The Pueblo Revival style mansion was constructed in 1925 by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, developer of Miami Springs, Hialeah and Opa-Locka. Curtiss lived at the large, two-story residence with his wife, Lena Curtiss, until his death in 1930. Mrs. Curtiss referred to the mansion as “Dar-Err-Aha,” which means “House of Happiness.”
The mansion was the largest of the Pueblo themed houses built by the Curtiss-Bright Company in its development of Country Club Estates (now Miami Springs). The landscaped estate consisted of over 30 acres with a small lake on the east side of the property. Curtiss brought many species of water birds to the lake, including flamingos and swans.
After Curtiss’s death Lena Curtiss married a friend and business associate of her husband, H. Sayre Wheeler. Wheeler served as mayor of Miami Springs from 1942 to 1944, and was also part owner of the Michaels and Wheeler Insurance Company with offices in the historic Clune-Stadnik Building on the Circle. The couple lived in the house until the late 1940s. The estate was sold in 1952 and became the world-renowned Miami Springs Villas operated by Art Bruns. It was sold to Forte Hotels, International, Inc. in the late 1970’s.
Since 1998, the Pueblo Revival-style Mansion has been the property of the City of Miami Springs. The not-for-profit Curtiss Mansion, Inc. was formed to restore and operate this historic home. It was recently voted one of the top wedding venues in Florida.
Photo Gallery of the Curtiss Mansion
Visit the Miami Springs Historical Society and Museum The Miami Springs Historical Society is located at 501 East Drive in Miami Springs.
Miami Springs Historical Society Museum
Address:
501 East Drive
Miami Springs, FL 33166
Directions:
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.
To help support our Members and volunteers’ efforts, we ask for a suggested minimum donation of $8 when visitors arrive (MS Historical Society members, and children under the age of 12 accompanied by an adult, are admitted free to this program).
