1990s: Post Cold War Era
Miami Springs population in 1990: 13,268
1990: Eastern Strike Continues
Miami Springs Police responded to 146 strike related incidents according to The Miami Herald.
Article from Jun 17, 1990 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
1990: FDOT Plans Okeechobee Road Expansion
In this December 1990 article from The Miami Herald we can see the old four lane roadway that used to be Okeechobee Road before it was eventually expanded to a 6 lane roadway. Note that part of the bridge expansion plans included expanding our beloved entry and exit bridges on Curtiss Parkway and Hook Square.
Article from Dec 13, 1990 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
June 11, 1991: Officer Charles B. Stafford Shot on Duty
This was a horribly tragic day in Miami Springs. On this day, Miami Springs Police Officer Charles B. Stafford was killed in the line of duty.
Officer Stafford had observed a white Cadillac suspected of being stolen near Le Jeune Road and NW 36th Street. Stafford pursued the driver and pulled him over near NW 27th Avenue and the State Road 112 Expressway.
Officer Stafford was in the process of handcuffing the driver (identified as Merrit Alonzo Sims) when Sims took the Police Radio and struck Stafford in the head. Sims then took Stafford’s Glock service pistol and shot Stafford twice.
After shooting Stafford, Sims drove away and got rid of the gun. Then, Sims worked with a friend to cut off his handcuffs.
Read the full story on Charles B. Stafford, the only Miami Springs Police Officer killed in the line of duty.
Charles B. Stafford: The Only Miami Springs Police Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Article from Jun 13, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Jun 16, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
FLASHBACK – Beaver’s Kiddie Kollege
1991 – Bankruptcy and End of the Original Pan Am
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January 8, 1991: Pan Am entered bankruptcy protection after years of financial trouble.
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Early 1991: As part of restructuring, Pan Am relocated its headquarters to the Miami area in hopes of relaunching major operations from Miami and New York.
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December 4, 1991: Pan Am ceased operations entirely — its final flight (Flight 436 from Bridgetown to Miami) marked the end of over 60 years of service. This shutdown meant thousands of jobs were lost, and it directly impacted Miami International Airport’s status as one of its key hubs.
This event impacted many Miami Springs residents who worked at Pan Am for years.
FLASHBACK – HURRICANE BAR & GRILL
October, 1991: Miami Springs Flood
In October of 1991, Miami Springs was hit hard by back to back days of deluge leaving parts of Miami Springs impassible by car. After that flood, which hit Plover especially hard, a significant amount of drainage was added to reduce the flood risk. While we’ve seen flooding in other parts of Miami Springs since, the Bird section of Miami Springs has not seen this level of flooding since the October ’91 flood.
Miami Springs Flood October ’91
Article from Oct 13, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Oct 13, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Oct 26, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Nov 17, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Oct 13, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Oct 13, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
November, 1991: Runaway Car Kills 2 Teen Students in Miami Springs
According to an article published in “The Miami Herald” dated November 5, 1991, two girls were killed in Miami Springs when a car reportedly lost control and veered onto school grounds. According to the article, the victims were 14 year old Teacia Williams and 15 year old Katrina Herring.
Car Kills 2 Miami Springs Teen Students
Article from Nov 5, 1991 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
FLASHBACK – POINCIANA MOTORS
August 24, 1992: Hurricane Andrew
A day that forever changed the South Florida landscape and our respect for the power of a hurricane. Take a look back at how Hurricane Andrew impacted South Florida and Miami Springs.
Miami Springs Senior High takes in displaced students from South Dade after Hurricane Andrew devastates the area.
Miami Springs Senior High Takes in Students from South Dade
Article from Sep 17, 1992 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
High School Schedules Impacted by Hurricane Andrew
Article from Sep 20, 1992 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Sep 24, 1992 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
FLASHBACK
Who remembers the Miami Springs Schwinn Bike Shop on Westward Drive back in the 1990s?
1993: 2 Springs Students…2 Gun Possession Charges
In two separate incidents on July 29, 1993, two Miami Springs Senior High Students were allegedly caught with guns on campus according to the following report published in The Miami Herald.
Article from Aug 15, 1993 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
FLASHBACK
Remember when Ludlam was lined with tall Australian Pine Trees?
1994: Miami Springs Middle School Coach Pleads Guilty
In 1994, former Miami Springs Middle School coach, Ronald Bach, “pleaded guilty to charges that he twice fondled a 14-year-old student after luring her into his house to video tape her. Bach was 54 when he accepted the plea agreement.
History: Middle School Coach Pleads Guilty to Fondling 14 Year Old
FLASHBACK
Remember when Ludlam was lined with tall Australian Pine Trees?
May 1995: Miami Springs High Hostage and Rape Incident
In May of 1995, a 1993 Miami Springs Senior High graduate, Andrew Charles Peters, entered the Miami Springs Senior High Campus with a gun after he had allegedly kidnapped a baby and his mother who he was holding hostage. He then brandished the gun to gain entry into the music room with 13 students and a female piano teacher. That’s where Peters commanded the 12 girls in the class to remove their clothes. He then proceeded to rape a 14 year old female student in front of her sobbing classmates.
Fortunately, the band director, Bill Shepard, arrived and saw what was happening. Shepard was able to sneak in and tackle and subdue Peters. Shepard was quoted in “The Miami Herald” saying, “You can’t just sit there and watch a girl get raped…I tried to time it so he wouldn’t have an opportunity to shoot.”
Andrew Charles Peters was convicted and sentenced to 3 life terms in 1997.
History: The 1995 Miami Springs High Hostage and Rape Incident
FLASHBACK – Washington’s Gym circa 1990s
1996: “Great Wall at Miami International Airport”
The Miami-Dade County Commission (then called Metro-Dade County Commission) approved $11 Million to build a noise containment wall along NW 36th Street. It blocked the view of airport operations, but 30 years later, we all know it failed miserably at containing airport noise.
And then they wonder why we distrust government.
FLASHBACK
1997: Digital Era Begins: MiamiSprings.com Launches
Origins & Foundation
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Launch: The website was founded in 1997 by its publisher, Nestor Suarez.
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Mission: It was established to serve as a digital town square and has since grown to become the “Official Miami Springs Community Website.”
Evolution & Community Impact
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Hyperlocal News: Over the decades, MiamiSprings.com has evolved into the primary online hub for daily news, local government updates, crime reports, and community events tailored specifically for Miami Springs and neighboring Virginia Gardens.
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Historical Preservation: A standout feature of the platform is its extensive historical archive. It regularly publishes retrospectives on the city’s 1926 founding, the legacy of aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, and vintage photography. These archives frequently highlight the work of Ken Wilde, the Official City Historian of Miami Springs.
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Local Culture & Sports: The site maintains a strong focus on community life, providing ongoing coverage of local schools, high school athletics (such as the Miami Springs Senior High Golden Hawks), local business developments, and major municipal milestones like the city’s 1926–2026 Centennial celebrations.
Article from Mar 15, 1998 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida) Miamisprings.com
FLASHBACK
Just outside Miami Springs Elementary, a van with 15 kids from Miami Springs Elementary ended up
1997: Van with 15 Kids Submerges into Esplanade Canal
Just outside Miami Springs Elementary, a van with 15 kids from Miami Springs Elementary ended up submerged in the Esplanade Canal. Fortunately, everybody was able to get out of the van safely according a Miami Herald report from February 4, 1997 featured below:
Van with 15 kids ends in Miami Springs Esplanade Canal
Article from Feb 4, 1997 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
1997: The City of Miami Springs Purchases Golf Course
The City of Miami Springs purchased the golf course from the City of Miami in 1997.
Here are a few quick details about the acquisition:
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The Cost: The property was purchased for $3 million.
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The Funding: Miami Springs issued $5 million in general obligation bonds in 1997 to cover the acquisition costs, as well as fund necessary renovations and improvements to the 183-acre property.
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The Timeline: While the initial deposit and purchase agreement took place in October 1997, the city officially closed on the properties in October 1998.
Article from Aug 7, 1997 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
FLASHBACK
Sign at the Miami Springs Golf and Country Club placed shortly after the City of Miami Springs purchased the property back from the City of Miami in 1997.
July 1997: Doctor Murdered in Miami Springs
A murder in Miami Springs drew national attention during the hunt for Andrew Cunanan, suspected of killing world famous designer, Gianni Versace. It all started when Miami Springs Police responded to a burglar alarm at 1202 Dove Avenue in Miami Springs. When police arrived, the front door was unlocked. Inside they found the naked, hogtied, and murdered body of Dr. Silvio Alfonso.
History: 1997 Murder of Miami Springs Doctor…Was It Versace’s Murderer?
Article from Jul 18, 1997 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Flashback – All-Rite TV
February 2, 1998: Ground Hog Day Tornado
Take a look back at the 1998 Ground Hog Day Miami Springs Tornado. Thanks to the Wolfson Archives, we found video footage taken by WPLG’s Peter D’Oench covering the aftermath of the EF2 tornado that struck Miami Springs on February 2, 1998. Peter D’Oench interviews residents who lost their homes and cars to the tornado.
Click here to see photos and full chronological path of the storm.
Article from Feb 5, 1998 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Article from Feb 4, 1998 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
May 1998: Springs Fights to Keep Small Town Feel
In an article published by The Miami Herald, Miami Springs historian, Mary Ann Goodlett-Taylor, was quoted saying, “I often say to people, ‘If Mr. Curtiss came back to life, he’d think he was in a different planet.’ I don’t think anyone could have predicted the incredible growth in the past 70 years.”
Article from May 28, 1998 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Springs fights for small town feel part II
Article from May 28, 1998 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
FLASHBACK
July 4, 1999: Profile on John Stadnik
The Miami Herald wrote a beautiful piece on the late great John Stadnick on July 4, 1999. Read the full profile below:
Article from Jul 4, 1999 The Miami Herald (Miami, Florida)
Related Articles:
Centennial Celebrations:
