1920-1930

A municipal airport is completed in Miami

A city in need of an airport

Despite the establishment of private and military airfields and flying schools, Miami still did not have a well-equipped city-owned airport as the 1920s began to wind down. Hialeah’s 54th Street Airfield lacked lighting, rock runways or any of the facilities necessary to adequately support Miami’s growing place in aviation.

City drags its heels

As early as 1921, famed aviator and inventor turned local developer Glenn Curtiss had offered to turn over land in Hialeah for a municipal airport, but the offer was never formally taken up. In July 1925 Curtiss announced his intention of building a new city, Opa Locka, pledging to include a municipal landing field there. In April of 1926, the City Commission asked Curtiss to give them a formal plan for donation of the Opa Locka field. The plan provided for the donation of 160 acres located at Gratigny and LeJeune Road on the condition that the City invest $25K for ground facilities during the first year. Another year passed without definite steps being taken.

Pan Am’s plans spur urgency

However, when, in July 1927, Miamians heard that Pan Am was planning to set up regular service from Key West, pressure increased exponentially to build a new municipal airport in Miami.

Ground is broken at Gratigny and LeJeune

Construction on the Curtiss-donated land at Gratigny and Le Jeune was begun in December 1927. The City paid for a 90 x 100 foot steel hangar to be built with a connecting shop and a concrete floor. Rolled rock runways, 200 feet wide at the center, were constructed from all corners of the airport. Additional funds were furnished for boundary lights, floodlights and a revolving beacon. The field was sodded and an administration building constructed, as well as waiting rooms and a comfort station. An additional 60 acres adjoining the original tract were also purchased for future expansion.

Flying School and Air Mail are launched

On November 16th, 1928 the Curtiss Flying Service began operating a flying school at the new airport. On December 1, Pitcairn Aviation, which had bought out what had remained of Florida Airways after it ceased operations in 1927, commenced regular Air Mail delivery from Miami Municipal Airport to Atlanta and on to New York.

Jubilant dedication celebrated with air show

On January 7, 1929, the Municipal Airport was formally dedicated. The long-awaited event was celebrated with a spectacular aerial exhibition, the first of Miami’s iconic All-American Air Maneuvers, a decades-long tradition held almost every year thereafter until the early 1950s.

Facilities expanded

A second hangar built in 1929 by the Curtiss Wright Flying School to house its considerable activities was inaugurated on February 9, 1930. The domed roof building included four towers and an observation deck, along with administrative offices and classrooms. The ground floor housed shops and a parts department. Ten aircraft were available for training, with another 15 designated for sightseeing and charter flights — 25 aircraft in all. When the Flying School was dedicated, it was estimated that by the end of 1930, the total number of active students would be 225.

Military use ends commercial operations

Miami’s Municipal Airport continued to operate until August 1942, when it was taken over by the Navy for wartime miltary use. It was declared officially inactive by the Navy on May 12, 1948.

At left: Municipal Airport, circa 1932. Photo courtesy Miami-Dade Public Library, Gleason Romer collection.