In 2015 we warned you that the new Miami Springs pool was going to be much smaller than the grand olympic sized pool we had for over 50 years. We also informed you that much of the money was going into creating more buildings. In other words, more building space. Less pool space. Now you can see the construction of the new pool with your own eyes. Total construction cost: $5 MILLION.
Miami Springs Carriage Club (Photo courtesy Miami Springs Historical Society and Museum.)
Art Bruns opened the Carriage Club at his Miami Springs Villas Jan 15, 1959. Within a year the club had 1400 members who paid $25 each for “keys” to the club. Social status was a must to join. Membership included doctors, lawyers, judges, legislative representatives, TV personalities and other South Florida movers and shakers. In May of 1959 TV anchor Ralph Renick lead a group of Carriage Club members on a tour of Europe that included a meeting with Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev who told the group: “We Won’t Fire the First Rocket.” and Russia and the United States “would never fight each other.” .
The Fanta Sea Lounge located upstairs from The Carriage Club actually had a real bidet behind the bar used exclusively to rinse glasses(second photo). This description is from a 1971 Miami Herald Tropic Magazine article: “Every Wednesday, a bevy of young women, some single, some divorced, gather at 7 PM to drink and wait for 9 PM. Only then do the men congregated downstairs in the members only Carriage Club come upstairs and get acquainted. The way Villas owner Art Bruns figures is, where else can a single girl or a divorcee go to have fun and meet a well-heeled guy without looking like a pick up?” The Carriage Club menu in our collection was signed by pro golfer Ken Venturi.
From the Palmetto, exit at NW 36th Street and head East on NW 36th Street. Continue East on NW 36th Street and make a left hand turn (North) on East Drive. Continue North until you reach 501 East Drive.
From I-95, take I-95 to State Road 112 Westbound. Exit State Road 112 at NW 36th Street. Continue west on NW 36th Street until you reach East Drive. Make a right hand turn at East Drive (North). Continue North on East Drive until you reach 501 East Drive.
From Hialeah, take Okeechobee Road until you reach East 4th Avenue. Turn south on East 4th Avenue and cross the bridge into Miami Springs. Take the center lane and continue south onto East Drive. You’ll see Stafford Park on your left hand side and then the entrance to the Museum Parking lot at 501 East Drive.
Map to the Miami Springs Historical Society
Miami Springs Historical Museum Hours
The Museum is open each Saturday (except Christmas & New Years) from 12 Noon to 4 pm.
