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1930
a lasting legacy
On July 23, 1930, aviation pioneer and
Miami Springs founder Glenn Curtiss passed away at the age of 52 due to complications from an appendicitis surgery in
Buffalo, New York. Though his life was cut short, his impact on aviation, urban development, and innovation endured. As a visionary entrepreneur, he helped shape Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Opa-locka, leaving behind a legacy of progress, ingenuity, and community building that continues to define the region today.
1936
a community’s firstplace of worship
Located at 301 Westward Drive, the First Presbyterian Church of Miami Springs was built in 1936, making it the first church in the city. Designed in the Mission style, it features a small bell tower that adds to its historic charm.
To fund its construction, church members came together, purchasing cement blocks for just 10 cents each, demonstrating the community’s dedication. The original church building still stands at the corner of Westward and Morningside Drives, a lasting symbol of faith and unity in Miami Springs.
1937
a Community milestone
The construction of Miami Springs Elementary School was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project funded by the federal government. Work began on
October 30, 1936, and the school officially opened on November 7, 1937.
Designed as a one-story, U-shaped building, it featured 12 classrooms. The project received $25,000 in federal funding, with an additional $3,000 from the school board, bringing the total construction cost to $28,000.
This historic photo, taken on March 28, 1938, captures the school's first kindergarten class, marking the beginning of its long-standing role in the Miami Springs community.
1937
miami springs law enforcement
In 1937, the Miami Springs Police Department was a small but highly efficient team led by Town Marshal Walter D. Kniffin. The force included four officers—two on duty during the day and two at night—who patrolled the town in a single car equipped with a radio (courtesy of a contract with the Miami Police radio station), ensuring a response time of just two minutes. Key officers, including Hugh Frank, E.P. Lott, L.J. Cropper, and Hoyt Buxton, kept the community safe. Later, Town Marshal Kniffin joined the U.S. Marines in World War II and tragically lost his life in the Battle of Iwo Jima. (Photo: Looking east with the Curtiss Bright Administration Building in the background.)
1939
the water tower
In 1939, the Miami Springs Water Tower was built to support the city’s growing residential and commercial needs. The 135-foot-tall structure held 100,000 gallons and was strategically placed of what is now east of the Lion’s Club turning basin, just north of N. Royal Poinciana Blvd. The tower played a crucial role in providing water pressure to homes and businesses, helping Miami Springs develop into a thriving town. The picture was taken in 1952, when a 12-year-old boy climbed to the top of the tower, sparking a tense moment as his father scaled the structure to bring him down safely. As Miami Springs' water infrastructure modernized, the tower became obsolete and was demolished around 1960. The vacant property was later auctioned off by the town in 1961, bringing an end to this once-vital landmark.
1939
the women's club
Founded in May 1939, the Miami Springs Women's Club quickly became a vital charitable, educational, and social force in the community. One of its early projects was establishing the town’s first public library, which initially housed 171 donated books in a small back room of the Municipal Building—books contributed by residents at a Library Tea held at the Miami Battle Creek Sanitarium (now Fairhavens). To support the library, founding member Lena Pearl Curtiss Wheeler donated two lots, valued at $20,000, in memory of her mother and her late husband's mother. Funds to build the structure were raised by the club through various fundraisers during the 1940s.
