1837 – 1922
Mary Bulmer Brickell
Mary Bulmer Brickell (1837-1922) was a visionary and pioneering landowner and businesswoman who played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for Miami’s development “as the Magic City Miami it has become today”.
Mary was born in Bolton, England. Following a period of riots and unrest in their home country, the Bulmer family found a new home in Australia in 1840, when Mary was just three. They settled in the New South Wales region, where Mary’s father achieved success as a carpenter and builder.
American adventurer and entrepreneur William Brickell left home at an early age for the gold fields of California. First working a claim, but then on horseback and with a set of scales, he became successful as a buyer of gold from the miners who knew and trusted him. Attracted by the lure of gold strikes in Australia, he soon ventured there. As in California William was first a miner and then a successful buyer of gold.
Settling in Albury, William met Mary. There he built a hotel and commissary. With his partner Kidd, he built the first bridge over the Murray River (which others had tried but failed due to the strong river current). Sydney and Melbourne were now finally linked by road.
In 1853, Mary gave birth to their first child. Five years later, after taking their marriage vows in Melbourne, Mary and William set sail for New York. They first settled in Cleveland but later set their sights on making a new life for themselves on the Florida frontier. Family history has it that William first became aware of the Miami lands early on in a card game in California with sugar baron Spreckles.
In 1871, William purchased nearly 2000 acres of land near the mouth of the Miami River, placing all of it in Mary’s name.
He and Mary built a family home and established the Brickell Trading Post on the south bank of the river.
Mary played an active role in managing the land from the start. (Family understanding was that William ran the trading post), Mary’s oldest daughter Alice Brickell was the first postmistress. The trading post contained the area’s first safe — making it, by default, Miami’s first bank. The Brickell Trading Post served as a vital hub for trade and communication with the Seminole Indians and early residents.
Mary Brickell also visited the Seminoles in times of trouble, sickness or for no reason at all. Beloved by them, she was called “Little Angel”.
Walk in Mary’s footsteps
Lectures, walking tours, boat rides and exhibitions across South Florida bring her story to life.
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