In 1932 Watson Island was considered for the site of Miami's Pan-American Exposition, a World's Fair and "International Merchandise mart."

By the end of the 1940s, however, the site of the Exposition, now called Interama, was moved North to where Oleta River State Park is today.

Vestiges of the old base still remain such as the imprint of the mooring circle and a paved path for a small tram that would transport passengers to the airship.

There has been continued controversy stemming from Jungle Island's inability to meet the financing terms it had made with the local municipalities when the move was approved.

[7][8] Aviation Center Chalk's International Airlines maintained a seaplane base on Watson Island from 1926 until it ceased operation in 2007.

Originally named Parrot Jungle, the popular tourist attraction first opened in the Pinecrest neighborhood of Miami in 1936.

It has ten galleries, classrooms, birthday party rooms, a parent/teacher resource center, an educational gift shop, a 200-seat auditorium and a dining area.

It offers youth and adult sailing programs, and sponsors races, regattas and a Sea Scout ship.

The development included two hotels, retail and restaurant space, landscaped promenade gardens and a marina serving mega yachts.

In 2009 the equity investor Flagstone had signed up withdrew from the project due to global financial crisis and failure of bank syndication.