On January 4, 1930, the headlines of the Miami Herald reported that “a new era of adventure for Miamians and visitors” had begun with the opening of the Curtiss Wright marine base and flying service at Biscayne Boulevard. “Inspection is invited and charter trips will begin….”

Bayfront seaplane base offers host of services

Located on Biscayne Bay at the foot of 8th Street, the Curtiss Wright seaplane base was billed as “Miami’s first downtown air terminal.” The newly-constructed Spanish-style administration building, built by Sandquist & Snow, featured a waiting room which led directly to the seaplane landing platform, office space for customs and health inspection officials and a tea room. Operations were based on seasonal demand. In addition to all types of charter service, “sporting and pleasure jaunts” were advertised, as well as special sightseeing trips and aerial cruises in and around Miami and Miami Beach. Charter flight services included flights to Bimini, Nassau, Palm Beach and Key West. The base was also used as a training ground for the Curtiss-Wright Flying Circus exhibition team, which performed at barnstorming events across the country.

First of two new Curtiss Wright Greater Miami bases

The new base was able to accommodate 15 to 25 seaplanes. When the Curtiss Wright Flying School was inaugurated at the Municipal Airport in Opa Locka the following month, the two new bases provided services and training for both land and marine based flight operations, firmly establishing Curtiss Wright Flying Service as a significant contributor to Miami’s available aviation resources.

Popular Captain Harry Rogers put in charge

The Curtiss Wright Marine Division was placed under the supervision of Capt. Harry Rogers. Rogers was a well-known and popular figure in local aviation circles, having originally come to Miami as a senior pilot for Aero Limited as early as 1919. Capt. Rogers had also owned and operated Rogers Air Lines, a seasonal charter operation, in Miami for the previous six years.

Adverse events bring about early closure

Curtiss Wright’s new ventures in Miami suffered a devastating blow only a few months after they were launched. In July 1930, company founder and guiding light, aviation giant Glenn Curtiss, unexpectedly died at age 52 as the result of a blood clot following an emergency appendectomy. Perhaps inevitably, a winding down of operations ensued. Harry Rogers transferred to the company’s New York metropolitan base. Sadly, he was killed in a plane crash on Long Island in April of 1932. In October 1932, Curtiss Wright’s Municipal Airport hangar and facilities were leased to Florida Skyways Aviation Company. Although it was announced at the time that Curtiss Wright area manager, L.W. Botts, would continue to be headquartered at the seaplane base on Biscayne Boulevard, a year later, on October 19, 1933, the base was converted and reopened as a fresh seafood market. How long the seaplane landing platform remained in use is unclear, but Reid’s Seafood became a popular local fixture at 829 Biscayne Boulevard and remained there until the early 1950s.