1922
Seminoles & settlers
In 1922, the Curtiss-Bright Company expanded the Miami-Hialeah Golf Course further west after raising $75,000 in bonds. To bring the vision to life, many Seminole Indians from Big Cypress Swamp were hired to help develop the course, with Seminole leader Willie Willie overseeing the grass planting. This early collaboration between developers and the Seminole people played a key role in shaping the lush greens of what would later become the Miami Springs Golf Course.
Seminole leader
Willie Willie
1923
the golf course
On January 1, 1923, Miami’s very first golf course, the Miami-Hialeah Golf Course (now known as the Miami Springs Golf Course), opened its doors to the community. More than 100 golfers came out to play.
At first, only the front nine holes were ready, but the back nine was set to open within two months. To celebrate the grand opening, families and golf lovers could play for free during the first 10 days.
This beautiful course soon became a favorite gathering place for families, friends, and golf enthusiasts, making Miami Springs an important part of Florida’s golfing history.
1924
warren pony swing bridge
This historic steel off-center pivot "bob tail" swing bridge, constructed on-site in 1924, has played a vital role in the development of the Hialeah-Miami Springs area. Spanning the Miami Canal, the bridge connects Okeechobee Road in Hialeah to Curtiss Parkway in Miami Springs. As the first major bridge linking both banks of the canal, it has remained a crucial transportation route for a century.
Pioneers Glenn H. Curtiss and James Bright, founders of Hialeah and Miami Springs, were instrumental in the bridge's creation, even providing financial assistance to Dade County to support its construction. Today, this remarkable engineering feat stands as a testament to the region’s early development and continues to serve travelers just as it did nearly a century ago.
1924
the hunting lodge
Built-in 1924 by Glenn Curtiss, this
one-story log cabin, known initially as the Hialeah Shooting Park, was a gathering place for local shooting and archery enthusiasts. From 1926 to 1933, the rustic hunting lodge took on a new role, serving as an elementary school, the smallest in the Dade County public school system. This historic structure remains a testament to the community's early days, reflecting its adaptability and rich heritage.
1925
1st residents of country club estates
In the early days of Country Club Estates (now Miami Springs), a stately home stood proudly at 27 Hunting Lodge Drive. Built in 1924 by the Curtiss Bright Company, this home was one of the four original houses in the budding community. It belonged to J. Alden Michael, a respected realtor and longtime friend of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss.
By 1926, Michael had established his real estate office in the Clune Stadnik Engineering building at the Circle, playing a key role in shaping the development of the area. Alongside his wife, Minnie, the couple became known as the first residents of Country Club Estates, marking the beginning of a thriving neighborhood that would grow into the vibrant community of Miami Springs.
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1925
the osceola apartments
On January 25, 1925, John M. O'Connor was permitted to construct an apartment building in the growing Country Club Estates development. The Osceola Apartments project was designed to provide modern living accommodations for the expanding community.
By January 1, 1926, construction was complete, and the 18 "family homes," as they were called, were ready for new residents. These apartments quickly became sought-after rentals, offering comfortable living at a rate of $75 per month, a reflection of Country Club Estates' promising future.
1925
pure water
In 1925, engineers working for aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss discovered an abundant source of pure water beneath the Miami-Hialeah Golf Club. the Curtiss-Bright Company transferred the water rights from the golf course to the City of Miami. They also granted easements for wooden aqueducts—still running beneath the golf course—extending along Curtiss Parkway to the Hialeah "Preston Water Treatment Plant." The freshwater wells on the golf course then became the city's first organized water supply system, replacing the old method where residents relied on individual wells.
1925
The Mansion
Glenn Curtiss designed this charming two-story Pueblo-Mission style mansion, as his personal residence. Overlooking the eastern perimeter of the golf course, it was the largest of the Pueblo-themed homes built by the Curtiss-Bright Company as part of the Country Club Estates development. This distinctive home remains a significant landmark, reflecting Curtiss’s vision and architectural influence in the area.
1925
the heart of the city
In 1925, the Circle began to take form, quickly becoming a lively gathering place for the growing community. Photographs from that time capture its original bandstand, where families and neighbors came together for performances, celebrations, and social events.
Over the years, the Circle has evolved with various updates. In the 1970s, a fountain was added to the center, though it remained only for a short time. Despite these transformations, the Circle has continued to serve as a beloved landmark, a place where residents connect, and a lasting symbol of Miami Springs' rich heritage.
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1925
The resilient clune-stadnik building
One of the first buildings constructed in Miami Country Club Estates, the Clune-Stadnik Building is the only remaining structure from the original “civic center” envisioned by Glenn Curtiss. Built in 1925, this historic landmark has withstood the test of time, surviving hurricanes, floods, fires, burglaries, and buy-out attempts.
Located "on the Circle", the building stands with an unmistakable presence, a symbol of the city’s rich history. Originally built and occupied by the Curtiss-Bright Company, it served as the office of Chief Engineer Daniel Clune, playing a vital role in the early development of Miami Springs. Today, it remains a cherished part of the community’s heritage.
1925
the nightclub
One of the largest nightclubs in Dade County, the Arabian Nights Cabaret, once stood on the third block of what would later become Westward Drive in Miami Springs. This glamorous venue opened its doors on December 29, 1925, offering entertainment and nightlife to the growing community. However, its time was short-lived, as the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926, devastated the club, bringing an abrupt end to its brief, but vibrant existence.
1926
the birth of a town
On the evening of August 23, 1926,
75 registered voters gathered at the Curtiss-Bright Administration Building to make history. In a unanimous vote, they officially incorporated the Town of Country Club Estates, laying the foundation for what would later become Miami Springs. This moment marked the beginning of a thriving community,
built on the vision of
Glenn Curtiss and James Bright.
1926
the great hurricane
The Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 made landfall on September 18th. It was a category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 145 mph causing catastrophic damage across South Florida. The hurricane was one of the deadliest in U.S. history, killing over 370 people and leaving thousands homeless. It marked the beginning of a long economic downturn for South Florida.
1927
hotel country club
Construction of the Hotel Country Club in Miami Springs, began in 1927. The hotel was designed in the Pueblo Revival style by architect Bernard E. Muller and was intended to serve as a luxurious centerpiece for the Country Club Estates development.
1927
the flood
In 1927, heavy rains caused severe flooding in Miami Springs, submerging streets, homes, and businesses. As water levels rose, residents used boats to navigate the flooded areas, and many were forced to evacuate. The disaster highlighted the need for better drainage and flood control systems, prompting future improvements to protect the growing community. Despite the devastation, Miami Springs rebuilt and strengthened its infrastructure, demonstrating the city's resilience in the face of natural challenges.
1928
the band stand
Here's a fantastic snapshot from 1928, showcasing the lively bandstand in the Miami Springs Circle! Flanking the scene are the Clune Engineering Building on the right and a distant view of downtown Hialeah on the left. But the real stars? The lovely ladies enjoying the day: Elizabeth Lewis, Ruth Dunning, and Clara Marik, from left to right. This photo captures the essence of early Miami Springs community life, full of music and good company!
1929
a new era
Amid the 1929 economic downturn, Glenn Curtiss sold the hotel to his friend, health pioneer Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, for "$10 and other valuable considerations," transforming it into a health spa.
Dr. Kellogg lived and worked at the Miami Battle Creek Sanitarium, where he treated patients, developed soy-based foods, wrote extensively, and raised his adopted family, leaving a lasting mark on the community.
1929
Curtiss & his aerocar
Take a look at this fascinating 1929 photo featuring Glenn H. Curtiss and his innovative invention, captured at his very own estate in Country Club Estates (our beloved Curtiss Mansion!). Curtiss cooked up the Aerocar in 1927, with production happening right here in Opa-locka. It's a testament to the visionary spirit that helped shape Miami Springs!
