Now far away in my new neck of the woods, the Morbihan Breton, reminds me again of my Florida, The old Central and South Florida of my family and birthplace of my 3 sons, and I am nostalgic enough to tell you about other towns fond of us over the years. After doing the trajects America ,Europe, America , and back to Europe, Of course this post will be in my black and white series,no pictures, I like to remind myself of some of the towns I spent a lot of my time and life while in Florida ,a special place ; the title is simple but the meaning is huge for us, this is my story in my other South Florida !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
Opa Locka is located in Miami-Dade county ,it is 19 km (12 miles) north of Miami, It was founded in 1926 by American aviator and industrialist Glenn Curtiss , who was inspired by the Middle Eastern folk tales of the One Thousand and One Nights. As such, the city has the largest collection of Moorish Revival architecture in the Western Hemisphere , and many of its roads bear names such as Sharazad Boulevard ,Sinbad Avenue , Sabur Lane , Sultan Avenue , Ali Baba Avenue , Perviz Avenue, and Sesame Street. The name Opa-locka is an abbreviation of a seminole place name, Opa-tisha-wocka-locka , meaning “wooded hummock”, “high, dry hummock”, or “a big island covered with many trees and swamps”.
Amelia Earhart launched her historic trip around the world from Miami Municipal Airport, established by the city’s founder,aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, then located in what is now the southern part of Opa-locka The German dirigible Graf Zeppelin visited the Naval Air Station Miami, which later became Opa-Locka Airport, as a regular stop on its Germany-Brazil-United States-Germany scheduled route In the 1950s, the Opa-locka airport specifically Building 67, became the site of a large CIA operation, PBSuccess, run by operatives including E. Howard Hunt. The operation helped launch the US led coup in Guatemala in 1954 and was a precursor to the Bay of Pigs invasion (Cuba) in 1961. The airfield center then served as a listening post for Cuba until the 82nd Airborne took over Opa-locka Airbase during the Cuban Missile Crisis, The sequence in the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger in which CIA agent Felix Leiter is tailing Oddjob, who is driving Mr. Solo to the airport, was filmed in Opa-Locka. It was, also for a while the base founding block of my university Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University which later in 1965 moved to Daytona Beach, where I went to school,
The city of Opa Locka: https://www.opalockafl.gov/138/Parks-Facilities
Bal Harbour is a village north of Miami , and is the northernmost barrier island in a chain that extends southward up to and including Key West. The main traffic corridor running south to north through Bal Harbour is Collins Avenue aka A1A road . A channel between the north end of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean runs across the northern end of Bal Harbour. A bridge, connects Bal Harbour to Haulover Park, to the north. My experience here other than driving and walking around was visiting Tiffany’s the disco at the Sheraton Bal Harbour 9701 Collins Avenue ,now the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. Also, visited the Bal Harbour shops.
A bit of history tell us that since the 1920s, the Detroit-based Miami Beach Heights Corporation owned 245 acres (0.99 km2) of undeveloped, partially swampy land that stretched from the bay to the Atlantic ocean The original name chosen for Bal Harbour was Bay Harbour. A name was invented to encompass a village that ran from the bay to the Atlantic Ocean. The b was taken from the word bay and the a and l were taken from the name Atlantic. Hence the word Bal was created ; the Village of Bal Harbour was incorporated on August 14, 1946, The first hotel, The Kenilworth By-the-Sea, made famous by Arthur Godfrey. It has since been demolished and is now the Kenilworth Condominium , Bal Harbour Village was re-incorporated by a special act of the 1947 Florida Legislature, and its own charter was issued June 16. In 1947, the Church by the Sea was built. In 1948, the Beach Club was built. Its restaurant was operated by Howard Johnson’s. In 1949, a new bridge was started over Haulover. In 1956, the current Village Hall was built. In 1956, the Hotel Americana was built. It became the Sheraton Hotel in 1980. It was demolished on November 18, 2007, to build a set of condos and a luxury aparthotel as . In 2008, The new Regent Bal Harbour opened, becoming the northern gateway to the Village, In 2012, The last oceanfront undeveloped Beach Club site was sold in order to make way to the ultra luxury Oceana at Bal Harbour. In 2014, The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour opened at the former Regent Bal Harbour and ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa , From 2015 onward, Bal Harbour has become known globally as a luxury enclave In the words of Town & Country magazine, Bal Harbour is the “ne plus ultra” of South Florida luxury
The village of Bal Harbour on tourism: https://www.balharbourflorida.com/discover-bal-harbour/history/
The Bal Harbour shops: https://www.balharbourshops.com/
Surfside was incorporated in 1935, and is a primarily residential beachside community, with several multistory condominium buildings adjacent to Surfside Beach on the Atlantic Ocean. The town is bordered on the south by the North Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach on the north by Bal Harbour, on the west by Biscayne Bay, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. The avenues in Surfside are named for British and American authors and run in alphabetical order from east to west. In 1979, 95th Street in Surfside was renamed “Isaac Singer Boulevard” to reflect the residency of the famous Yiddish author who lived on that street from 1977 until his death in 1991. This was my cruising town and some shopping for liquor at Big Daddy’s and eating out at the Hotel Surfside La Plage-Grand Beach French cuisine with the family
The town of Surfside: https://townofsurfsidefl.gov/departments-services/visit-surfside
Doral is a new town created shortly before we left Florida for France, it is located 8 km (5 miles) west of the Miami International Airport, and 21 km (13 miles) from Miami. In the late 1950s, real estate pioneers Alfred and Doris Kaskel purchased 2,400 acres (9.7 km2) of swampland between NW 36 Street and NW 74 Street and from NW 79 Avenue to NW 117 Avenue intending to build a golf course and hotel. In 1962, the Doral Country Club opened, featuring the blue, red, and par-3 golf courses, along with a hotel on Miami Beach (Doral). The “Doral” name is a combination of Doris and Alfred’s names, In January 2003, following a seven-year battle, 85% of Doral’s voters voted in favor of incorporation. In June of the same year, 92% voted to accept the City Charter and elected their first Mayor and City Council. I went to eateries here as was close to my job’s office and visit the Doral Country Club for our founding boss funeral,,,,Also, help the French American community sell wines to businesses in the area with the Maison Doral.(now gone)
The city of Doral : https://www.cityofdoral.com/visitors/
Miami Springs was founded by Glenn Curtiss , “The Father of Naval Aviation”, and James Bright, during the famous “land boom” of the 1920s and was originally named “Country Club Estates” A particular architecture and ambiance, in this case it was a regional style of architecture called Pueblo Revival (pueblo indians) developed in the American Southwest , primarily New Mexico , and incorporating design elements of pueblo architecture. Other buildings incorporated Mission style design. In fact, the original Hotel Country Club was designed to resemble a pueblo village, Shortly prior to incorporation in 1926, the city was renamed after a spring located in the area which provided parts of Miami with fresh water until the mid-1990s. The US route 27 (aka Okeechobee Rd) runs parallel to the Miami Springs/Hialeah border. It leads east 10 km (6 miles) to its southern terminus at the US Route 1 in Wynwood, Miami and northwest 6 km (4 miles) to Hialeah Gardens. To the south Miami Springs is bordered by Miami International Airport.
The Curtiss Mansion is a Pueblo style home that belonged to city founder Glenn Curtiss. Fair Haven Nursing Home is one of the oldest buildings in Miami Springs and is built in the pueblo style favored during the initial development Other than being around airlines such as Eastern and Pan Am, this town was my hangout for the old famous 747 ! This was the older Six West Lounge on S Royal Poinciana Blvd which later became the 747 Lounge always popular with aviation folks and me as was studying then.
The city of Miami Springs: https://www.miamisprings-fl.gov/tour
Kendall is an unincorporated area in Miami Dade County located 23 km (14 miles) from Miami, The US Route 1 forms the eastern boundary of Kendall; it leads northeast to Miami and southwest 26 km (16 miles) to Homestead. The Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike forms the western boundary of Kendall, leading north 16 km (10 miles) to Doral, and south 29 km (18 miles) to its southern terminus at Florida City. The Don Shula Expressway (FL SR 874) crosses Kendall from northeast to southwest. It is serve by Metrorail with stops at Dadeland North (SW 70th Avenue and U.S. 1) ,and Dadeland South (Dadeland Boulevard and U.S. 1) I came here a lot as my parents attorney was base near the shopping we did extensively at Dadeland Mall on US-1 as well as The Falls Mall.
Much of what is now Kendall was purchased from the State of Florida in 1883 by the Florida Land and Mortgage Company. It was named for Henry John Broughton Kendall, a director of the company, who moved to the area in the 1900s to manage the company’s land A post office opened in 1914, and the first school opened in 1929. After the end of the land boom in 1926, some residents left. Two Seminole camps were in the Kendall area, and Seminoles continued to live there into the 1940s.
The local Miami and the beaches tourist office on Kendall: https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/kendall
The official Dadeland Mall: https://www.simon.com/mall/dadeland-mall
The official The Falls Mall: https://www.simon.com/mall/the-falls
Florida City lies to the south and west of, and is contiguous with,Homestead. The city originated as a land promotion named “Detroit”. There were no buildings in the area when the first thirty families arrived in 1910 The name was changed to “Florida City” when the town incorporated in 1914 The city is at the eastern end of the only road running through the Everglades National Park, which terminates at Flamingo. Florida City is the southernmost city in the United States which is not on an island. It is also the last stop on the mainland north of the Florida Keys. The southern terminus of the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike where it ends at its junction with US Route 1 located in Florida City. Along with serving as the mainland entrance to the Florida Keys ,Florida City also serves as the gateway to the main section of the Everglades National Park. I came by here often to the keys, the area is known to have plenty of mosquitos and spreading in season is necessary, We ,also, stop avoiding the mosquitos to the Florida City Mall The Florida Pioneer Museum focuses on the people who settled South Dade early in the 20th century. It also has a number of artifacts, books and photographs about Henry Flagler’s Key West Extension, which was converted to a highway after the Labor Day hurricane of 1935.
It is rather a city of passage that we cross to go to the entrance to the Everglades. If you want to take a break on the road, then head for the Florida Keys Out Marketplace. More than 50 brands are gathered in a tropical setting surrounded by palm trees, We shopped couple times at the Florida Keys Outlet Marketplace 250 E Palm Dr, Florida City, Its an outlet mall stop by for barbains if know the prices, The official Fl Keys Outlet Marketplace: https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/florida-keys-outlet-marketplace
From alligators to exotic snakes, a day at the Everglades Alligator Farm is an exciting experience. Even though the farm is landscaped with shade trees, orchids, ponds and waterfalls, it is a working alligator farm with more than 2,000 gators. During a visit, you can watch an alligator show, and witness an alligator feeding Gliding across the glades aboard a high-speed airboat is easily the most exciting part of a visit to the Everglades Alligator Farm. You’ll spy on alligators in the wild, as well as turtles and tropical wading birds. It’s an exciting ride as the boat zooms across the river of grass making hairpin turns across a habitat you won’t see anywhere else. The official Everglades Alligator Farm : https://everglades.com/
The official city of Florida City : https://www.floridacityfl.gov/tourism/
The City of Homestead,the second oldest city in Miami-Dade County, and is nearly 110 years old. It opened to homesteaders in 1898. At the time the only way in and out of the area was through a path called the “Homesteaders Trail”. In 1904, Henry Flagler decided to extend the railroad from Miami to Key West. Many of the workers who helped build the railroad stayed in the area and founded the City of Homestead in 1913 It is located between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. At about 42 km ( 26 miles from Miami, and 40 km (25 miles) from Key Largo. The principal highways linking Homestead with the rest of Miami-Dade County are the US Route 1, the Florida Turnpike and FL SR 997. The Florida Turnpike has three exits (6, 5 and 2) as it runs south before eventually terminating at US 1 in Florida City. US 1 (Homestead Blvd.) runs roughly through the middle of the city, and is the only way to continue to the Florida Keys. State Road 997 (Krome Ave.) runs north–south through the historic downtown district. I must say here that of all the towns on this post ;Homestead has developed the most amazing from a backward country town it was when I lived in South Florida.
The Seminole Theatre is the premiere performing arts center of Homestead The first completed section of the Biscayne-Everglades Greenway trail. The section runs from East Mowry Drive to SW 137 Avenue. When completed, the BEG trail will be a 42-mile loop that will take riders through Downtown Homestead and connect them directly to Biscayne and Everglades National Parks. Offering a fresh selection of fruits and vegetables you already know like mangos, avocados and coconuts, Robert is Here also grows some truly exotic tropical fruits you may never have heard of before. It is located at 19200 SW 344th Street ,The Fruit & Spice Park is a unique destination dedicated to cultivating tropical fruit trees in a lush, accessible and interactive environment. Today, the Fruit & Spice Park is a 37-acre subtropical paradise nestled in the heart of the historic Redland community just 35 miles south of Miami. Surrounded by thousands of acres of tropical agriculture, this one visited and it is superbe! Located at 24801 SW 187th Avenue,
For racing fans, seeing an event at Homestead-Miami Speedway since 1993 is an unforgettable experience The 600-acre facility has a 1.5-mile oval course and a 2.21-mile road course. It features events and activities 280 days a year, so head down to the track almost any time to experience the track You can reserve a spot at the NASCAR Racing Experience, which puts you behind the wheel of a race car. Also at the Speedway, the AMR Motorplex, a premier go-kart track with a kart shop and rentals, holds its own races and events. If you’d like to test your car against others, go to one of the Fast-LAne Friday events, which are held once or twice a month. These drag-racing events are open to anyone 18 years and older with a valid driver’s license and proof of registration and insurance. Held from 6 p.m. until midnight, the races pit drivers against each other in their own cars down the 1,760-foot straightaway as spectators cheer them on.
Herbert Hoover Marina at Homestead Bayfront Park This marina is situated on southern Biscayne Bay near coral reefs and the marine sanctuaries of the Florida Keys. Amenities include a natural atoll pool, a boat hoist, launching ramps, wet slips and a bait and tackle shop. There’s also a restaurant on site, called La Playa Grill Seafood & Bar and a full-line snack bar at the beach with a playground, grills and a picnic area. You can rent water sport equipment here, as well. Water, water everywhere. That’s Biscayne National Park
, the largest marine sanctuary in the U.S. National Parks system. Ninety-five percent of its nearly 173,000 acres is in Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a world-class aquatic wonderland , It is made up of four ecosystems: coastal mangrove hammocks, Biscayne Bay’s shallow lagoon waters, coral limestone keys and the third-largest offshore reef in the world. These ecosystems sustain thousands of wildlife species, including 20 that are threatened or endangered, such as the manatee, hawksbill sea turtle and American crocodile. Part of the Biscayne Birding Trail , the park also boasts more than 110 species of birds, including the roseate spoonbill, wood stork and the ultra-rare mangrove cuckoo. The area is also home to 600 native fish species. You can paddle and snorkel as well as boat launches!
Made of 1,100 tons of coral rock, the Coral Castle Museum is an unusual and fascinating attractions.
Built single-handedly over the course of 28 years, Coral Castle is both a feast for the eyes with its mind-bending sculpture garden carved of massive coral rock, and a legendary love story about the man who created it.In 1919, at the age of 31, Latvian-born Edward Leedskalnin moved to Florida City as a heartbroken man having been left by his betrothed Agnes Scuffs just a day before their wedding in Riga, Latvia. Leedskalnin spent about 18 years in Florida City before buying a plot of land in Homestead, 10 miles away. He’d already begun construction of his Coral Castle and spent three years painstakingly moving his sculptured carvings to what would become their permanent home. Coral Castle has been compared to the mysteries and monumental accomplishments of the pyramids in Egypt, Stonehenge in England and the Taj Mahal in India. It’s believed that Leedskalnin was single-mindedly determined to build a monument to his lost love. He completed the coral rock carvings in the early 1940s. The oolite coral walls of the castle, which are over 2 meters tall (8 feet), over a meter wide (4 feet) and about a meter (3 feet) thick, weigh more than 58 tons. It is located at 28655 S Dixie Highway,
The City of Homestead : https://www.homesteadfl.gov/9/Visitors
The Florida state tourist office on south Florida: https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/
There you go folks , now you more of my Florida,and heck even me lol !! We fondly remembered the Sunshine State, and love it. We made a decision to move to France and we do not regretted either as it has been a roller coaster of fun and memories. Now ,the French reason is gone, but we still very much attach to France thanks to her courage and determination. My Martine, never to be forgotten. Again, hope you enjoy this nostalgic post on my other South Florida as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 