At Monday’s Miami Springs City Council Meeting, Miami Springs resident, Natalie Plasencia Calvo, presented her proposal for the Glenn Curtiss Monument and June Bug Legacy Memorial. This is an incredible step in commemorating Miami Springs history and the history of our founder, famed aviator, inventor, and developer, Glenn Curtiss.
The beautiful proposal features a bronze, life-sized sculpture of our founder, aviation pioneer, and the father of naval aviation, Glenn Hammond Curtiss. The statue would rest atop a four sided pedestal. The pedestal itself would feature bronze reliefs on each side with details on Curtiss’ legacy and many accomplishments.
Each bronze relief will highlight a unique area of accomplishment by Curtiss including:
- Aviation Pioneer – Curtiss piloting one of his early aircraft, such as the June Bug or Curtiss Jenny, commemorating his aviation milestones and role in shaping the birth of powered flight.
- Military Innovator – Depiction of Curtiss collaborating with the U.S. Navy, highlighting his contributions to seaplane development and the establishment of naval aviation training. Glenn Curtiss is considered the “father of naval aviation.”
- City Builder – A relief showing curtiss planning Miami Springs and neighboring communities, surrounded by the Mediterranean Revival architecture and palm trees – a tribute to his urban planning and development legacy. As a reminder, Curtiss along with James Bright, founded the cities of Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Opa-Locka.
- Motorcycling Legend – A panel featuring Curtiss on his V8 motorcycle, capturing his 1907 land-speed record and early engineering brilliance before entering aviation. Glenn Curtiss initially gained fame as the “Fastest Man on Earth” powering his V8 motorcycle to a speed of 136.3 mph on Ormond Beach, Florida back in 1907.
The third component of the Glenn Curtiss and June Bug Legacy Memorial is a replica of the wings of the famous June Bug airplane. You see, unlike the private first flight by the Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss was the first pilot to complete an officially observed, pre-announced public flight of over one kilometer in the United States. And the June Bug was the plane Curtiss used to accomplish the record feat back on July 4, 1908. As a result of this accomplishment, Curtiss was awarded the Scientific American Trophy.
The success of the June Bug was a turning point for Curtiss. It catapulted him into the national spotlight, brought him the backing of the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), and laid the foundation for his role in forming the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company—eventually a cornerstone of the U.S. aviation industry. This moment signaled the beginning of Curtiss’ rise as a formidable innovator and competitor in early aviation, ultimately leading to his lasting legacy as the “Father of Naval Aviation.”
We want to thank Natalie Plasencia Calvo for the beautiful concept art she created to commemorate Glenn Curtiss as the City of Miami Springs approaches its 100 year anniversary.
You may have noticed that the Glenn Curtiss Monument and June Bug Legacy Memorial concept art places the memorial at the current location of the Cavalier Clock on the northern edge of the Curtiss Parkway median right at the Circle. You can see the symmetrical placement of the art installation in the depiction below.
The Glenn Curtiss Monument and June Bug Legacy Memorial will help to keep the legacy of Glenn Curtiss alive for generations to come. More importantly, it provides an opportunity to inspire future generations of pioneers in aviation, racing, and building.
Cavalier Clock
The proposed plan would move the Cavalier Clock to Westward Drive at the Circle. In other words, the Clock would still be visible from the Circle. It would still commemorate former Miami Springs Mayor John Cavalier. And it will beautify Westward Drive.
We appreciate the thoughtfulness and care the design team put in place for not only the new Glenn Curtiss and June Bug Memorial, but also the Cavalier Clock.
We think this is a great way to beautify the Circle and Westward Drive.
Glenn Curtiss Monument
Seeing and sharing this monument is like watching a dream turning into reality. We can’t say enough good things of the work Natalie Plasencia Calvo and the entire design team did in presenting this incredible statue and monument for our community. It’s beautiful and educational. It will become a place where people come to reflect, read, learn, admire, and photograph.
This monument will also become a draw for historical tourism. It’s another magnet to bring people to downtown Miami Springs. Furthermore, it augments the beautification the city has already completed on Curtiss Parkway with the newly renovated war memorial.
Timeline of Glenn Hammond Curtiss’ Achievements
1878
🔹 Born – Glenn Hammond Curtiss is born on May 21 in Hammondsport, New York.
1902–1904
🔧 Early Engineering & Motorcycles – Begins designing and building high-performance motorcycles.
🏁 1903 – Sets a motorcycle land speed record of 64 mph.
🏁 1907 – Achieves 136.3 mph on a V8-powered motorcycle, earning the title “Fastest Man on Earth”.
1904–1907
✈️ Begins Aviation Work – Collaborates with Thomas Baldwin and Alexander Graham Bell’s Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), building powerful lightweight engines for dirigibles and early aircraft.
1908
🛩️ AEA June Bug – Designs and pilots the June Bug, which wins the Scientific American Trophy for the first public flight of over 1 km in the U.S.
🏆 Award – First American to win a prestigious aviation prize (Scientific American Trophy).
1909
🏆 International Fame – Wins the Gordon Bennett Cup in France for the fastest flight over a closed circuit (47 mph), bringing international recognition.
✈️ Curtiss No. 1 ‘Golden Flyer’ – Builds and flies his first officially recognized aircraft.
1910
📦 First Naval Aircraft – Demonstrates the feasibility of naval aviation by flying a plane from land to a ship and back.
👨✈️ Pilot Training – Opens the Curtiss Flying School, training both civilian and military pilots.
🛩️ Albany–New York Flight – Wins $10,000 for the first flight from Albany to NYC, a 150+ mile trek over the Hudson River.
🏆 Collier Trophy – Receives the Collier Trophy for the greatest achievement in aviation in America.
1911
🚢 First Shipboard Takeoff – Eugene Ely, using a Curtiss plane, performs the first takeoff from a naval ship.
📜 Licensed Aviation School – Curtiss opens the first licensed aircraft manufacturing company in the U.S.
1912–1915
🛠️ Hydroaeroplane Development – Invents and improves seaplanes, creating the first practical flying boat.
🛩️ Flying Boats Used by U.S. Navy – Sets the foundation for naval aviation.
1914–1918 (WWI)
⚙️ Mass Military Production – Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company becomes a major aircraft supplier for Allied forces.
🏭 Largest Aircraft Manufacturer – Curtiss’ company is the largest aircraft producer in the world during WWI.
✈️ Notable Designs – Develops the Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny”, one of the most famous trainer aircraft of the war.
1920
🏙️ Land Development – Begins work in real estate and urban planning in Florida, helping to found cities like Miami Springs, Hialeah, and Opa-locka.
📦 Merges with Wright Company – Curtiss Aeroplane merges with Wright Aeronautical to form Curtiss-Wright Corporation.
1930
⚰️ Death – Curtiss dies on July 23 at age 52 from complications following surgery.
Posthumous Recognition
🏅 National Aviation Hall of Fame – Inducted in 1964.
🏅 International Air & Space Hall of Fame – Inducted in 1965.
🏛️ Legacy – Museums, schools, and airports are named in his honor, recognizing his monumental role in aviation and innovation.
Monument Costs
- Phase 1
- Glenn Curtiss Memorial Bronze Statue (incl. $10,000 artist fee donation) *$80,000
- Bronze Reliefs (4) $12,000
- Statue / Clock Plinth Engineering $10,000
- Statue Plinth and Foundation $15,000
- Remove/Relocation of the Cavalier Clock $5,000
- Cavalier Clock Foundation $5,000
- Westward Side walks, lighting, landscape $10,000
- PHASE 1 TOTAL: $137,000
- Phase 2
- June Bug Legacy Memorial $88,000
- Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Tension Cable, Exhibition Wing $25,000
- Historical Plaques and Graphics (12 – 18 Stations) $15,000
- Memorial Concrete Floor $20,000
- Sidewalks $23,000
- Lighting / Landscape $5,000
- PHASE 2 TOTAL: $88,000
- TOTAL PROJECT COST: $225,000
Support for the Monument
Residents and City Council members were overwhelmingly supportive of the Glenn Curtiss Monument and June Bug Legacy Memorial. The design was applauded for being beautiful, thoughtful, and even revolutionary.
Miami Springs resident Carlos Gomez stated, “It will enhance our city…It’s just first class.”
Miami Springs Historian Ken Wilde stated, “It’s a terrific idea…No problem raising the funds…Urge the council to approve it.”
Rich Leisenring, curator emeritus at the Glenn Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York joined via Zoom and stated, “Nothing has ever been done of this magnitude for him anywhere…It’s about time he gets some kind of recognition…The design is very revolutionary”
Councilman Jorge Santin has been championing this project for a long time and stated, “We’re an aviation city…Our founder had one of the biggest impacts on this industry…He’s one of the unsung pioneers in Florida and in the United States.”
Councilman Joseph Dion raised the concerns about moving the Cavalier Clock and the overall cost. He stated “There’s a gain for us…I do firmly believe putting Miami Springs on a historic level would be great for Miami Springs.”
Councilman Fabian Perez-Crespo stated, “We have to think big…Why can’t we do something big and get national attention?”
Mayor Walter Fajet stated, “I too love the design…We have to recognize our founder…The more you know about him, the more you realize how much of an unsung hero he was…I don’t think anything symbolizes him as an innovator as much as the June Bug.”
Glenn Curtiss and the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola
Below we have included some of the recognition and some of the planes that have been restored at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
What do you think?
Do you support fund raising to create a monument for Glenn Curtiss?
Do you like the design incorporating the the June Bug as part of the Memorial?
Do you like the location of the Memorial?
Would you support fund raising for the Glenn Curtiss Monument and June Bug Legacy Memorial?
