1960s: Space Race – Jet Age
Miami Springs population in 1960: 11,229
September 1960s: Hurricane Donna
Hurricane Donna was a Category 4 storm that hit the Florida Keys before scraping the west and crossing the peninsula. While not a direct hit on Miami-Dade County, records show that Miami International Airport received wind gusts of up to 97 M.P.H. In other words, Miami Springs would have seen hurricane force winds and the accompanying tree damage and wind damage associated with a category 1-2 hurricane.
June 1961: Palmetto Expressway Opens
The opening of the Palmetto Expressway gave Miami Springs residents easy access to move north and south and reach destinations like the University of Miami.
Today, the Palmetto Expressway continues to provide residents with high speed access to areas in Hialeah, Miami-Lakes, Westchester, South Miami, and Pinecrest.
December, 1961: State Road 112 Completed
Airport Expressway (SR-112) opened, linking NW 36th St/I-95/I-195 and giving Miami Springs/MIA a high-speed east–west spine. This highway allows residents from Miami Springs to reach Miami Beach or downtown Miami in as little as 10-15 minutes during light traffic. This highway is a major factor in the convenience of living in Miami Springs.
December 4, 1962:
Town of Miami Springs becomes the City of Miami Springs
As a reminder, Miami Springs was originally incorporated as “Country Club Estates.” In 1930, the Town Council officially changed the name of the City from Country Club Estates to the Town of Miami Springs. Then in 1962, the city changed its name to what it is today: The City of Miami Springs.
August 27, 1964: Hurricane Cleo
According to WikiPedia, Hurricane Cleo “was the first to directly strike Miami since Hurricane King in the 1950 season.[1] Cleo intensified rapidly just prior to landfall, bringing sustained winds of 100–105 mph (161–169 km/h) with gusts to 135 mph (217 km/h) to the Miami area.”
September 1964: Opening of Miami Springs Senior High
Miami Springs Senior High opened after Labor Day in 1964. The opening was delayed thanks to Hurricane Cleo on August 27th.
In 2026, Miami Springs Senior High merged with Miami Springs Middle School to become the Miami Springs 6-12 Preparatory Academy.
Miami Springs Senior High is now Miami Springs 6-12 Preparatory Academy
November 15, 1964: New City Hall
The City of Miami Springs opens the new City Hall at its current location at Westward Drive and Park Street.
Nov 15, 1964 Official opening of the new $219,000 Miami Springs City Hall. by Ken Wilde
1965: Construction of Miami Springs Baptist Church
Construction of the Miami Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Hankins Parker alongside one of the giant beams for the roof of the sanctuary back in 1965.
In 2024, the Miami Springs Baptist Church was demolished as it was less expensive to demolish and rebuild than to repair the existing building.
1965: Freedom Flights Begin from Cuba
Fidel Castro’s communist regime lead to a massive exodus of Cubans to Miami via the Freedom Flights. The flights began on December 1, 1965 and continued through April 6, 1973. This would be the beginning of several waves of immigration that would impact the population of Miami Springs.
What does this have to do with Miami Springs? Today, Hispanics are the largest ethnic group in Miami Springs with Cuban Americans representing the largest group.
1966: Ronald Patrick O’Rourke – Army – May 20, 1947 – Aug 25,1966
According to The Miami Herald, O’Rourke attended Hialeah High before serving in Vietnam. He was killed in action on August 25, 1966.
O’Rourke lived with his parents at 241 North Melrose Drive in Miami Springs. O’Rourke had six brothers and three sisters.
Article from Aug 30, 1966 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-herald/98144545/
Article from Jan 8, 1967 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
- Ronald O’Rourke Dedication Page by Bill Tallman – The Springs Observer
- Ronald Patrick O’Rourke Dedication Page – HonorStates.org
- Virtual Vietnam Wall
1967: James Walter Brock III – USMC – Dec 1, 1946 – Nov 4, 1967
According to The Miami Herald, James W. Brock III was 20 years old when he was killed in action in Vietnam. Brock had attended Miami Springs Junior High. “His wife, Mrs. Barrie Brock of 220 Lawn Way” was expecting their first child.
James W Brock III dies in Vietnam Battle
Article from Nov 9, 1967 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) Stories and events
Article from Nov 9, 1967 The Miami News (Miami, Florida)
https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news/198690349/
Article from Nov 16, 1967 The Miami News (Miami, Florida)
- PFC James W. Brock III Dedication Page by Bill Tallman – The Springs Observer
- Honor States Dedication Page – James Walter Brock III
- The Cullman Tribune Tribute Page
1969: Fred Butler III – USMC – September 20, 1948 – Feb 22, 1969
According to The Miami Herald, Fred Butler III was a Golden Hawk graduate from Miami Springs Senior High class of 1968. He was killed on February 22, 1969 in Vietnam combat. He was “the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Butler Jr. of 212 Flagler Drive” in Miami Springs.
Article from Mar 8, 1969 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Mar 8, 1969 The Miami News (Miami, Florida)
Article from Mar 1, 1969 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
- PFC Fred Butler III Dedication Page by Bill Tallman – The Springs Observer
- Honor States Dedication Page – Fred Butler III
- Fred Butler III – Together We Served Dedication Page
- Vietnam Virtual Wall Page – Fred Butler III
1969: Bruce Wayne Carter – USMC – May 7, 1950 – Aug 7, 1969
From Wikipedia:
On August 7, 1969, while participating in Operation Idaho Canyon north of Vandegrift Combat Base, Quang Tri Province, PFC Carter’s unit was maneuvering against the enemy and came under a heavy fire from a numerically superior hostile force. The lead element soon became separated from the main body of the squad by a brush fire. PFC Carter and his fellow marines were pinned down by vicious crossfire when, with complete disregard for his safety, Carter stood in full view of the North Vietnamese Army soldiers to deliver a devastating volume of fire at their positions. The accuracy and aggressiveness of his attack caused several enemy casualties and forced the remainder of the soldiers to retreat from the immediate area. Shouting directions to the marines around PFC Carter, he then commenced leading them from the path of the rapidly approaching brush fire when he observed a hostile grenade land between him and his companions. Fully aware of the probable consequences of his action but determined to protect the men following him, PFC Carter unhesitatingly threw himself over the grenade, absorbing the full effects of its detonation with his body.
Article from Sep 10, 1971 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Aug 13, 1969 The Miami News (Miami, Florida)
Article from Jun 24, 1976 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
- PFC Bruce W. Carter Dedication Page by Bill Tallman – The Springs Observer
- Wikipedia Page – Bruce W. Carter
- Congressional Medal of Honor Society – Bruce Wayne Carter
- Marine Corps University – Bruce Wayne Carter
1960s: Expansion at Miami International Airport
In the 1960s, MIA expanded runways, terminals, and concourses to meet the demands of jet travel, cementing its role as the leading U.S.–Latin America hub. This growth boosted the local economy but also reshaped life in Miami Springs, tying the city even closer to aviation.
1969: Moon Landing
The 1969 moon landing had a profound impact on Americans, uniting the nation in a moment of shared pride and awe during a time of social and political division. Watching Neil Armstrong take humanity’s first steps on the lunar surface gave people a sense of boundless possibility and reaffirmed the power of innovation, determination, and teamwork. It symbolized the triumph of American ingenuity in the Cold War space race, inspired a generation of scientists and dreamers, and reinforced a collective belief that—through courage and cooperation—human beings could achieve the extraordinary.
The sky was no longer the limit.
January 9, 1969: Super Bowl Guarantee
On this date, the Quarterback of the New York Jets, Joe Namath, guaranteed that his team would beat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. The declaration was made at the Miami Springs Villas (part of the Curtiss Mansion estate) during the annual Miami Touchdown Club dinner.
September 1969: Construction of the Fountain on the Circle
Miami Springs Historian Ken Wilde shared the following about the Miami Springs fountain on the Circle:
1970 photo of the short lived Miami Springs Circle fountain. Miami Springs council member & former mayor R.B. Fordyce first had the idea for the fountain in 1964 but each time he brought it up at a council meeting he was outvoted. Finally in 1968 he got the project approved. Construction began in April 1968 & it was completed in September of 1969 but not dedicated until March 1970. There was lots of controversy regarding engineering contracts & cost overruns during construction but the worst was yet to come. The engineers originally informed the council that the cost of operating & maintaining the fountain would be less than $5,000 a year but it turned out the cost was $20,000 to $30,000 a year. The fountain was in operation for only a short time before it was taken out.
It was called Fordyce’s Folly, but it wouldn’t be the last folly to befall downtown Miami Springs.
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