Miami-Dade County mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, joined local government leaders at Miami International Airport yesterday to unveil a new wall mural honouring pioneering aviator and land developer Glenn Curtiss.
The mural features historic images and milestones of the neighbouring cities of Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka, which he founded 100 years ago and are all currently celebrating their centennial anniversary.
“I’m thrilled to see this mural on display at MIA, honouring the legacy of Glenn Curtiss and the centennial anniversaries of Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-locka,” stated Cava.
“As MIA continues its transformation, installations like this reflect our commitment to enhancing the passenger experience by showcasing the unique culture and history of Miami-Dade County from the moment visitors arrive.”
Long before Miami-Dade County became a global gateway, Curtiss imagined communities built around innovation, mobility, and modern living – where aviation would redefine how people connected to place and to one another.
Working with fellow pioneers, Curtiss played a defining role in founding Hialeah in 1925 and Miami Springs and Opa-locka in 1926.
Hialeah, envisioned as “The City of Progress,” has grown into a dynamic centre of industry and culture, shaped in large part by its immigrant community. Opa-locka captured the imagination through its Moorish Revival style and Arabian Nights–inspired identity, making it one of the most distinctively planned cities in the nation.
While Miami Springs emerged as a carefully designed residential oasis, known for its Pueblo Revival architecture and human-scale charm.
The mural is on display at MIA’s Connecting Communities Wall on the arrivals level near door 11 courtesy of MIA’s collaboration with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and other local cultural organisations.