The history of Miami Springs is entwined with that of the history of aviation in South Florida.

In 1916, Glenn H. Curtiss and James Bright decided to open a flying school there because they thought it would be a good location.

Together, they bought 17,000 acres of meadow and scrubland that would later develop into Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Opa-Locka.

Miami Springs, a city with fewer than 15000 people, is huddled between the Miami International Airport and Hialeah. It is like a valley between the rushing highways of N.W. 36th Street and Okeechobee Road.

The triangular-shaped, 2.9-square-mile city developed with aviation and became a popular place to live for those working for airlines and related companies.

Miami Springs is surrounded by Miami International Airport, the City of Hialeah, the Village of Virginia Gardens, and the Town of Medley and is situated “in the middle of it all.”

Due to its small-town feel, fantastic location, and family-friendly civic amenities like parks, racquetball and tennis courts, golf course, municipal pool, new community center, and theatre, the City remained a sought-after “bedroom community” as Miami-Dade County expanded around it.

Until Glen Hammond Curtiss, the founder of American Aircraft discovered the County Club Estates, it was just like a hidden gem.

This extraordinary visionary built a village that has survived 90 years with some very distinctive traits. In addition, he established Opa-Locka and Hialeah.

The city is a portion of Miami-Dade County. It was founded in 1926 by Glenn Curtiss, who established the Miami Hialeah Golf Club in the area in 1923.

2. Who Is Glen Hammond Curtiss? 

The Real Tom Swift, The Father of Naval Aviation, The Architect of American Aviation, Thomas Edison of Aviation, and The Founder of the American Aviation Industry—to name a few titles—have all been applied to Glenn Hammond Curtiss.

However, residents of Miami Springs would likely all concur that the greatest title is The Founder of Miami Springs. 

He is called the Father of American Naval Aviation because, at the time of World War I, his company built aircraft for the U.S. Army and Navy.

His civil and military aircraft were all-powerful in the interwar and World War II stages also.

Later he became successful in the real estate field too. Once Glenn Curtiss found the place, he invested there to develop the place into a residential community.

Glen Hammond Curtiss, the father of American Aviation, extended his interest to real estate during the “land boom” of the 1920s.

Curtiss and his partner James Bright expanded the three towns of Miami Dade County- Country Club Estates, Hialeah, and Opa-Locka into residential communities. Miami Springs was part of the first planned cities in the state.

The University of Miami honored him with an honorary Doctor of Science degree for his commitment to the advancement of Miami Springs.

3. Pueblo Revival

The traditional Pueblo architecture of Santa Fe de Nuevo México, the Spanish missions, and the Territorial Style are the sources of inspiration for the Pueblo Revival or Santa Fe style, a regional architectural design seen in the Southwest of the United States.

The design was created at the start of the 20th century and was most popular in the 1920s and 1930s, though it is still often utilized for new construction today.

The state of New Mexico has the highest concentration of Pueblo-style buildings, which are frequently combined with Territorial Revival structures.

Curtiss and James Bright followed the traditional style of New Mexico adobe Pueblo Architecture Style to develop three Miami-Dade cities.  

4. History Behind Name

The Springs, formerly known as Country Club Estates, was always intended to be a low-density residential neighborhood.

There were 128 homes overall when the first mayor and council were chosen in 1926. The Seaboard and Florida Coast Railroads, whose yards were close to the city, employed numerous pioneers.

The airport to the south was developed in large part because of Glenn Curtiss, and Miami Springs expanded alongside the airport.

Southeast of the city was the starting point for Pan Am’s renowned international “Clipper” flights, which eventually relocated to Dinner Key near Coconut Grove.

Many of Curtiss’ meticulous planning restrictions are still discernible now and continue to affect the Springs’ character and dedication to green spaces and environmental preservation despite the aviation industry’s phenomenal growth.

Country Club Estate later became Miami Springs because of the spring there.

During their construction works, it was Curtiss’ engineers who found the natural water in Miami. This spring provided parts of Miami with fresh water until the mid-1990s.

In 1930, the name Country Club Estate changed to the Town of Miami Springs, and later in 1962, it became the City of Miami Springs.

5. Cultural and Social Ties

Miami Springs, which has 15,000 residents, is primarily made up of single-family homes and a small number of flats. Its historic center is home to offices, eateries, and small retail shops.

Being a close-knit community, numerous city employees were born, raised, and/or attended school in the city.

Due to its family-friendly environment and recreational options, the majority of people still reside in the Springs and raise their families there.

City officials have traditionally placed a high premium on public safety, which has resulted in low crime rates.

Miami Springs has been recognized for its dedication to preserving its great environment, heritage, and quality of life by being certified as a “Tree City USA” since 1993 and most recently by being dubbed a “Preserve America City.”

6. Administration

The Miami Springs City Hall, Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue, and the Miami-Dade Police Department are all situated at 201 Westward Drive, a short distance from The Circle, which has served as the city’s focal point ever since it was founded.

Voters typically elect leaders they already know from their involvement in the community because of the small population.

The Mayor and Council Members frequently win re-election to further terms because they regularly attend community activities and stay personable to locals and business owners.

In “Beautiful Miami Springs,” elected officials take pride in knowing what the inhabitants want and doing their best to meet those needs.

The Mayor and four Council Members each have one vote in the decision-making process, and the City Manager is in charge of the city’s operations.

As a chief administrative officer, the city manager is responsible for managing eight major departments, including police, public works, recreation and golf, and more, which together employ about 125 full-time staff members and 110 seasonal or part-time staff members.

The City Manager, the Assistant City Manager, the City Clerk, and the City Attorney, who is available on retainer, all assist the City Council.

The Police and Public Works departments, which are seen as the most crucial by inhabitants in case of emergencies, together employ two-thirds of the workforce.

7. Miami International Airport