
The Victor, 1144 Ocean Dr. in South Beach.
Cars head south on Ccean Drive near 12th Street.
Cars head south on Ccean Drive near 12th Street.
In 1994, the Colony Hotel at 736 Ocean Dr.
In 1994, the Colony Hotel at 736 Ocean Dr.
The Clevelander at 10th Street and Ocean Drive in 1961.
The Clevelander at 10th Street and Ocean Drive in 1961.

Lincoln Road

Lincoln Road, just west of Washington Avenue.
Lincoln Road, just west of Washington Avenue.
Lincoln Road in 1951.
Lincoln Road in 1951.
In 1946, a view of Lincoln Road when it had car traffic.
In 1946, a view of Lincoln Road when it had car traffic.
Pedestrians on Lincoln Road Mall in 1995.
Pedestrians on Lincoln Road Mall in 1995.
Looking west on Lincoln Road in the 1940s.
Looking west on Lincoln Road in the 1940s.
A 1945 view of Lincoln Road.
A 1945 view of Lincoln Road.
A rundown Lincoln Theater on Lincoln Road in 1989.
A rundown Lincoln Theater on Lincoln Road in 1989.
Riding the tram on Lincoln Road in South Beach.
Riding the tram on Lincoln Road in South Beach.
A 1966 photo of the Lincoln Road tram, carried walk-weary shoppers from Washington Avenue to Alton Road and stopped anywhere along the way.
A 1966 photo of the Lincoln Road tram, carried walk-weary shoppers from Washington Avenue to Alton Road and stopped anywhere along the way.
Lincoln Road Mall
Lincoln Road Mall
Shoppers on Lincoln Road in 1981.
Shoppers on Lincoln Road in 1981.
A photo of Lincoln Road businesses in 1964.
A photo of Lincoln Road businesses in 1964.
Traffic on Lincoln Road in the 1950s.
Traffic on Lincoln Road in the 1950s.