Bay Harbor Islands is a town in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It was founded by Shepard Broad in April 1947. It is separated from the mainland by Biscayne Bay. The Broad Causeway connects Bay Harbor to the mainland. Bay Harbor is surrounded by the cities of North Miami, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach, and Surfside.

Bay Harbor is made up of two islands. The west island contains plenty of single family communities with great waterfront homes, while the east island has multi-family housing and a business district with plenty of entertainment venues. There are plenty of choices for shopping and recreation since Bay Harbor is very near South Beach and the luxurious Bal Harbor shops. The famous Indian Creek Country Club golf course is only half a mile away from the Bay Harbor Islands.

Whether you are just here for the holidays or planning to move in with your family, Bay Harbor is a perfect place to live in with its nice weather, luxurious yet affordable homes, and pristine beaches.

HISTORY

The Town of Bay Harbor Islands grew from the foresight of Shepard Broad, who came to America from Pinsk, Russia in 1920 at the age of 14. Seven years later, he held a degree from the New York Law School. Mr. Broad practiced law in New York until 1940, when he brought his wife Ruth to live in South Florida.

In 1945, Broad acquired two undeveloped mangrove swamp islands, located between the beach barrier island and mainland North Miami. With his own funds and with down payments on the sale of lots, Shepard Broad filled in the islands and watched as Bay Harbor began to spring up. He was joined in the venture by a prominent businessman, the late Benjamin N. Kane, for whom the Town's main thoroughfare was named.

In 1947, the Town of Bay Harbor Islands was incorporated. In 1953, the present municipality was chartered by the Florida Legislature and later that same year approved by the voters of the Town. It is operated under a Council-Manager form of government with seven elected Council members each serving for $1 a year. Shepard Broad was elected the first mayor of the Town and served in that position for 26 consecutive years until his retirement from office in 1973.

On June 15, 1947, the first building permit was applied for. Within four years, the Town had a population of 550 citizens living in 46 private residences. Today, the Town's population is approximately 5,100. Shepard Broad died November 6th, 2001 at the age of 95 in his home on Bay Harbor Islands.

ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE

Bay Harbor is a nice small community with little entertainment due to the population size. Whether you are looking for entertainment, dining or shopping cities close by are BAL Harbour, Miami Beach and Surfside.

SCHOOLS IN BAY HARBOR:

* Ruth K. Broad-Bay Harbor Elementary School
* Bay Harbor Elemenetary School