Opa-locka Preservation Association

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Opa-locka Preservation Association

Preserving the history, places, and stories of Opa-locka, Florida founded in 1926.

05/25/2026

WE HONOR THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN SERVICE TO OUR NATION. 🇺🇸

Opa-locka’s history is deeply connected to the legacy of military service and aviation. During World War II, what is now the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport served as a major military installation for both the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, training thousands who answered the call to serve.

This 1958 newspaper clipping promoting Opa-locka’s Memorial Day Parade is a reminder of how this community has long come together to remember, reflect, and pay tribute to those who never returned home.

Today, we continue that tradition, honoring the fallen, recognizing the courage of our service members, and preserving the stories that shaped our city and our country.

May we never forget their sacrifice.

05/21/2026

Happy birthday to Opa-locka’s founder, Glenn Curtiss, who would’ve been 148 years old today!

To celebrate his birthday and Opa-locka’s founding, city leaders and officials came together on this day in 1978 to commemorate his 100th birthday with the naming of the back courtyard of historic city hall as the Glenn H. Curtiss Memorial Garden.

Joining the occasion and pictured here is Opa-locka Mayor Rev. Willie L. Young, Vice Mayor Beulah Robbins, Comissioner Kyle E. Jones, Opa-locka Chamber President Rev. Thomas Cook, local historian and author Frank Fitzgerald-Bush, special guest Mrs. Glenn H. Curtiss, Jr., and Florida Secretary of State Bruce A. Smathers.

Also presented that day: an oil portrait of Curtiss presented by the Civil Air Patrol. Today, this painting is located somewhere in Opa-locka Government Center.

Unfortunately, the plaque has since gone missing. Perhaps the City will do these past leaders the honor of replacing it with a replica.

Happy birthday to a brilliant man. ✈️ 🕌

05/17/2026

Anyone remember this special item featured in the from 40 years ago?

A commemorative Opa-locka pin was made for the 1986 Arabian Nights Festival, a year prior to the grand restoration of the historic city hall building and 10 years after the publishing of “A Dream of Araby: Glenn Curtiss and the Founding of Opa-locka” from author Frank S. Fitzgerald-Bush. That year was especially important as it was the 60th anniversary of Opa-locka’s founding.

The beloved Arabian Nights Festival returned yesterday after 25 years of being dormant, just in time for the centennial birthday weekend.

What did you think of the event? Share your comments below! 👇

05/14/2026

As of today, Opa-locka is officially a centennial city.

In 1925, American aviator and inventor Glenn Curtiss set out to build something unlike anything else in America: a storybook city in northern Dade County inspired by “The Arabian Nights.”

The setting was more than 1,300 acres of land owned by Curtiss and cattle rancher James Bright. The vision would be brought to life through the talent of architect Bernhardt E. Muller, who used the famed collection of tales as inspiration to create a city unified by a bold and imaginative Orientalist architectural theme.

That same year, news broke of Curtiss’ third major development venture, closely tied to the Seaboard Air Line Railway’s decision to make Opa-locka the first station in northern Dade County. Shortened from Opa-Tish-Cho-Wa-Ko-Locka, the name Opa-locka was inspired by the language of the Seminoles and is often interpreted to mean “the high land north of the little river on which there is an old camping place.” In the early 1900s, the area was known as Cook’s Hammock.

With Coral Gables town planner Clinton MacKenzie shaping the urban design and Muller defining its architectural identity, Opa-locka quickly rose from the sands of Florida.

On May 14, 1926, 28 registered voters gathered at the newly constructed public safety building - today’s historic fire and police station at 151 N. Perviz Avenue - and voted to incorporate the Town of Opa-locka.

05/13/2026

Spotlight on the new owner of one of Opa-locka’s last great historic buildings, the Bush Apartments on Sesame Street! With May being National Historic Preservation Month, we can’t think of a better project (and person) to feature.

Marilyn Regueira is a Miami-based real estate investor and preservation-focused property owner who has managed her family and personal portfolio of residential properties for more than two decades. Over the past 12 years, her work has focused on the restoration of historic, boutique multifamily properties, primarily in Little Havana.

Her approach is hands-on and long-term, grounded in a respect for original architectural character and a commitment to thoughtful, phased restoration. Marilyn draws on her background in interior design to guide decisions that balance authenticity with livability. Among her most meaningful projects is the restoration of her late uncle’s distinctive coral rock hom, an effort that reflects her dedication to preserving both architectural and family legacy.

Her latest endeavor, the restoration of a unique Moorish-style fourplex in Opa-locka, carries special significance. The structure, completed in 1927, is one of the few remaining landmarks representing the themed Arabian Nights vision connected to the city’s chief architect, Bernhardt Muller. Opa-locka, incorporated in May 1926, is the ambition of famed aviator and city founder Glenn Curtiss, a product of the Florida Land Boom movement of the 1920s.

Through her work, Marilyn continues to support the preservation of Miami’s architectural heritage, ensuring future generations can experience its history and timeless beauty.

This is a building that will require a tremendous amount of TLC, but we believe Marilyn is the best thing to happen to the Bush Apartments in decades. We look forward to sharing her progress in the coming months.

05/06/2026

Simple, yet direct request to : can we please leave these banner poles up in perpetuity? They look amazing and need to be used well past our centennial year.

Nice job decorating our historic city with these beautiful banners that feature the newly revealed 100th anniversary emblem.

Opa-locka’s official 100th birthday is in ONE WEEK , May 14! Initially incorporated as a town, it would become Dade’s eighth municipality, today one of 34.

Does anyone know where the vote to charter the city took place? Hint: the building still stands and it MAY look like a horse barn!

05/05/2026

It’s not a safe place to live.

It’s not clean.

It’s corrupt.

There’s too much crime.

Well, we’ve heard it all. And honestly, it’s not without reason. However, there’s 1001 more reasons than ever to truly believe that Opa-locka is shining brighter than it has in a long time.

We are safe, no less than many neighborhood cities.

We have A and B-rated schools.

Capital improvements are being prioritized annually.

Trees are being planted (albeit not as fast as we’d like!).

Home prices are more reasonable than many other areas in the county.

Our community redevelopment agency (CRA) is busy with building improvements and land acquisitions for future redevelopment.

And that’s just naming a few high level items.

Oh, and historic preservation has been activated once again, with the city now offering the public a 15-station heritage trail and a history museum at the historic train station.

As we prepare to celebrate our centennial on May 14, we ask you to reevaluate your preexisting understanding of Opa-locka, as we invite you to be part of our future.

Opa-locka, where history, heritage, and the future come together. Come discover it for yourself.

📷 Photo: The Opa-locka Regional Service Center, built in 1999 in a Moorish - Egyptian motif.

04/27/2026

It’s all about community, and that’s what the Opa-locka Preservation Association seeks to enrich.

Yesterday, historic Opa-locka homeowners and supporters gathered at the 1927 Dove House, a registered landmark, for one very important reason: a BBQ! Our first Sunday social was great, and we can’t wait to establish regular gatherings of like minds to help better our city while sharing our stories.

Our mission is simple: to elevate Opa-locka’s historic and natural environment through preservation projects and community events. We care as much about our historic architecture as we do about the native trees and landscaping that make our city look beautiful. Anything less will not stand.

Interested to hear more? Please contact us at [email protected] or via direct message on Instagram.

04/25/2026

10B, the only I-95 exit in South Florida that matters to us. 😝 🕌 Hope everyone has a beautiful weekend in historic Opa-locka!

04/24/2026

Preservation efforts in Opa-locka are being celebrated by our regional leaders!

Last week, local preservation organization Dade Heritage Trust honored Opa-locka nonprofit Ten North Group and citizen preservationist Alex Van Mecl with the Organizational Excellence Award for creating the Opa-locka Heritage Trail and the Opa-locka Museum of Art & History.

The two-part initiative began in 2023 through an agreement with the City of Opa-locka to develop a downtown heritage walking experience. Unveiled in April 2024, the Opa-locka Heritage Trail highlights the city’s founding history. That December, as part of the annual Art of Transformation showcase, Ten North Group opened “Tales of Opa-locka: A Heritage Journey,” a permanent indoor exhibition that complements the Heritage Trail by expanding the story to encompass the community’s full 100-year history.

The exhibit, known as the Opa-locka Museum of Art & History, is located at the historic Seaboard Air Line Train Station (490 Ali Baba Avenue). It is open by appointment or on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - always free. The Opa-locka Heritage Trail is a 15-stop outdoor experience that begins at 151 N. Perviz Avenue, the site of the historic Opa-locka fire and police hall.

Both experiences were created and produced by Opa-locka resident and citizen preservationist Alex Van Mecl and funded largely by Ten North Group with financial support from the State of Florida Division of Historical Resources

We thank Dade Heritage Trust for recognizing our accomplishments over the past two years, as well as for the opportunity to be featured in the 2026 edition of their annual Preservation Today magazine. Opa-locka’s 100th anniversary in May 2026 is sure to be a memorable milestone!

Photo 1: (L to R) Opa-locka resident Alex Van Mecl with Ten North Group CFO Jeff Bridges
Photo 2: The Organizational Excellence Award presented to Ten North Group for the Opa-locka Heritage Trail and Museum, awarded on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Coco Plum Women’s Club in Coral Gables.

Address

Opa-Locka, FL
33054

Website

http://www.discoveropalocka.org/

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